Date and place of inquiry
32.—(1) The Welsh Ministers must fix the date for the inquiry.
(2) Subject to paragraph (2), the date fixed for the holding of an inquiry must be—
(a)no later than—
(i)13 weeks after the end of the representation period; or
(ii)(if later) in a case where a pre-inquiry meeting is held pursuant to regulation 31, four weeks after the conclusion of that meeting (or such shorter period after conclusion of that meeting as the applicant, the local planning authority and the appointed person may agree); and
(b)at least one week after the period allowed for further representations requested in accordance with regulation 15 and (3).
(3) Where the Welsh Ministers consider it impracticable for the inquiry to be held on a date fixed in accordance with paragraph (2), the date for the inquiry must be the earliest date which the Welsh Ministers consider is practicable.
(4) The place at which an inquiry is to be held must be determined by the Welsh Ministers.
(5) Where the Welsh Ministers are satisfied, having regard to the nature of the application, that it is reasonable to do so, the Welsh Ministers may direct that different parts of an inquiry are held at different locations.
(6) Unless the Welsh Ministers agree a shorter period of notice with the applicant and the local planning authority, the Welsh Ministers must give at least four weeks’ written notice of the date, time and place fixed by them for the holding of the inquiry to the applicant, the local planning authority and any person invited to take part in the inquiry.
(7) The Welsh Ministers may vary the date fixed for the inquiry, whether or not the date as varied is within the period of thirteen weeks mentioned in paragraph (1)(a); and paragraph (5) applies to a variation of a date as it applies to the date originally fixed.
(8) The Welsh Ministers may vary the time or place for the holding of inquiry and must give such notice of any variation as appears to them to be reasonable.