72Reference of application to the Welsh Ministers(1)

This section applies to applications made to planning authorities for—

(a)

planning permission,

(b)

approval of a reserved matter, or

(c)

any approval required under a development order or a local development order.

(2)

A planning authority must refer an application to the Welsh Ministers instead of dealing with the application itself if—

(a)

the application is of a description specified in regulations, or

(b)

the Welsh Ministers direct the authority to refer the application to them for determination.

(3)

A direction may relate to—

(a)

a particular application, or

(b)

applications of a description specified in the direction.

(4)

Regulations may—

(a)

make provision requiring the Welsh Ministers to give an applicant, within a period specified in the regulations, notice that an application has been referred to them under this section (including provision about the form and content of a notice and how it must be given);

(b)

provide that a requirement imposed under section 58 or 63 (notice of application and dealing with application) applies, with or without modifications, in relation to an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this section.

(5)

Sections 64 and 66 to 69 and Schedule 3 apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this section as they apply in relation to an application determined by a planning authority.

(6)

Chapter 2 of Part 14 makes further provision about the procedure for the consideration of an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this section.

(7)

The decision of the Welsh Ministers on an application is final.