This section sets out the consultation and publicity requirements referred to in sections 5(4) and 6(7).
In this section "the proposal" means—
the statement that the Secretary of State proposes to designate as a national policy statement for the purposes of this Act, or
(as the case may be) the proposed amendment.
The Secretary of State must consult such persons, and such descriptions of persons, as may be prescribed.
If the policy set out in the proposal identifies one or more locations as suitable (or potentially suitable) for a specified description of development, the Secretary of State must ensure that appropriate steps are taken to publicise the proposal.
The Secretary of State must have regard to the responses to the consultation and publicity in deciding whether to proceed with the proposal.