The power of the Welsh Ministers to designate a planning authority for the purposes of section 78 is exercisable by giving notice in writing to the authority.

The Welsh Ministers may revoke the designation of a planning authority by giving a further notice in writing to the authority.

In deciding whether to make or revoke a designation, the Welsh Ministers must apply only criteria in relation to which the following conditions are met.

The first condition is that the Welsh Ministers have consulted every planning authority about the criteria.

The second condition is that the criteria are set out in a document that the Welsh Ministers have laid before Senedd Cymru.

The third condition is that the 21-day period has ended without Senedd Cymru having resolved during that period not to approve the document.

The fourth condition is that the Welsh Ministers have published the document (whether before, during or after the 21-day period).

In this section “the 21-day period” means the 21 days beginning with the day the document is laid before Senedd Cymru under subsection (5), not counting any time when the Senedd is dissolved or is in recess for more than 4 days.

The Welsh Ministers must publish a copy of a notice given to a planning authority under this section.