56.—(1) An application by a planning authority for hazardous substances consent, or an application by a planning authority under section 11 (applications for removal of conditions attached to hazardous substances consent) or 15 (revocation of hazardous substances consent on change of control of part of land) of the principal Act is to be made to the Scottish Ministers.
(2) Regulations 5 (notice to owner by applicants), 6 (applications for hazardous substances consent), 7 (applications for removal of conditions), 8 (applications for continuation of hazardous substances consent where there has been a change in the person in control of part of the land), 9 (neighbour notification by planning authorities) and 10 (publication of receipt of applications by planning authorities), 13 (further information), 14 (consultation before determination of applications), 15 (representations) and 18(1) to (4) and (6) (decision notices on applications under regulation 6, 7 or 8) apply to applications made to the Scottish Ministers by a planning authority as they apply to applications made to a planning authority, with the modification that “a planning authority” and “the planning authority” are to be read as “the Scottish Ministers”.
(3) For the purpose of regulation 41 (register of hazardous substances consents) an application under regulation 6, 7 or 8 made to the Scottish Ministers by a planning authority is to be treated as an application made to the planning authority and referred to the Scottish Ministers under section 18 of the principal Act.
(4) Section 7 of the principal Act (determination of applications for hazardous substances consent) applies in relation to an application made to the Scottish Ministers by a planning authority as it applies in relation to an application made to a planning authority.
(5) For the purpose of section 20 of the principal Act (validity of decisions as to applications) a decision of the Scottish Ministers on an application made to them by a planning authority is to be treated as a decision under section 18.