The Minister may, if he thinks fit, direct that an appeal which, by virtue of section 21 above and apart from this subsection, falls to be determined by a person appointed by the Minister shall instead be determined by the Minister.
A direction under this section shall state the reasons for which it is given and shall be served on the person, if any, so appointed, the applicant or appellant, the local planning authority and any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the appeal which the authority are required to take into account under section 17(3)(a) of the principal Act (representations by owners and agricultural tenants).
Where in consequence of a direction under this section an appeal to which section 21 above applies falls to be determined by the Minister, whichever of the following provisions are relevant, that is to say those of—
the principal Act;
section 16 of this Act;
section 18(2) to (5) of this Act;
Part I of Schedule 5 to this Act; and
section 14 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967,
shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, apply to the appeal as if section 21 above had never applied thereto.
Where in consequence of a direction under this section the Minister determines an appeal himself, he shall afford to the applicant or appellant, the local planning authority and any person who has made any such representations as aforesaid an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Minister for that purpose either—
Except as provided by subsection (4) above, where the Minister determines an appeal in consequence of a direction under this section, he shall not be obliged to afford any person an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed for the purpose, or of making fresh representations or making or withdrawing any representations already made; and in determining the appeal the Minister may take into account any report made to him by any person previously appointed to determine it.