If it appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient, having regard to considerations affecting the public interest (whether generally or in the locality concerned), that any compliance determination application to an authority, or any class or description of such applications, should instead of being determined by the authority be referred to him for decision, he may give directions to the authority requiring that application, or applications of that class or description, to be so referred.

This Schedule shall apply to any such reference as if it were an appeal under paragraph 6(2) following the failure of the authority to determine the application.