Paragraph 20 Construction of specified worksI1

must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;

in relation to specified works to a main river is deemed to have been refused if it is neither given nor refused within 2 months of the submission of the plans, ignoring any time period commencing when the agency make a request for further particulars until those particulars have been provided and, in the case of a refusal, accompanied by a statement of the grounds of refusal;

in relation to specified works to an ordinary watercourse is deemed to have been approved if it is neither given nor refused within 2 months of the submission of the plans or receipt of further particulars if such particulars have been requested by the drainage authority for approval and, in the case of a refusal, accompanied by a statement of the grounds of refusal; and

may be given subject to such reasonable requirements as the drainage authority may make for the protection of any drainage work, fishery or water resources or for the prevention of flooding or pollution or in the discharge of its environmental duties including those under the Environment Act 1995^f1, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006^f2 and the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017^f3.