32A.—(1) A person who intends to apply for permission under this Part—

(a) for large-scale residential development,

(b) on land—

(i) that is not located in a strategic development zone, and

(ii) the zoning of which facilitates its use for the purposes proposed in the application,

(referred to in this Act as a "prospective LRD applicant") shall not make the application unless at that time he or she holds an LRD opinion, or written confirmation referred to in section 247(7), in relation to the proposed LRD provided not more than 6 months before the date of the application.

(2) A planning authority shall refuse to consider an application for permission—

(a) for large-scale residential development,

(b) on land—

(i) that is not located in a strategic development zone, and

(ii) the zoning of which facilitates its use for the purposes proposed in the application,

unless it is satisfied that the applicant holds an LRD opinion, or written confirmation referred to in section 247(7), in relation to the proposed LRD provided not more than 6 months before the date of the application.

(3) Where a planning authority refuses to consider an application for permission under subsection (2), it shall return the application to the applicant, together with any fee received from the applicant in respect of the application, and shall give reasons for its decision to the applicant.]