Adoption of strategic noise maps
23.—(1) If the Secretary of State considers that a strategic noise map—
(a)submitted to him pursuant to regulation 11 or 12;
(b)submitted to him pursuant to paragraph (4); or
(c)made or revised by him,
meets the requirements of regulation 4, he must adopt the map.
(2) If the Secretary of State considers that a strategic noise map submitted to him pursuant to regulation 11 or 12 or paragraph (4) does not meet the requirements of regulation 4 he may—
(a)amend and adopt the map; or
(b)reject the map.
(3) If a strategic noise map is rejected pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) the Secretary of State must notify the competent authority that submitted it of—
(a)the reasons why the map was not adopted; and
(b)the date by which the map must be revised and resubmitted.
(4) The recipient of a notification under paragraph (3) must submit the revised strategic noise map to the Secretary of State by the date specified in the notification.
(5) Paragraphs (1) to (4) apply to a revised strategic noise map as they apply to a strategic noise map submitted pursuant to regulation 11 or 12.
(6) If the Secretary of State amends—
(a)a strategic noise map; or
(b)a revised strategic noise map,
he must take such steps as he considers appropriate for ensuring that the map complies with the requirements of regulation 4.