reg 10 Scoping opinions
(1) After receiving a screening decision that a project is a significant project, but before applying for consent, the applicant may ask Natural England to provide its opinion on the scope and level of detail of information which should be provided in the environmental statement (“a scoping opinion”). (1A) The request must include— (a) a plan sufficient to identify the land, (b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the significant project (including its location and technical capacity), (c) an explanation of the likely significant effects of the significant project on the environment, and (d) any other information or representations which the applicant wishes to provide or make. (2) If the applicant requests a scoping opinion, Natural England must consult the applicant and such of the consultation bodies as it thinks fit before providing its opinion. (3) If Natural England 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. (4) Natural England must provide the applicant with the scoping opinion within 5 weeks of— (a) the date it received the request for a scoping opinion; or (b) where applicable, the date it received the additional information requested under paragraph (3) .