Article 18 Representatives of local authorities at inquiry

Where any local authority have expressed in writing to the planning authority the view that the application should not be granted wholly or in part or should be granted only subject to conditions, any of the persons mentioned in rule 16(1) may, not later than 14 days before the date of the inquiry, apply in writing to the Secretary of State for a representative of the authority concerned to be made available to attend the inquiry.

Where an application is made to the Secretary of State under paragraph (1) of this rule he shall transmit the application to the authority concerned, who shall make a representative of the authority available to attend the inquiry.

A representative of a local authority who, in pursuance of this rule, attends an inquiry shall state the authority’s reasons for the view expressed by them and shall give evidence and be subject to cross-examination to the same extent as any other witness.