Once the consultation period has ended, Scottish Forestry will consider the responses received.
- if no further information is required from the applicant then Scottish Forestry will complete its assessment, including EIA screening within 28 days (or other longer period)
- if further information is required, Scottish Forestry will complete its assessment within 28 days of receiving the additional information from the applicant
4.1 - UKFS compliance
Scottish Forestry will assess the final proposal against UKFS before making an EIA screening decision (if required).
Scottish Forestry will email the outcome of the UKFS assessment to the applicant.
4.2 - Environmental Impact Assessment process
Scottish Forestry has produced separate guidance which covers the EIA screening and the Application for EIA Consent processes in detail.
The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)
Woodland creation proposals, including grant applications that are above the EIA afforestation threshold, must be screened under the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.
Requests for EIA screening can be submitted as per stage 2.
4.2.1 - Screening
When Scottish Forestry have sufficient information to screen a proposal, in most cases, a screening opinion will be issued within 28 days.
Apply for an EIA screening opinion
- if Scottish Forestry conclude that the proposal is not likely to have significant effects on the environment then the proposal can proceed to Stage 5: Grant application
- if grant support is being sought or proceed to implement the proposal on the ground if support is not sought
- if additional information is required, Scottish Forestry will request that from the applicant within the 28 day period
The 28 day period for making a screening decision begins once Scottish Forestry have sufficient information to make their decision.
If a case is complex, Scottish Forestry, can extend the timeframe up to 90 days as agreed in writing between Scottish Forestry and the applicant.
In exceptional circumstances, Scottish Forestry may extend that period beyond 90 days by giving notice in writing to the applicant.
When Scottish Forestry make their screening decision it will be sent to the applicant, together with a written statement giving the main reasons for the decision and published on the Public Register.
View the Public Register of EIA screening opinions
Applicants must tell stakeholders that an EIA screening opinion has been published and forward the weblink to the decision (provided by Scottish Forestry).
Step No.? - Application for EIA Consent
Cam note - what about - Scoping - EIA Report - Public Register - EIA decision
