Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997

Local inquiries and hearings

6 (1) Whether or not the parties to an appeal have asked for an opportunity to appear and be heard, an appointed person—

(a) may hold a local inquiry in connection with the appeal, and

(b) shall do so if the Secretary of State so directs.

(2) Where an appointed person—

(a) holds a hearing by virtue of paragraph 2(4), or

(b) holds an inquiry by virtue of this paragraph,

an assessor may be appointed by the Secretary of State to sit with the appointed person at the hearing or inquiry to advise him on any matters arising, notwithstanding that the appointed person is to determine the appeal.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), the expenses of any such hearing or inquiry shall be paid by the Secretary of State.

(4) Subsections (4) to (13) of section 265 apply to an inquiry held under this paragraph as they apply to an inquiry held under that section.

(5) The appointed person has the same power to make orders under subsection (9) of that section in relation to proceedings under this Schedule which do not give rise to an inquiry as he has in relation to such an inquiry.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph, references to the Minister in subsections (9) and (12) of that section shall be treated as references to the appointed person.