96.—(1) Where an application is made to a council—
(a)for listed building consent; or
(b)for any approval of the council required by a condition imposed on a grant of listed building consent,
then, if that consent or approval is refused or is granted subject to conditions, the applicant may by notice in writing under this subsection appeal to the planning appeals commission.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any application referred to the Department under section 88.
(3) Any notice under this section must be served on the planning appeals commission within 4 months from the date of notification of the decision to which it relates or such other period as may be prescribed.
(4) Where an appeal is brought under this section from a decision of a council, the planning appeals commission, subject to subsections (5) and (6), may allow or dismiss the appeal or may reverse or vary any part of the decision whether the appeal relates to that part of the decision or not and may deal with the application as if it had been made to it in the first instance.
(5) Before determining an appeal under this section, the planning appeals commission must, if either the applicant or the council so wishes, afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the commission.
(6) Sections 87 and 95 and any provisions made under regulations made in accordance with section 86(4)(a) shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to an appeal to the planning appeals commission under this subsection as they apply to an application for listed building consent.