7.—(1) Except in a case where an application has been referred to the Secretary of State under paragraph 6 and subject to paragraph 10, the regulator shall give notice of its determination of an application under regulation 17(2)—
(a)where the consultation and advertising procedure set out in paragraph 4 applies, within the period of four months beginning with the day on which the regulator received the application;
(b)where that procedure does not apply, within the period of three months beginning with the day on which the regulator received the application,
or, in either case, within such longer period as may be agreed with the operator.
(2) For the purpose of calculating the periods mentioned in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) no account shall be taken of—
(a)any period beginning with the date on which notice is served on an operator under paragraph 3 and ending on the date on which the operator furnishes the information specified in the notice;
(b)any period allowed for making representations in relation to a notice given pursuant to paragraph 5 in so far as that period does not overlap with any other period allowed for making representations in accordance with paragraph 4(12);
(c)where a matter falls to be determined under regulation 30 or 31, any period beginning with the date on which the period of 28 days referred to in paragraph 4(8) ends and ending on the date on which the application is advertised in accordance with paragraph 15(b).