3(1)If a person requests a local planning authority to make or alter a simplified planning zone scheme but the authority—E+W
(a)refuse to do so, or
(b)do not within the period of three months from the date of the request decide to do so,
he may, subject to sub-paragraph (2), require them to refer the matter to the Secretary of State.
(2)A person may not require the reference of the matter to the Secretary of State if—
(a)in the case of a request to make a scheme, a simplified planning zone scheme relating to the whole or part of the land specified in the request has been adopted or approved within the 12 months preceding his request;
(b)in the case of a request to alter the scheme, the scheme to which the request relates was adopted or approved, or any alteration to it has been adopted or approved, within that period.
(3)The Secretary of State shall, as soon as practicable after a matter is referred to him—
(a)send the authority a copy of any representations made to him by the applicant which have not been made to the authority, and
(b)notify the authority that if they wish to make any representations in the matter they should do so, in writing, within 28 days.
(4)After the Secretary of State has—
(a)considered the matter and any written representations made by the applicant or the authority, and
(b)carried out such consultations with such persons as he thinks fit,
he may give the authority a simplified planning zone direction.
(5)The Secretary of State shall notify the applicant and the authority of his decision and of his reasons for it.