4.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (6) below, an eligible person who wishes to obtain financial assistance towards the cost of any measure to be undertaken under the Scheme may submit an application to the Scottish Ministers for approval which shall be in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph.
(2) An application shall be made in writing in such form as the Scottish Ministers reasonably may require and shall include–
(a)sufficient information to show that the measure is being undertaken by an eligible person;
(b)confirmation that the measure is located within the scheme area;
(c)a description of the measure proposed;
(d)a statement that the measure could not proceed without financial assistance under the Scheme;
(e)sufficient information to show that the measure is of a nature and is likely to meet at least one of the objectives specified in paragraph 3 of this Scheme within the scheme area; and
(f)confirmation–
(i)as to what public funding (if any) towards the cost of the measure has been sought, otherwise than under this Scheme; and
(ii)that it is not intended to seek any public funding towards such costs, otherwise than under this Scheme.
(3) The applicant shall furnish to the Scottish Ministers such further information and evidence in relation to the application as the Scottish Ministers reasonably may require in order to allow proper consideration of the application.
(4) An eligible person may submit more than one application under this paragraph.
(5) An application shall not be submitted in respect of more than one eligible business, unless it is an application in respect of a collaborative venture.
(6) The Scottish Ministers may at any time suspend the operation of the Scheme and, while so suspended, no application under sub-paragraph (1) above may be submitted to them.