SCHEDULE 1 Procedures for Making or Confirming Certain Orders and Schemes
Part II Schemes Under Sections 7 and 75(3)
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(1)
Subject to paragraph 19 below, after considering objections (if any) to the proposed scheme which are not withdrawn and, where a local inquiry is held, the report of the person who held the inquiry, the Secretary of State may make or confirm the scheme either without modification or subject to such modifications as he thinks fit.
F1(1A)
Where the Scottish Ministers have published an environmental statement they shall take into consideration–
(a)
that statement; and
(b)
any opinion expressed by a member of the public, by any of the consultation bodies or by any EEA State consulted under section 20B of this Act.
(1B)
When the Scottish Ministers have decided whether to proceed with the project in relation to which an environmental impact assessment has been made they shall publish their decision together with a statement confirming that they have complied with sub-paragraph (1A) above and shall make available to the public documents containing–
(a)
the content of the decision and any conditions attached to it;
(b)
the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and
(c)
where their decision is to proceed with the project, a description of the main measures which will be taken to avoid, reduce and if possible offset any major adverse effects of the project.
(1C)
Any requirement for publication in connection with an environmental impact assessment shall be met by publication in The Edinburgh Gazette and in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area in which the project is situated.
(2)
The power under this paragraph to make or confirm the scheme includes power to make or confirm it so far as relating to part of the proposals contained in it (either without modification or subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State thinks fit) while deferring consideration of the remaining part.