Where an application is made to, or a request is made of, the relevant planning authority, highway authority, traffic authority, street authority, or the owner of a watercourse, sewer or drain or the beneficiary of any of the protective provisions contained in Schedule 9 (protective provisions) for any consent, agreement or approval required or contemplated by any of the provisions of the Order (not including the requirements), such consent, agreement or approval to be validly given, must be given in writing.

Where paragraph (1) applies to any consent, agreement or approval, such consent, agreement or approval must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Schedule 10 (procedure for discharge of requirements) has effect in relation to all consents, agreements or approvals granted, refused or withheld in relation to the requirements.

Save for applications made pursuant to Schedule 10 and where stated to the contrary if, within eight weeks (or such longer period as may be agreed with the undertaker in writing) after the application or request has been submitted to an authority, beneficiary of protective provisions or an owner as referred to in paragraph (1) of this article it has not notified the undertaker of its disapproval and the grounds of disapproval, it is deemed to have approved the application or request.

The procedure set out in paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 10 has effect in relation to any refusal by an authority, beneficiary of protective provisions, or an owner as referred to in paragraph (1) of this article to any consent, agreement or approval required under this Order, including such as may be required pursuant to the protective provisions contained within Schedule 9 (protective provisions).

Where any application is made as described in paragraph (1), the undertaker must include a statement in such application that refers to the timeframe for consideration of the application and the consequences of failure to meet that timeframe as prescribed by paragraph (4).