Prospective
4(1)Before preparing a national marine plan or a regional marine plan, the Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a statement of public participation in relation to each such category of plan (an “SPP”).S
(2)An SPP is a statement of the policies settled by the Scottish Ministers as to when consultation is likely to take place and with whom, its likely form, and the steps to be taken to involve the general public in the stages of preparation or review of the proposed national marine plan or (as the case may be) the proposed regional marine plan.
(3)An SPP must invite the making of representations in accordance with it as to matters to be included in the proposed marine plan.
(4)The Scottish Ministers must publish an SPP in such manner as they consider is most likely to bring it to the attention of interested persons.
(5)The Scottish Ministers must take all reasonable steps to comply with an SPP.