In section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (when application may be made directly to Secretary of State), in subsection (1), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

“(a)

the local planning authority concerned is designated by the Secretary of State for applications of a description specified in the designation; and

(b)

the application falls within that description.”

After that subsection insert—

“(1A)

Only prescribed descriptions of application may be specified in a designation under subsection (1).”

For subsection (2) of that section substitute—

“(2)

In this section “relevant application” means—

(a)

an application for planning permission, or permission in principle, for the development of land in England, or

(b)

an application for approval of a matter that, as defined by section 92, is a reserved matter in the case of an outline planning permission for the development of land in England,

but does not include an application of the kind described in section 73(1) or an application of a description excluded by regulations.”

In section 62B of that Act (designation for the purposes of section 62A), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A)

A document to which subsection (2) applies may set out different criteria for each description of application prescribed under section 62A(1A).”