[3(1)This paragraph applies where—E+W
(a)a unitary development plan is being prepared for the area of a local planning authority in Wales;
(b)the local planning authority preparing that plan have published in the prescribed manner a statement in the prescribed form identifying a policy included in the plan as an existing policy;
(c)one or more local plans is or, as the case may be, are together in force throughout the policy area; and
(d)a local inquiry or other hearing is held for the purpose of considering any objection to the plan.
(2)The person holding the inquiry or other hearing need not allow an objector to appear if he is satisfied that—
(a)the objection is to a policy identified in the statement published under sub-paragraph (1)(b);
(b)the policy so identified is an existing policy; and
(c)there has been no significant change in circumstances affecting the existing policy since it first formed part of any plan mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(c).
(3)In this paragraph—
“ existing policy ” means a policy the substance of which (however expressed) was contained in the local plan or local plans mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(c);
“ policy ” includes a proposal; and
“ policy area ” means so much of the area of the local planning authority to which the policy concerned relates. ]