ABSTRACT
The Secretary of State is empowered under s 77 to issue directions requiring applications for planning permission to be referred to him instead of being dealt with by the local planning authority. A direction under this section may be given:
Before determining an application referred to him under these powers, the Secretary of State shall (if either the applicant or the local planning authority wish), give each an opportunity to appear at a local inquiry. The decision of the Secretary of State on any application referred to him under this shall be final.
