19.This section describes the process for the making of applications. Subsection (1) provides the Scottish Ministers with the power to make on application an order. The application has to be made in accordance with rules that will be made under this section.
20.Subsection (2) provides details of the matters on which the Scottish Ministers can make rules relating to the application, the documentation and information to be submitted in support of the application, the notice and publication arrangements and the conduct, scope and manner of the pre-application consultation.
21.Subsection (3) enables the rules to require the Scottish Ministers to provide an opinion on the information to be supplied with an application. This power could be exercised to scope the environmental information required in connection with a development. The subsection also covers publicity for that information.
22.Subsection (4)(a) provides that the rules under the section can require compliance with directions in relation to matters concerning relevant authorities providing information for a project and pre-application consultation. Subsection (7) provides a non-exhaustive list of those bodies who may be required to provide information.
23.The ability for the Scottish Ministers to set fees for the making of applications is contained within subsection (6).