The Flood Risk Management (Flood Protection Schemes, Potentially Vulnerable Areas and Local Plan Districts) (Scotland) Regulations 2010

Screening opinions

5.—(1) Where, at any of the stages referred to in regulation 4(1), a local authority considers that a proposed flood protection scheme is not likely to have a significant effect on the environment, it shall request a screening opinion from each of the consultative bodies.

(2) A request for a screening opinion must be accompanied by—

(a) a plan sufficient to identify the site which is the subject of the proposed scheme and any land that may be affected by it or over which access may be required;

(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the proposed scheme and of its possible effects on the environment;

(c) where it is proposed that the scheme be confirmed with modifications, a summary of the modifications; and

(d) where further details of scheme operations are to be submitted for approval in compliance with a condition of deemed planning permission, a summary of the further details.

(3) A request for a screening opinion may be accompanied by such further information or representations as the local authority may wish to provide or make.

(4) Within three weeks of receiving a request for a screening opinion, a consultative body must, if it considers that it has not been provided with sufficient information to give an opinion, give notice to the local authority of the particular points on which it requires further information, and the local authority must provide such further information as it is reasonably able to provide.

(5) When a consultative body considers that it has sufficient information it must give a screening opinion within three weeks of whichever is the later of—

(a) the date of receipt of the request for a screening opinion; and

(b) the date by which it has received the further information referred to in paragraph (4).

(6) Where a consultative body concludes that the proposed scheme is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, it must provide with its screening opinion a written statement giving full reasons for its conclusion.