(1)This section applies to a development if the appropriate authority certifies—
(a)that the development is of national importance, and
(b)that it is necessary that the development is carried out as a matter of urgency.
(2)The appropriate authority may, instead of making an application for planning permission to the planning authority in accordance with Part 3, make an application for planning permission to the Scottish Ministers under this section.
(3)If the appropriate authority proposes to make the application to the Scottish Ministers, it must publish in one or more newspapers circulating in the locality of the proposed development a notice—
(a)describing the proposed development, and
(b)stating that the authority proposes to make the application to the Scottish Ministers.
(4)For the purposes of an application under this section the appropriate authority must provide to the Scottish Ministers—
(a)any matter required to be provided by an applicant for planning permission in pursuance of regulations made under section 40,
(b)a statement of the authority’s grounds for making the application.
(5)If the appropriate authority makes an application under this section subsections (6) to (11) below apply.
(6)The Scottish Ministers may require the authority to provide them with such further information as they think necessary to enable them to determine the application.
(7)As soon as practicable after they are provided with any document or other matter in pursuance of subsection (4) or (6) the Scottish Ministers must make a copy of the document or other matter available for inspection by the public in the locality of the proposed development.
(8)The Scottish Ministers must in accordance with such requirements as they may specify in a development order publish notice of the application and of the fact that such documents and other material are available for inspection.
(9)The Scottish Ministers must consult—
(a)the planning authority, and
(b)such other persons as may be so specified,
about the application.
(10)Subsection (7) above does not apply to the extent that the document or other matter is subject to any direction given under section 265A(3) of this Act.
(11)Subsections (4) to (7) of section 46 apply to an application under this section as they apply to an application in respect of which a direction under section 46 has effect.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 242A inserted (20.3.2006 for specified purposes, 11.5.2006 in so far as not already in force) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), ss. 92(1), 121(4) (with s. 111); S.S.I. 2006/101, art. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2006/243, art. 3