3.—(1) If the authority considers that it requires further information to make a decision on the application, it must give written notice to the undertaker specifying the further information required within seven business days from the day on which it receives the application.
(2) If the relevant requirement requires that authority to consult a person (referred to in this Schedule as a “consultee”) in relation to the application—
(a)the authority must consult the consultee within five business days from the day on which it receives the application;
(b)if the consultee considers that it requires further information to respond to the consultation, it must so notify the authority, specifying what further information is required, within 18 business days from the day on which the authority received the application; and
(c)within five business days from the day on which it receives any such notification from the consultee, the authority must give written notice to the undertaker specifying the further information required by the consultee.
(3) If the authority, after consultation with any consultee, considers that further information provided by the undertaker in response to a written notice from the authority under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) is not sufficient to allow it to make a decision on the application, it must give written notice to the undertaker specifying what further information is still required, within seven business days from the day on which the undertaker provided the information.
(4) If the authority does not give written notice in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), (2) or (3), it is not entitled to request any additional information in relation to the application without the prior agreement in writing of the undertaker.