44.—(1) If the planning authority considers that it is expedient that any permission to develop land granted under F452[this Part or Part XXI] should be revoked or modified, it may serve a notice in accordance with subsection (3) on the applicant and on any other person who, in its opinion, will be materially affected by the revocation or modification.

(2) A planning authority shall neither revoke nor modify a permission under this section unless the development to which the permission relates no longer conforms with the provisions of the development plan.

(3) The notice referred to in subsection (1) shall—

(a) refer to the permission concerned,

(b) specify the provisions of the development plan to which the permission no longer conforms, and

(c) invite the person or persons served with the notice to make written submissions or observations to the planning authority within the period specified in the notice (being not less than 4 weeks from the service of the notice) concerning the proposed revocation or modification.

(4) A planning authority may decide to revoke or modify a permission and, when making its decision, shall have regard to any submissions or observations made under subsection (3) (c).

(5) Where a planning authority decides to revoke or modify a permission under subsection (4), it shall specify in the decision the provisions of the development plan to which the permission no longer conforms, and the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based.

(6) A person served with a notice under subsection (1) may, at any time within 4 weeks of the date of the decision, appeal to the Board against the decision.

(7) Where an appeal is brought under this section against a decision, the Board may confirm the decision with or without modifications, or annul the decision, and it shall specify the main reasons and considerations for its decision.

(8) The power conferred by this section to revoke or modify permission to develop land may be exercised—

(a) where the permission relates to the carrying out of works, at any time before those works have been commenced or, in the case of works which have been commenced and which, consequent on the making of a variation in the development plan, will contravene the plan, at any time before those works have been completed,

(b) where the permission relates to a change of the use of any land, at any time before the change has taken place,

but the revocation or modification of permission for the carrying out of works shall not affect so much of the works as have been previously carried out.

(9) A planning authority may at any time, for stated reasons, by notice in writing withdraw a notice served under this section.

(10) Particulars of a decision made under this section shall be entered in the register.

(11) The revocation or modification under this section of a permission shall be a reserved function.