12.—(1) In the event that a laying becomes vacant, before granting a new lease, the Grantee must—
(a)advertise the opportunity to apply for a lease on their website and in at least one local newspaper;
(b)publish on their website the criteria the Grantee will use to assess the applications received;
(c)allow a period of at least 28 days for submission of applications; and
(d)assess all applications according to published criteria and in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) When assessing applications received from prospective tenants, the Grantee must have regard to whether applicants can demonstrate either —
(a)evidence of competence to safely operate a laying; or
(b)proposals to obtain relevant training or qualifications to acquire competence to safely operate a laying.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a laying becomes vacant if the tenant of that laying—
(a)surrenders their lease to the Grantee;
(b)forfeits their lease to the Grantee; or
(c)at the expiry of the term of one lease, does not seek a new lease.