Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997

3 (1) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, direct that an appeal which would otherwise fall to be determined by an appointed person shall instead be determined by the Secretary of State. S

(2) Such a direction shall state the reasons for which it is given and shall be served on the appellant, the planning authority and any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the appeal which the authority are required to take into account under section 38(2) and, if any person has been appointed under paragraph 1, on him.

(3) Where in consequence of such a direction an appeal falls to be determined by the Secretary of State himself, the provisions of this Act which are relevant to the appeal shall, subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, apply to the appeal as if this Schedule had never applied to it.

(4) The Secretary of State shall give the appellant, the planning authority and any person who has made any such representations as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Secretary of State for that purpose if—

(a) the reasons for the direction raise matters with respect to which any of those persons have not made representations, or

(b) in the case of the appellant or the planning authority, either of them was not asked in pursuance of paragraph 2(2) whether they wish to appear before and be heard by the appointed person, or expressed no wish in answer to that question, or expressed a wish to appear and be heard, but was not given an opportunity of doing so.

(5) Sub-paragraph (4) does not apply in the case of an appeal under section 47 if the appeal is referred to a Planning Inquiry Commission under section 69.

(6) Except as provided by sub-paragraph (4), the Secretary of State need not give any person an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed for the purpose, or of making fresh representations or making or withdrawing any representations already made.

(7) In determining the appeal the Secretary of State may take into account any report made to him by any person previously appointed to determine it.