20. Section 28 of the Principal Act is amended by—

(a) substituting the following subsection for subsection (1C):

“(1C) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), guidelines under that subsection may contain specific planning policy requirements with which planning authorities, regional assemblies and the Board shall, in the performance of their functions, comply.”,

and

(b) inserting the following subsection:

“(1D) A strategic environmental assessment or an appropriate assessment shall, as the case may require, be conducted in relation to a draft of guidelines proposed to be issued under subsection (1).”.