21.—(1) A request for an opinion under regulation 7(2) of the Marine Minerals Regulations(1) which has not been determined before 6th April 2011 must be treated as a request for a scoping opinion under regulation 13(1) of the Marine Works Regulations.
(2) If it is satisfied that any step which is required to be taken by the regulator under regulation 7(3) or (4) of the Marine Minerals Regulations has been taken, the appropriate authority may treat that step as taken in accordance with any corresponding requirement in paragraph 6 or 7 of Schedule 4 to the Marine Works Regulations.
(3) A scoping opinion given under regulation 7(2) of the Marine Minerals Regulations has effect as a scoping opinion given under regulation 13(2) of and paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Marine Works Regulations.
Regulation 7(2) of the Marine Minerals Regulations provides for the regulator to give an opinion (otherwise known as a “scoping opinion”) as to the information to be provided by an environmental statement.