Where an applicant is aggrieved by a decision under section 17 of this Act of F1SEPA, he may, within the period of twenty-eight days beginning with the day on which he received that decision, appeal by notice in writing to the Secretary of State; and the applicant shall, within that time, serve a copy of the notice on F1SEPA.

Where an appeal is brought under this paragraph, the Secretary of State may allow or dismiss it or may attach fresh conditions to the licence or may cancel or vary any condition already attached, whether the appeal relates to that condition or not.

Where any objections have been made under paragraph 1(3) above, the Secretary of State, before determining the appeal, shall require F1SEPA to serve on any such objector a copy of the notice of appeal; and the Secretary of State, in determining the appeal, shall take into account any further objections made in writing by any such person and received by him within such time as he may direct.

Before determining any appeal under this paragraph, the Secretary of State may, if the appellant or F1SEPA or any objector so requests, afford to them an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Secretary of State for that purpose.

The decision of the Secretary of State on any appeal under this paragraph shall be final.

This paragraph is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).