Paragraph 3 Reference of applications to the Welsh MinistersI1

The Welsh Ministers may direct a planning authority to refer an application made to the authority under paragraph 1 to them for determination instead of dealing with the application itself.

A direction may relate to—

A planning authority must refer an application to which a direction applies to the Welsh Ministers.

Regulations may make provision requiring the Welsh Ministers to give an applicant, within a period specified in the regulations, notice that an application has been referred to them under this paragraph (including provision about the form and content of a notice and how it must be given).

Where an application is referred to the Welsh Ministers under this paragraph, paragraph 2(1)(b), (2), (4) and (5) apply to the application, but as if references to the planning authority were references to the Welsh Ministers.

Chapter 2 of Part 14 makes further provision about the procedure for the consideration of an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this paragraph.

The decision of the Welsh Ministers on the application is final.