287.Where a local authority receives a valid objection, it must make a preliminary decision under paragraph 5 to either confirm the proposed scheme, with or without modifications, or to reject the scheme. In arriving at its decision, sub-paragraph (2) sets out that the local authority must consider any valid objections (unless withdrawn) and may consider any late objections if the authority is satisfied that it was reasonable for the respondent to make the objection after the deadline. These matters are not exclusive and the local authority may consider any other factors it considers appropriate.
288.The local authority must, under sub-paragraph (3), give notice of its preliminary decision to either confirm the proposed scheme, with or without modifications, or to reject the scheme, to every person who made an objection which it considered. Any person who made such an objection is a relevant objector. Where a relevant objector falls within sub-paragraph (6), then sub-paragraph (5) requires the local authority to give the Scottish Ministers notice of its decision along with other material including the scheme documents and copies of all objections received. The relevant objectors falling within sub-paragraph (6) are: those with an affected interest in land; authorised persons under an improvement order made under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958 where land affected by the order would have work carried out on it under the scheme; and the specified consultees.