Part 6Deciding applications for orders granting development consent

Chapter 5Decisions on applications

I1I2104F2Decisions in cases where national policy statement has effect

1

This section applies in relation to an application for an order granting development consent if F4a national policy statement has effect in relation to development of the description to which the application relates.

2

In deciding the application the F3Secretary of State must have regard to—

a

any national policy statement which has effect in relation to development of the description to which the application relates (a “relevant national policy statement”),

F1aa

the appropriate marine policy documents (if any), determined in accordance with section 59 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009;

b

any local impact report (within the meaning given by section 60(3)) submitted to the F5Secretary of State before the deadline specified in a notice under section 60(2),

c

any matters prescribed in relation to development of the description to which the application relates, and

d

any other matters which the F3Secretary of State thinks are both important and relevant to F6the Secretary of State's decision.

3

The F7Secretary of State must decide the application in accordance with any relevant national policy statement, except to the extent that one or more of subsections (4) to (8) applies.

4

This subsection applies if the F8Secretary of State is satisfied that deciding the application in accordance with any relevant national policy statement would lead to the United Kingdom being in breach of any of its international obligations.

5

This subsection applies if the F9Secretary of State is satisfied that deciding the application in accordance with any relevant national policy statement would lead to the F10Secretary of State being in breach of any duty imposed on the Secretary of State by or under any enactment.

6

This subsection applies if the F11Secretary of State is satisfied that deciding the application in accordance with any relevant national policy statement would be unlawful by virtue of any enactment.

7

This subsection applies if the F12Secretary of State is satisfied that the adverse impact of the proposed development would outweigh its benefits.

8

This subsection applies if the F13Secretary of State is satisfied that any condition prescribed for deciding an application otherwise than in accordance with a national policy statement is met.

9

For the avoidance of doubt, the fact that any relevant national policy statement identifies a location as suitable (or potentially suitable) for a particular description of development does not prevent one or more of subsections (4) to (8) from applying.