Where an application is made to or request is made of, a consenting authority 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 16 (procedure for discharge of requirements) has effect in relation to all consents, agreements or approvals required, granted, refused or withheld in relation to the requirements.

Save for applications made pursuant to Schedule 16 (procedure for discharge of requirements) and where stated to the contrary if, within eight weeks (or such longer period as may be agreed between the undertaker and the relevant consenting authority in writing) after the application or request has been submitted to a consenting authority it has not notified the undertaker of its disapproval and the grounds of disapproval, it is deemed to have approved the application or request.

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).

Schedule 16 (procedure for discharge of requirements) does not apply in respect of any consents, agreements or approvals contemplated by the provisions of Schedule 15 (protective provisions) or any dispute under article 16(6) (protective work to buildings) to which paragraph (4) applies.

In this article “consenting authority” means the relevant planning authority, highway authority, traffic authority, street authority, the owner of a watercourse, sewer or drain or the beneficiary of any of the protective provisions contained in Schedule 15 (protective provisions).