4. Regulation 13 is to be read as if it provided—
“(1) Where a proposed local development order is EIA development, the local planning authority must state its opinion as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement (“a scoping opinion”).
(2) A scoping opinion under paragraph (1) must include—
(a)a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(c)such other information or representations as the local planning authority may wish to provide or make.
(3) An authority must not adopt a scoping opinion until they have consulted the consultees.
(4) Before adopting a screening opinion the authority must take into account—
(a)the specific characteristics of the particular development;
(b)the specific characteristics of development of the type concerned; and
(c)the environmental features likely to be affected by the development.”