(1) At the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section fifteen for the making of objections or representations, the local planning authority shall submit to the Minister—
(a) the draft master plan exhibited in terms of subsection (2) of section fifteen; and
(b) a report on the study carried out in terms of section thirteen; and (c) a report on the objections and representations received in terms of section fifteen indicating therein the views of the local planning authority on such objections and representations.
(2) The Minister may return a draft master plan submitted in terms of subsection (1) with directions as to—
(a) the submission to him of additional information;
(b) the giving of further publicity in respect of any particular matter.
(3) In considering a draft master plan submitted or resubmitted in terms of subsection(1), the Minister shall—
(a) take into account the reports submitted in terms of subsection (1) and any other matter which appears to him to be relevant, whether or not it was taken into account by the local planning authority; and
(b) consider any objections or representations made in terms of subsection(2) of section fifteen and, in so far as they have not been met or withdrawn, may refer them to the Administrative Court for determination or to a local inquiry for investigation; and
(c) cause a local inquiry to be made into any matter which, in his opinion, should be the subject of such an inquiry.
(4) Subject to this section, the Minister may approve a draft master plan submitted or resubmitted in terms of subsection (1), subject to such modifications or reservations, if any, as he deems fit, or reject such draft master plan, and shall thereafter give notice in the Gazette of his decision, which notice shall, if he has approved such draft master plan, specify the date on which the master plan shall, in terms of subsection (5) of section seventy-one, become operative.
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) shall not apply to a scheduled local planning authority but, in the case of such an authority, the draft master plan shall be submitted to the Minister of Environment and Tourism who, in consultation with the Minister, may approve the draft master plan subject to such modifications or reservations, if any, as he deems fit or reject such draft master plan, and shall thereafter give notice in the Gazette of his decision, which notice shall, if he has approved such draft master plan, specify the date on which the master plan shall, in terms of subsection (5) of section seventy-one, become operative.