8.—(1) An appeal made under section 37(1) (appeals against notices under section 36) must be made by notice in writing given to the Secretary of State.
(2) An appeal may only be made during the period allowed for compliance with the notice, to be determined in accordance with section 36(4).
(3) A notice of appeal under paragraph (1) must—
(a)be submitted in duplicate;
(b)state the grounds of the appeal by specifying the paragraph or paragraphs of section 37(1) under which the appeal is made, that is to say by specifying paragraph (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (b);
(c)be accompanied—
(i)in respect of each paragraph so specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (b), by a statement of the facts and reasons on which the appeal, or that part of the appeal, is based;
(ii)by a copy of the notice served under section 36 to which the appeal relates; and
(iii)by a copy of any other relevant documents.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the Secretary of State must send to the local authority a copy of the notice of appeal and of any other document submitted by the appellant under this regulation.
(5) Where paragraph (6) applies, the Secretary of State must withhold from the local authority—
(a)any statement provided under paragraph (3)(c)(i) in respect of any appeal made under paragraph (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of section 37(1); and
(b)any other document provided by the appellant which contains such information.
(6) This paragraph applies if the Secretary of State determines that the disclosure of any information given by the appellant would—
(a)prejudice to an unreasonable degree any private interest relating to a trade secret, or
(b)be contrary to the public interest.
(7) The Secretary of State may, if the Secretary of State thinks fit, require the appellant or the local authority to submit within a specified period a further statement in writing in respect of any of the matters to which the appeal relates.
(8) If, after considering the grounds of the appeal and any further statement provided under paragraph (7), the Secretary of State is satisfied that there is sufficient information for the purpose of reaching a decision as to the matters to which the appeal relates, the Secretary of State may decide the appeal without further investigation.
(9) If the Secretary of State does not decide the appeal as described in paragraph (8), the Secretary of State must (except in a case where the Secretary of State causes a local inquiry to be held under section 59 (inquiries)(1)), if either party wishes it, afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Secretary of State for that purpose.
Section 59 was amended by section 120 of, and paragraph 197 of Schedule 22 to, the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25).