23.—(1) If it is satisfied that any step has been taken by the regulator to publicise the application in accordance with regulation 12 of the Marine Minerals Regulations, the appropriate authority may treat that step as taken in accordance with any corresponding requirement of regulation 16(1) and (2) or 17(1) of the Marine Works Regulations.
(2) If it is satisfied that any step has been taken by the regulator to provide information to or to consult another EEA State in accordance with regulation 15 of the Marine Minerals Regulations, the appropriate authority may treat that step as taken in accordance with any corresponding requirement of regulation 18, 19 or 20 of the Marine Works Regulations.
(3) Where the appropriate authority is satisfied that any step taken by an applicant—
(a)is by virtue of regulation 31(2) of the Marine Minerals Regulations to be treated by the regulator immediately before 6th April 2011 as a step taken under regulation 12 of those Regulations, or
(b)is sufficient to publicise that application, related documents, and information to substantially the same extent as required by regulation 16(1) and (2) or 17(1) of the Marine Works Regulations,
the appropriate authority may treat that step as taken under regulation 16(1) and (2) or 17(1) (as the case may be) of the Marine Works Regulations.