Adoption or approval of strategic noise mapsN.I.
46.—(1) If the Department considers that a strategic noise map—
(a)submitted to it pursuant to regulation 11, or 14;
(b)submitted to it pursuant to paragraph (6);
meets the requirements of regulation 4, it shall approve the map.
(2) If the Department considers that a strategic noise map submitted to it pursuant to regulation 11, or 14 or paragraph (6) does not meet the requirements of regulation 4 it may—
(a)amend and approve the map; or
(b)reject the map.
(3) If the Department considers that a strategic noise map—
(a)submitted to it pursuant to regulation 8, or 19;
(b)submitted to it pursuant to paragraph (6); or
(c)made or revised by it;
meets the requirements of regulation 4, the Department shall adopt the map.
(4) If the Department considers that a strategic noise map submitted to it pursuant to regulation 8, or 19 or paragraph (6) does not meet the requirements of regulation 4 it may—
(a)amend and adopt the map; or
(b)reject the map.
(5) If a strategic noise map is rejected pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) or (4)(b) the Department shall notify the competent authority that submitted it of—
(a)the reasons why the map was not approved or adopted; and
(b)the date by which the map shall be revised and resubmitted.
(6) The recipient of a notification under paragraph (5) shall submit the revised strategic noise map to the Department by the date specified in the notification.
(7) Paragraphs (1) to (6) apply to a revised strategic noise map as they apply to a strategic noise map submitted pursuant to regulation 8, 11, 14, or 19.
(8) If the Department amends—
(a)a strategic noise map; or
(b)a revised strategic noise map;
it shall take such steps as it considers appropriate to ensure that the map complies with the requirements of regulation 4 and shall notify the competent authority of any amendments made.