Chapter 4: Grant and Implementation of Planning Permission 293D Crown development: applications to the Secretary of State Effect
Section 293D(1) and (2) enables appropriate authorities to apply directly to the Secretary of State for planning permission for Crown development where the appropriate authority considers the development is of national importance. Subsection (3) has the effect of defining the types of applications which are within scope of this provision "relevant applications". Applications under section 73 (applications to develop land without compliance with conditions previously attached) are excluded. The Secretary of State also has a power to make regulations to further exclude other types of application from the scope of these provisions.
	Subsection (4) requires that Secretary of State must give notice to the appropriate authority as to whether the Secretary of State considers that the proposed development is of national importance. Subsection (5) requires the Secretary of State to determine the application if the Secretary of State considers that the proposed development meets this criterion. Subsections (6) to (9) provides that if the Secretary of State does not consider the proposed development meets this criterion they may refer the application either: to the local planning authority whom it would have been otherwise made for them to determine (subsection (7)); or direct that the application to be determined by the Secretary of State, subject to agreement with the applicant, under section 62A of the Act where the application could otherwise have been made under that section (subsections (8) and (9)).