9A commission inquiring into a referred matter shall—
(a)identify and investigate the considerations relevant to, or the technical or scientific aspects of, that matter which in their opinion are relevant to the question whether the proposed development should be permitted to be carried out, and assess the importance to be attached to those considerations or aspects ;
(b)thereafter, comply with paragraph 10 below in respect of affording to persons an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, one or more members of the commission ;
(c)report to the responsible Ministers on the said matter.
10A commission shall afford the following persons an opportunity of appearing and being heard as aforesaid:—
(a)in any case, the local planning authority, if the authority so desire ;
(b)in the case of a matter mentioned in section 62(1)(a), (b) or (c) of this Act or section 62(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Act of 1968, the applicant, if he so desires ; and
(c)in the case of an application or appeal mentioned in either of the said sections 62(1)(a) or (b), any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the application or appeal which the local planning authority are required to take into account under section 35(4) or 36(4) of the Act of 1959 or section 17(2) or (3) of the Act of 1962.
11(1)The provisions of section 13(2) of the Act of 1947 and of that subsection as applied by section 14(2) of that Act, and of sections 22(6) and 23(4) of this Act, relating to the affording of an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Secretary of State, shall not apply to an application for planning permission, or an appeal, referred to a commission.
(2)Sections 22(5) and 23(5) of the Act of 1962 (duty of Minister of Housing and Local Government to afford parties a hearing in cases of called-in applications for planning permission and appeals), and sections 21(6) and 22(4) of the Act of 1968 (corresponding provision in relation to appeal determined by a person appointed by the Minister under Part III of that Act) shall not apply to an application for planning permission, or an appeal, referred to a commission.