7 Approval or rejection of structure plan by Secretary of State.S
(1)The Secretary of State may, after considering a structure plan submitted (or resubmitted) to him, either approve it (in whole or in part and with or without modifications or reservations) or reject it.
(2)In considering any such plan the Secretary of State may take into account any matters which he thinks are relevant, whether or not they were taken into account in the plan as submitted to him.
[F1(3)Where on taking any such plan into consideration the Secretary of State does not determine then to reject it, he shall, before determining whether or not to approve it—
(a)consider any objections to the plan, so far as they are made in accordance with regulations under this Part of this Act, and
[F2(b)if, but only if, it appears to him that an examination in public should be held of any matter affecting his consideration of the plan, cause a person or persons, appointed by him for the purpose, to hold such an examination.]
(4)The Secretary of State may make regulations with respect to the procedure to be followed at any examination under subsection (3) of this section.
(5)The Secretary of State shall not be required to secure to any planning authority or other person a right to be heard at any examination under the said subsection (3), and the bodies and persons who may take part therein shall be such only as he may, whether before or during the course of the examination, in his discretion invite to do so:
Provided that the person or persons holding the examination shall have power, exercisable either before or during the course of the examination, to invite additional bodies or persons to take part therein if it appears to him or them desirable to do so.
(6)An examination under subsection (3)(b) of this section shall constitute a statutory inquiry for the purposes of section 1(1)(c) of the M1Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971, but shall not constitute such an inquiry for any other purpose of that Act.
(7)On considering a structure plan the Secretary of State may consult with, or consider the views of, any planning authority or other person, but shall not be under any obligation to do so.
(8)On exercising his powers under subsection (1) of this section in relation to any structure plan, the Secretary of State shall give such statement as he considers appropriate of the reasons governing his decision.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 7(3)–(8) substituted for s. 7(3)(4) by Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), s. 175(1)
F2S. 7(3)(b) substituted by Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 (c. 43), s. 36.
Marginal Citations