Schedule 1, Paragraph 27: Part 4: Requirement for Development Consent Section 35: Directions in relation to projects of national significance
106.This section provides that the Secretary of State may direct that an application made to the relevant authority for a consent or authorisation mentioned in section 33(1) or (2) should be referred to the Commission, which will then treat it as an application for development consent. The Secretary of State can make such a direction only if the development is, or forms part of, a project in one of the fields mentioned in subsection (2) of section 35, the development would be wholly in England (or adjacent waters) and she considers that the project is of national significance. The Secretary of State may also make a direction in relation to more than one project in the same field if she believes that collectively they are of national significance. The Secretary of State must give reasons for making a direction under this section.
107.If the Secretary of State is considering making such a direction, she may direct the relevant authority to take no further action until she has reached her decision.