Environmental Protection Act 1990

Directions to chief inspector

12 After section 12 of the 1960 Act there shall be inserted the following sections—

“12A Power of Secretary of State to give directions to chief inspector

(1) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to—

(a) an application for registration under section one or section three of this Act,

(b) an application for an authorisation under section six or section seven of this Act,

(c) any such registration or authorisation,

give directions to the chief inspector requiring him to take any of the steps mentioned in the following subsections in accordance with the directions.

(2) A direction under the preceding subsection may require the chief inspector so to exercise his powers under this Act as—

(a) to refuse an application for registration or authorisation, or

(b) to effect or grant a registration or authorisation, attaching such limitations or conditions (if any) as may be specified in the direction, or

(c) to vary a registration or authorisation, as may be so specified, or

(d) to cancel or revoke (or not to cancel or revoke) a registration or authorisation.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions to the chief inspector, as respects any registration or authorisation, requiring him to serve a notice under section 11B or section 11C of this Act in such terms as may be specified in the directions.

(4) The Secretary of State may give directions requiring the chief inspector to send such written particulars relating to, or to activities carried on in pursuance of, registrations effected or authorisations granted under any provision of this Act as may be specified in the directions to such local authorities as may be so specified.

12B Power of Secretary of State to require certain applications to be determined by him

(1) The Secretary of State may—

(a) give general directions to the chief inspector requiring him to refer applications under this Act for registrations or authorisations of any description specified in the directions to the Secretary of State for his determination; and

(b) give directions to the chief inspector in respect of any particular application requiring him to refer the application to the Secretary of State for his determination.

(2) Where an application is referred to the Secretary of State in pursuance of directions given under this section the Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held in relation to the application.

(3) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (supplementary provisions about local enquiries under that section) shall apply to inquiries in pursuance of subsection (2) above as if, in subsection (4) of that section, the words “such local authority or” were omitted.

(4) In Scotland, subsections (2) to (8) of section 210 of the [1973 c. 65.] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (power to direct inquiries) shall apply to inquiries in pursuance of subsection (2) above.

(5) After determining any application so referred, the Secretary of State may give the chief inspector directions under section 12A of this Act as to the steps to be taken by him in respect of the application.”