Regulation 10 Scoping opinionsI1

After receiving a screening decision that a project is a significant project, but before applying for consent, the applicant may ask the Department to provide its opinion on F1the scope and level of detail of information which should be provided in the environmental statement (“a scoping opinion”).

The request must include the screening decision and all relevant documentation provided under regulation 7 along with any other information or representation the applicant wishes to provide or make.

If the applicant requests a scoping opinion, the Department must consult the applicant and such of the consultation bodies as it thinks fit before providing its opinion.

If the Department considers that it does not have sufficient information to provide a scoping opinion, it may ask the applicant to supply any additional information it requires within 28 days of the date on which it received the request for the scoping opinion.

Subject to paragraph (5), the Department shall provide the applicant with the scoping opinion within 35 days of—

whichever is later.

The Department may agree, in writing, with an applicant such extension as is reasonable in the circumstances of the period of 35 days within which it shall provide the applicant with a scoping decision under paragraph (4).