17.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where a planning authority has received an application under regulation 6, 7 or 8, as the case may be, the authority must give notice to the applicant of their determination or referral of the application to the Scottish Ministers under section 18 of the principal Act within a period of 2 months after the validation date or such extended period as may be agreed in writing between the applicant and the planning authority.
(2) An application under regulation 6, 7 or 8, as the case may be, is not to be determined until after the latest of the date of expiry of—
(a)the period allowed for the making of representations specified in the notice given in accordance with regulation 5(1) (notice to owner by applicants);
(b)the period allowed for the making of representations specified in the notice given in accordance with regulation 9(1) (neighbour notification by planning authorities);
(c)the period allowed for the making of representations specified in the notice given in accordance with regulation 10 (publication of receipt of application by planning authorities); or
(d)the period of notice given by the planning authority in accordance with regulation 14(4)(a)(vi).
(3) The period of notice referred to in paragraph (2)(d) begins with the date on which all bodies and other persons who the planning authority are required to consult under regulation 14 have been given notice in accordance with that regulation.
(4) The period prescribed for the purposes of section 16(7) of the principal Act (determination of applications for continuation of hazardous substances consent) is the period of 2 months after the validation date.