Adequacy of Accompanying Documents and General Principles
The next item on the agenda is consideration of written evidence received on the adequacy of the accompanying documents and the general principles of the bill. That evidence was circulated to all members last week. Twenty-two submissions on the adequacy of the accompanying documents and the general principles of the bill have been received. I thank all who responded to our request for information. The evidence will be vital in assisting us to consider the bill's objectives. Members will note that five of the submissions come from the mandatory consultees: the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council.
Under standing order rule 9A.6A, relevant mandatory consultees can make a statement in relation to the consultation that the promoter undertook. The committee will also note the substantial submission from the promoter in response to a number of questions that we had about the general principles and the accompanying documents. For ease of reference, that response has been divided into parts. It will no doubt be of assistance to us in questioning the promoter during our oral evidence taking next month. Given the breadth and range of information that was provided in the submission, I hope that any future responses from the promoter will be much more concise and considerably smaller.
Members have indicated that they have no general comments on the evidence that we have received. I invite members to note the responses alongside the comments that have been made on the objections. I also invite members to agree to consider the written responses and the comments on objections during our oral evidence-taking meetings.
Members indicated agreement.