4E+W+SA joint 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,
(b)assess the importance to be attached to those considerations or aspects,
(c)give to persons an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, one or more members of the commission in accordance with paragraph 5, and
(d)report to the responsible Ministers on the matter.
5E+W+SA joint commission shall give an opportunity of appearing and being heard by one or more of its members to—
(a)in any case, the planning authority or, as the case may be, the local planning authority, if the authority so wish,
(b)in the case of a matter mentioned in section 69(2)(a), (b) or (c) of this Act or section 101(2)(a), (b) or (c) of the 1990 Act, the applicant, if he so wishes, and
(c)in the case of an application or appeal mentioned in section 69(2)(a) or (b) of this Act or section 101(2)(a) or (b) of the 1990 Act, any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the application or appeal which the planning authority are required to take into account under section 38(1) or (2) of this Act or, as the case may be, the local planning authority are required to take into account under section 71(1) or (2) of the 1990 Act.
6E+W+SA joint commission may, with the approval of the Ministers and at their expense, arrange for the carrying out, by themselves or others, of research of any kind appearing to them to be relevant to a referred matter.
7E+W+SThe provisions of sections 46(5) and 48(2) of this Act and sections 77(5) and 79(2) of the 1990 Act and the provisions of Schedule 4 to this Act and Schedule 6 to the 1990 Act, relating to the giving 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 joint commission.