(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, the Authority may modify the conditions of a company’s appointment under this Chapter if the company consents to the modifications.
(2)Before making modifications under this section, [F1the Authority] shall give notice—
(a)stating that [F1it] proposes to make the modifications and setting out their effect;
(b)stating the reasons why [F1it] proposes to make the modifications; and
(c)specifying the period (not being less than twenty-eight days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,
and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.
(3)A notice under subsection (2) above shall be given—
(a)by publishing the notice in such manner as [F1the Authority] considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications; and
(b)by serving a copy of the notice on the company and on the Secretary of State.
(4)[F1The Authority] shall not under this section make any modifications which the Secretary of State has, within the time specified in the notice under subsection (2) above, directed [F1the Authority] not to make.
(5)The Secretary of State shall not give a direction under subsection (4) above in relation to any modification unless—
(a)the modification is a modification of provision contained in the appointment for the purposes of section 7(4)(c) above;
(b)the modification is a modification of a provision of the appointment which relates to the disposal of, or of interests or rights in or over, a company’s protected land and is stated in the appointment to be a provision which cannot be modified; or
(c)it appears to the Secretary of State that the modification should be made, if at all, under section 16 below.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Act substituted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 36(2), 105(3); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 4(c)