• There is a need for clarity in the pre-application discussions undertaken, to avoid subsequent delays in decision-making.
• Statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency should be involved in these discussions so they can clearly explain to the applicant what the regulator requires.
• Pre-application discussions provide the applicant and the LPA with the ideal opportunity to clarify concerns and issues at the outset, and therefore to accelerate the determination process.
• An outcome from these discussions should include an initial view on the scope of any EIA and at the appropriate time this will need to be followed up by a request for a formal scoping opinion.
• The opportunity should be taken to discuss the proposed determination timetable so that unrealistic expectations are avoided.