Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

7.—(1) The Department may, after considering proposals submitted to it under paragraph 6, either approve them, in whole or in part and with or without modifications, or reject them.

(2) In considering the proposals the Department may take into account any matters it thinks are relevant, whether or not they were taken into account in the proposals as submitted to it.

(3) Where on taking the proposals into consideration the Department does not determine then to reject them it shall, before determining whether or not to approve them, consider any objections made in accordance with regulations (and not withdrawn) except objections which—

(a) have already been considered by the council or a person appointed by the council; or

(b) have already been considered in the course of an independent examination carried out under paragraph 4.

(4) The Department may, for the purpose of considering any objections and the views of the council and of such other persons as it thinks fit—

(a) cause an independent examination to be carried out by the planning appeals commission or such other person appointed by the Department; or

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

(5) In considering the proposals the Department may consult with, or consider the views of, any council or any other person; but the Department need not do so, or give an opportunity for the making or consideration of representations or objections, except so far as it is required to do so by sub-paragraph (3).