Consultation
To determine the impact of a development, a number of bodies are consulted for their views.
Statutory consultees include the relevant Planning Authority (usually the local council); Scottish Natural Heritage; the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and in the case of hydro schemes, the Fisheries Committee.
In addition to these statutory consultees, a wide range of other organisations, such as Historic Scotland, RSPB, National Air Traffic Services, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, roads authorities, telecommunications organisations are consulted.
A full consultee list is available.
The relevant planning authority has 4 months (2 months for Section 37) in which to respond to an application consultation. All other organisations and members of the public are required to respond within 28 days of the date of the last advert. All responses are copied to the planning authority and to the applicant. The applicant is then invited to comment on the points / questions raised by consultees and, if necessary, can provide further information. All consultation responses received will be considered in determining the application in the context of statutory requirements and planning guidance.
In addition, press notices, placed by the developer, must contain details about the application and where copies of the Environmental Statement, maps, non technical summary etc, can be obtained or viewed. The notice must also state a date by which representations on the application must be sent to the Scottish Ministers.