14Time limit for deciding applications

14 Time limit for deciding applications

(1) The ESC must decide an application that is properly made under section 12 within—

(a) the period of 40 business days beginning on the day the ESC received the application; or

(b) if, before the end of that period, the ESC and applicant agree to a longer period—that longer period.

(2) However, if, during the period applicable under subsection (1), the ESC, for the purpose of deciding the application, requests information from an applicant, the period between the request and the giving of the information must be disregarded for the purpose of calculating the period applicable under subsection (1).

(3) If the ESC has not decided the application within the period applicable under this section, the ESC is taken, at the end of that period, to have made a decision under section 13 refusing the application.