http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2015/182/rule/8The Town and Country Planning (Hazardous Substances Inquiry Session Procedure) (Scotland) Rules 2015enTRIBUNALS AND INQUIRIESStatute Law Database2025-10-23Expert Participation2015-09-14 These Rules set out the procedures to be followed in connection with local inquiries held for the purposes of certain applications and appeals under the Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Scotland) Act 1997 (“the Hazardous Substances Act”). The Rules apply (rule 2) to inquiries held in connection with—applications referred to the Scottish Ministers under section 18 of the Hazardous Substances Act on or after 1st June 2015; andappeals under section 19 of the Act and regulation 43 of the Town and Country Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 on or after 1st June 2015. 81Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the procedure at the inquiry session is to be as the appointed person determines.2The appointed person is, having considered any submission by the persons entitled to appear at the inquiry session, to state at or before the commencement of the inquiry session the procedure which the appointed person proposes to adopt and in particular is to state—athe order in which the specified matters are to be considered at the inquiry session; andbthe order in which the persons entitled to appear at the inquiry session are to be heard in relation to a specified matter (a different order may be chosen for different specified matters).3Any person entitled to appear may do so on that person’s own behalf or be represented by another person.4Where there are two or more persons having a similar interest in the matter under inquiry, the appointed person may allow one or more persons to appear for the benefit of some or all persons so interested.5Subject to paragraph (6), any person entitled to appear at the inquiry session is entitled to call evidence and to cross‑examine persons giving evidence and to make closing statements.6The appointed person may refuse to permit—athe giving or production of evidence;bthe cross‑examination of persons giving evidence; orcthe presentation of any other matter,which the appointed person considers to be irrelevant or repetitious.7If any person entitled to appear at the inquiry session fails to do so, the appointed person may proceed with the inquiry session at the appointed person’s discretion.8The appointed person may from time to time adjourn the inquiry session and, if the date, time and place of the adjourned inquiry session are announced before the adjournment, no further notice is required, otherwise rule 6 applies as it applies to the variation of the date, time or place at which an inquiry session is to be held.Rule 8 in force at 1.6.2015, see rule 1