At any time after an application has been made for the consent of F1the Secretary of State to the carrying out of any controlled operations for which a statutory licence to abstract water is required but has not been granted any person concerned may F2F6apply to the appropriate agency for a certificate under this Schedule as respects those controlled operations.

F3Where such an application is F7made, the appropriate agency shall issue to the applicant a certificate stating that the statutory licence to abstract water required for the carrying out of the controlled operations could, or could not, reasonably have been expected to have been granted if the land had not been comprised in the storage area or protective area.

F4Where, in the opinion F8of the appropriate agency, a statutory licence to abstract water might reasonably have been expected to be granted but would only have been granted subject to conditions, limitations or restrictions, the certificate shall specify those conditions, limitations or restrictions in addition to the other matters required to be contained in the certificate.

F5F9On issuing the certificate, the appropriate agency shall serve a copy of the certificate on the gas authority.