77.Subsection (1) replaces existing section 34 of the 1997 Act. This section gives the Scottish Ministers the power to set out in regulations or development order to whom, how and for how long a planning authority should give notice of an application. It sets out the types of applications for which the planning authority must give notice. It also makes provision for criteria which must be satisfied before the application can be determined. The Scottish Ministers have the power to require the planning authority to provide information on how they have carried out their functions under section 34.
78.Subsection (2) sets out minor changes to section 38 of the 1997 Act, to reflect the changes under new section 34.