Public consultation

4.—(1) As soon as practicable after receiving an application the authority shall—

(a)make the application and the plan accompanying it available to members of the public for inspection at all reasonable hours during the working day until such time as the application has been finally determined or withdrawn; and

(b)ensure that public notice of the application is given by advertisement in a newspaper (which may be a newspaper distributed free of charge) which is in general circulation at intervals of not more than one week in the area in which the premises are situated.

(2) The notice referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall—

(a)identify the premises and the applicant;

(b)indicate the address at which the application and the plan accompanying it may be inspected in accordance with paragraph (1)(a);

(c)state that any person may give notice in writing of an objection to the grant of approval, with reasons for the objection, within 21 days from the date on which the newspaper in which the advertisement appears is published; and

(d)state the address of the offices of the authority to which such notice of objection should be given.

(3) Before reaching a decision on the application, the authority shall consider any notice of objection given as mentioned in paragraph (2)(c).