Water Resources Act 1991

4 (1) The Secretary of State may approve the statement either in the form of the draft or in that form as altered in such manner as he thinks fit.

(2) Where the Secretary of State—

(a) proposes to make any alteration of a statement before approving it; and

(b) considers that any persons are likely to be adversely affected by it,

the Authority shall give and publish such additional notices, in such manner, as the Secretary of State may require.

(3) Sub-paragraph (4) below shall apply if, before the end of—

(a) the period of twenty-eight days referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 2 above;

(b) the period of twenty-five days from the publication in the London Gazette of the notice under sub-paragraph (4) of that paragraph; or

(c) any period specified in notices under sub-paragraph (2) above,

notice of an objection is received by the Secretary of State from any person on whom a notice is required by this Schedule to be served, or from any other person appearing to the Secretary of State to be affected by the draft statement, either as prepared in draft or as proposed to be altered.

(4) Where this sub-paragraph applies and the objection in question is not withdrawn, the Secretary of State, before approving the statement, shall either—

(a) cause a local inquiry to be held; or

(b) afford to the objector and to the Authority an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Secretary of State for the purpose.

(5) Where under this paragraph an objection is received by the Secretary of State from—

(a) the drainage board for any internal drainage district which comprises any inland waters to which the draft statement relates or, as the case may be, from which water is discharged into any such inland waters; or

(b) such an association or person claiming to represent a substantial fishery interest affected by the statement as is certified by the Minister to appear to him to represent such an interest,

sub-paragraphs (1) to (4) above and paragraph 5 below shall have effect as if references to the Secretary of State (except the first reference in sub-paragraph (3) above) were references to the Ministers.