Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

3(1)After the expiration of one month from the date of the last publication of the notice mentioned in paragraph 2( a), the Ministry,—N.I.

(a)after considering all representations which have been made to the Ministry by any interested party; and

(b)after causing a local inquiry to be held (unless no representations have been made, or any representations have been met or withdrawn or relate solely to the amount of compensation, or are representations which the Ministry is satisfied are solely of a frivolous or vexatious nature);

may,—

(i)make a vesting order, which may contain any modifications of the council's proposal that the Ministry thinks proper, vesting in the council all or any part of the land for an estate in fee simple or for such other estate as may be specified in the vesting order; or

(ii)refuse to make the order.

(2)If a local inquiry is held as aforesaid, the council and any person interested in the land, and such other persons as the person holding the inquiry may allow, shall be permitted to appear, in person or by a representative, and to be heard at the inquiry, and, before making or refusing a vesting order, the Ministry shall consider the report of the person who held the inquiry.