7.—(1) The timetable must be—
(a)approved by resolution of the council prior to submission to the Department for its agreement, and
(b)submitted to the Department.
(2) The Department must respond within four weeks of receipt of the timetable, unless it has, before the expiry of that period, notified the council that it requires more time to consider the timetable.
(3) If, before the end of the period specified in paragraph (2), the Department has failed to respond to the receipt by it of the timetable, it will be deemed to be agreed at the end of that period.
(4) Subject to paragraph (3) until such time as the Department agrees the timetable the council must not, in the preparation of a local development plan, take any steps under regulation 10 to advertise its preferred options paper.
(5) Paragraphs (1) to (4) apply to the revision of a timetable as they apply to its preparation.