(1)The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 is amended as follows.
(2)In section 263A(2) (National Scenic Areas), the words “the desirability of” are repealed.
(3)In section 263A (National Scenic Areas), after subsection (6)(a), insert—
“(aa)persons resident within, or adjacent to, the area of a proposed designation,
(ab)a community body (as defined by section 4(9) of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015) with an interest in the area of a proposed designation,”.
(4)After section 263A insert—
(1)Where in any year the Scottish Ministers have designated a National Scenic Area under section 263A(1), they must, as soon as practicable after the end of that year, prepare and publish a report on the consultation undertaken in regard to the designation.
(2)A report under subsection (1) must include—
(a)the ways in which views expressed by any person consulted under subsection 263A(6)(aa) and (ab) were taken into account by the Scottish Ministers before issuing a direction under section 263A(1) or (5), and
(b)how the Scottish Ministers intend to improve their consultation process before issuing any future such directions.”.