Gas Act 1965

9 (1) The applicants shall at the time of making their application inform the Minister of the extent to which they have been, or expect to be, able to acquire by negotiation the land and rights which they must possess in order to develop and operate the underground gas storage.

(2) If the Minister, after consultation with the applicants, is satisfied that a compulsory purchase order will be required to put the applicants in possession of any such land or right he may, if he thinks fit, give notice to the applicants that he will not proceed with the application until the applicants have made such a compulsory purchase order and have applied to the Minister for the confirmation of the order, and that he will then proceed concurrently with respect to the application under this Schedule and with respect to the application for confirmation of the compulsory purchase order.

(3) Where the Minister gives notice to the applicants under the last foregoing sub-paragraph, he shall give a like notice to every person on whom a notice was served under paragraph 7(3) of this Schedule and who has duly made an objection to the application which has not been withdrawn.

(4) Where the Minister has given notice to the applicants under sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph he shall not (unless he otherwise determines) be required to proceed with the application under this Schedule except in accordance with the notice and the Minister may at any stage decline to proceed with the application if the compulsory purchase order is withdrawn or cannot be proceeded with.