PART 2SDETERMINING WHETHER EIA IS REQUIRED

Screening opinions – time period for decisionS

13.—(1) Where the [F1Scottish Ministers] receive a request for a screening opinion under regulation 12(1), they must F2... adopt a screening opinion on or before—

(a)the expiry of the period of 28 days beginning with the date of receipt of the request;

(b)the expiry of such longer period, not exceeding the period of 90 days beginning with the date of receipt of the request, as may be agreed in writing between the [F1Scottish Ministers] and the applicant; or

(c)where notice is given under paragraph (2), the date specified in the notice as the date by which the [F1Scottish Ministers] are to adopt a screening opinion.

(2) Where the [F3Scottish Ministers] consider that due to exceptional circumstances relating to the nature, complexity, location or size of the forestry project proposed that it is not practicable for them to adopt a screening opinion within the period of 90 days beginning with the date of receipt of the request, the [F3Scottish Ministers] may extend that period by notice in writing given to the applicant.

(3) Notice under paragraph (2) must state the [F4Scottish Ministers’] justification for the extension and specify the date by which [F5they] are to adopt a screening opinion pursuant to the request.

(4) The [F6Scottish Ministers] must, if they consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to adopt a screening opinion, notify the applicant in writing of the points on which they require further information.

F7(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), the date on which a request for a screening opinion under regulation 12(1) is to be taken to have been received is the date on which the last of the items or information required to be contained in or accompany a request for a screening opinion in accordance with regulation 12(2) is received by the [F8Scottish Ministers].

Textual Amendments