21AWhere 2 or more applications are made in respect of the same block or blocks

#### 21A Where 2 or more applications are made in respect of the same block or blocks (1) This section applies if 2 or more applications have been made under section 20 for the grant of a permit in respect of the same block or blocks. (2) The Joint Authority may grant the permit to whichever applicant, in the Authority’s opinion, is most deserving of the grant of the permit having regard to criteria made publicly available by the Authority. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the Authority may rank the applicants in the order in which they are deserving of the grant, the most deserving applicant being ranked highest. (4) The Joint Authority may exclude from the ranking any applicant that, in the Authority’s opinion, is not deserving of the grant of the permit. (5) If the Joint Authority is of the opinion that, after considering the information accompanying the applications, 2 or more of the applicants are equally deserving of the grant of the permit, the Authority may, by written notice served on each of those applicants, invite them to give to the Authority, within a period stated in the notice, particulars of the applicant’s proposals for additional work and expenditure in respect of the block or blocks specified in the application, being particulars that the Authority considers to be relevant in determining which of the applicants is most deserving of the grant of the permit. (6) If any particulars are given by applicants to the Joint Authority in accordance with the invitations contained in the notices served under subsection (5), the Authority must have regard to the particulars in determining whichever of the applicants is most deserving of the grant of the permit.