Commentary Determination of application for approval
225.Paragraph 11 provides the process for determining an application for approval. An Approving Body must grant an application if it is satisfied that the drainage system complies with the national standards for sustainable drainage. If it is not satisfied then it must refuse the application. Approval may be granted subject to conditions on the construction, or modifications to the original proposals. The Approving Body may grant approval on the condition that the applicant provides a non-performance bond. In such a case, the approval only takes effect once the applicant has provided the non-performance bond. Grant of approval may relate to inspection of the drainage system or there may be a condition which requires payment of fees payable for the processing of the application for approval of a drainage system.
226.Before determining an application the Approving Body must consult a number of relevant bodies. If a connection to the sewer is proposed, it must consult the relevant sewerage undertaker; if the drainage system will discharge to a watercourse, it must consult the Environment Agency; if the drainage system is likely to affect a road, it must consult the relevant highway authority; if the drainage system is to discharge under, or directly or indirectly into a waterway managed by British Waterways, it must consult British Waterways; and finally it must consult the appropriate internal drainage board if the Approving Body thinks that the drainage system may directly or indirectly involve the discharge of water into an ordinary watercourse within that board’s district.
227.Once the Approving Body has made a decision, it must notify the applicant (or, in the case of a combined application, the planning authority), and any relevant consultees, of its decision as soon as it reasonably can.
228.The Secretary of State or Welsh Ministers may make regulations about the timing and procedure for determination of applications for approval and the consequences of the failure to comply with these regulations. These regulations are subject to the negative resolution procedure.