Petroleum Act 1987

25 Construction authorisations

(1) Schedule 1 to the [1962 c. 58.] Pipe-lines Act 1962 (applications for construction authorisations) shall have effect with the following amendments in relation to applications made after the coming into force of this section.

(2) In paragraph 6(1) (which provides for the modification of the proposed route of a pipe-line), for the words from "or along a modified route" onwards there shall be substituted the words "or, subject to paragraph 6A below, along a modified route."

(3) After paragraph 6 there shall be inserted—

“6A(1) A pipe-line construction authorisation shall not authorise the execution of works for the placing of the proposed pipe-line along a modified route unless the applicant has given a notice relating to the modified route to—

(a) every local planning authority within whose area any modification of the route occurs, and

(b) any person specified by the Minister.

(2) A notice under sub-paragraph (1) shall state the time within which objections to the modification can be sent to the Minister and shall contain such other particulars as the Minister may direct.

(3) The time stated in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) shall not be less than 28 days from the date on which the notice is served or such shorter time (being not less than 14 days) as the Minister may direct.

(4) Where a local planning authority makes an objection in accordance with a notice under sub-paragraph (1) and does not withdraw it, the Minister shall cause a public inquiry to be held with respect to the objection and shall before granting the application consider the report of the person who held the inquiry.

(5) Where a person other than a local planning authority makes an objection in accordance with a notice under sub-paragraph (1) and does not withdraw it, the Minister shall either—

(a) cause a public inquiry to be held with respect to the objection, or

(b) afford to the person making the objection an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose;

and shall in either case consider the resulting report.

6B The Minister may if he thinks fit cause a public inquiry to be held with respect to an application for the grant of a pipe-line construction authorisation whether or not any objection to the application, or to any modification of the route proposed in it, is made or maintained.”

(4) Paragraph 4(2) (which is superseded by paragraph 6B) shall be omitted.