7.—(1) Where an EIA application is made to the Commissioners, they may (subject to regulation 3(2) and regulation 25)—
(a)grant EIA consent subject only to the mandatory conditions or also subject to such further conditions as they think fit; or
(b)refuse to grant EIA consent.
(2) The Commissioners must determine an EIA application before the expiry of the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which the Commissioners receive the EIA application or within such other period as may be agreed with the applicant.
(3) Despite paragraph (2), the Commissioners must not determine an EIA application before the expiry of any period referred to in regulation 18(2)(f), 19(1)(b) or, where relevant, regulation 27.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2), the date on which the Commissioners receive the EIA application is the date on which the Commissioners are in receipt of—
(a)the EIA application;
(b)the accompanying EIA report;
(c)any supplementary information requested by the Commissioners under regulation 21(2);
(d)any evidence requested by the Commissioners under regulation 21(4); and
(e)any other additional information provided by the applicant.