Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

4.—(1) Where objections to the proposed scheme or alterations are made, the council may—

(a) for the purpose of considering the objections, cause an independent examination to be carried out by—

(i) the planning appeals commission; or

(ii) a person appointed by the council and approved by the Department; or

(b) require the objections to be considered by a person appointed by the council and approved by the Department.

(2) Regulations may—

(a) make provision with respect to the appointment, and qualifications for appointment, of persons for the purposes of this paragraph;

(b) include provision enabling the Department to direct a council to appoint a particular person, or one of a prescribed list or class of persons.

(3) Any person who makes objections to a proposed simplified planning zone scheme or proposed alterations to a simplified planning zone scheme must, if that person so requests, be given the opportunity to appear before and be heard by—

(a) the planning appeals commission; or

(b) the person appointed by the council and approved by the Department under sub-paragraph (1)(a)(ii).

(4) A council must exercise the power under sub-paragraph (1), or head (a) or (b) of that sub-paragraph, if directed to do so by the Department.