15.—(1) If—
(a)the regulator has not determined an application within the relevant period, and
(b)the applicant serves a notice on the regulator which refers to this paragraph,
the application is deemed to have been refused on the day on which the notice is served.
(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply—
(a)to an application for the grant of an environmental permit that, if granted, would authorise the carrying on of a radioactive substances activity at a nuclear site, or
(b)to an application for the transfer of an environmental permit where the permit authorises the carrying on of a radioactive substances activity at a nuclear site.
(3) In sub-paragraph (1) “the relevant period” means a period, calculated in accordance with paragraph 16, of—
(a)in the case of an application for the transfer of an environmental permit in whole or in part, 2 months,
(b)in the case of an application for the grant or variation, in whole or in part, of an environmental permit relating to a stand-alone flood risk activity only, 2 months,
(c)in a case where paragraph 6 applies, 4 months, or
(d)in any other case, 3 months,
or in any case, a longer period than the period in paragraphs (a) to (d), if it is agreed by the regulator and the applicant.