Part III

Control over development

Secretary of State’s powers as respects planning applications and decisions

Reference of applications to Secretary of State.
77
1
The Secretary of State may give directions requiring applications for planning permission or permission in principle, or for the approval of any local planning authority required under a development order , a local development order or a neighbourhood development order, to be referred to him instead of being dealt with by local planning authorities.
2
A direction under this section—
a
may be given either to a particular local planning authority or to local planning authorities generally; and
b
may relate either to a particular application or to applications of a class specified in the direction.
3
Any application in respect of which a direction under this section has effect shall be referred to the Secretary of State accordingly.
4
Subject to subsection (5)—
a
where an application for planning permission is referred to the Secretary of State under this section, sections 70, 72(1) and (5), 73 and 73A shall apply, with any necessary modifications, as they apply to such an application which falls to be determined by the local planning authority;
b
where an application for permission in principle is referred to the Secretary of State under this section, section 70 shall apply, with any necessary modifications, as it applies to such an application which falls to be determined by the local planning authority;
and
a development order may apply, with or without modifications, to an application so referred any requirements imposed by such an order by virtue of section 65 or 71
.
5
Before determining an application referred to him under this section, the Secretary of State shall, if either the applicant or the local planning authority wish, give each of them an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Secretary of State for the purpose.
6
Subsection (5) does not apply to an application for planning permission referred to a Planning Inquiry Commission under section 101.
6A
Subsection (5) does not apply to an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this section instead of being dealt with by a local planning authority in Wales.
7
The decision of the Secretary of State on any application referred to him under this section shall be final.
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) except ss. 76, 90(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1492, regs. 2(1)(b), 3-11
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106): power to modify conferred (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 171(1)(a); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) applied (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 42, s. 24(1) (with ss. 2, 30(1), Sch. 2 para.9)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) extended (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 96(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2765, art. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(3), Sch. 5 Pt. III paras. 15(1), 20 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 4, Sch. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 9(1)(2)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 51
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (2.4.2004) by The Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/757), art. 20(1)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (31.10.2005) by The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (Planning Functions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2721), art. 4
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (25.11.2005) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3105), art. 21(1) (with arts. 3(5), 15(3))
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) applied (7.6.2006) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), ss. 89, 121, Sch. 4 para. 3(2) (with s. 111); S.I. 2006/1281, art. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (22.11.2006) by The Docklands Light Railway (Stratford International Extension) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2905), art. 17(1) (with art. 43)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (13.12.2006) by The Luton Dunstable Translink Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3118), art. 18(1)
S. 77 extended (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 33, ss. 80(3), 172(4)
Words in s. 77(4) substituted (2.1.1992 so far as relating to the inclusion of a reference to s. 73A otherwise 17.7.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 32, Sch. 7 para.18 (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1991/2905, art. 3, Sch.1 (subject to art. 5) and S.I. 1992/1491, art.2, Sch.1
Words in s. 77(4) inserted (17.7.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 32, Sch. 7 para. 18 (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1992/1491, art. 2, Sch.1
S. 77(5) excluded (27.5.1997) by 1997 c. 8, ss. 70(4), 278(2), Sch. 7 para. 7 (with ss. 20, 64, 219)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (4.5.2005) by The Telford Railfreight Terminal (Donnington) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1163), art. 25(2) (with art. 30)
Pt. 3 modified (23.8.2007) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement and 2012 Games Preparation) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2297), art. 17(1) (with arts. 3(6), 12(3))
S. 77 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2007) by The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2004/783), reg. 10
Pt. 3 modified (28.9.2007) by The London Gateway Logistics and Commercial Centre Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2657), art. 27(1) (with art. 19, Sch. 3 para. 13(2))
Pt. 3 modified (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), s. 10(1)
Pt. 3 modified (14.10.2008) by The Felixstowe Branch Line and Ipswich Yard Improvement Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2512), art. 34(1) (with art. 36(3))
Pt. 3 modified (20.7.2010) by The Network Rail (Nuneaton North Chord) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1721), art. 28(1)
Pt. 3 modified (27.8.2010) by The Llangollen and Corwen Railway Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2136), art. 11(1)
Pt. 3 modified (11.1.2023) by The Network Rail (Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1406), arts. 1, 35(2) (with art. 34(2), Sch. 12 paras. 5, 47, 79)
Pt. 3 applied (1.2.2011) by The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/41), arts. 1, 47(1) (with art. 51, Sch. 10 paras. 68, 85)
Words in s. 77(1) substituted (15.11.2011 for specified purposes, 15.1.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2012 for specified purposes, 3.8.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(5)(j), Sch. 12 para. 10; S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(h) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/628, art. 8(a) (with arts. 9, 12, 13, 16, 18-20) (as amended (3.8.2012) by S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 4); S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 3(a) (with art. 5) (as amended (6.4.2013) by S.I. 2013/797, art. 4); S.I. 2013/797, arts. 1(2), 2
Words in s. 77(4) substituted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 12 para. 20(3)(b); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(d)
Words in s. 77(1) inserted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 12 para. 20(2); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(d)
S. 77(6A) inserted (11.11.2014) by The Town and Country Planning (Determination of Procedure) (Wales) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2773), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2
Pt. 3 modified (21.4.2011) by The Network Rail (Hitchin (Cambridge Junction)) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1072), arts. 1, 36(2)
Words in s. 77(4) substituted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 12 para. 20(3)(a); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(d)
Pt. 3 applied (5.4.2017) by The Keuper Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/433), arts. 1, 38(2)