These Rules regulate the procedure to be followed for hearings in England caused by the Secretary of State to be held before he or an inspector determines applications made in relation to planning 6 permission under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Section 62A, which was inserted into the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by the Growth and Infrastructure Act, 2013, provides for the designation of local planning authorities in accordance with criteria set by the Secretary of State. Where a local planning authority is designated a person wishing to apply for planning permission in the area of that authority may choose to apply to the authority as usual or instead apply to the Secretary of State. Schedule 1 to the Act makes consequential provisions in relation to the Secretary of State s function of determining these planning applications.