We set out here the timetable and process for applying for a new appointment. Throughout this section, we use the term ‘new appointments’ to refer to new appointments and ‘variations’ as appropriate, unless otherwise specified.

If your application meets all of the criteria and contains all of the required information, we will attempt to process it in between 16 and 30 weeks. However, the process may take considerably longer if there are matters to be resolved or further information is required.

Your appointment cannot be made until your customers have given their consent. If the site does not currently have any customers, then you have to get consent from the developer.

Preliminary steps

All parties should communicate effectively, particularly at the start of the application process. This will prevent unnecessary delays.

1. Discuss new appointment proposal with Ofwat — customer, applicant

We advise you and your customer discuss your proposals with us before submitting your formal application. All enquiries will be treated confidentially. At this stage we can discuss what is required of an appointed water company and the criteria your proposal will have to meet. It allows time for potential problems and issues to be examined and is an opportunity to discuss the costs involved in making an application.

You can contact Dan Mason, 0121 644 7629, daniel.mason@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk to discuss a potential application.

2. Prepare a complete application — applicant

You will need to talk to us and the relevant existing appointed water companies to help you prepare your application. We cannot accept a proposal without full supporting evidence or information. Find out more about the information to be submitted.

2.a. Agree terms of a bulk supply or sewer connection agreement — applicant, existing appointed water company

If your application requires a bulk supply or sewer connection agreement, you should negotiate the terms of the agreement with the relevant appointed water company before you submit your application. Your complete application should include details of any terms that have been agreed. If you are unable to reach agreement on any terms, you can request a determination from us.

Application - submission and consideration

3. Submit complete application to Ofwat and copy to relevant appointed water companies — applicant

When you submit your application to us you should send a copy to the relevant appointed water companies.

Within 14 days of submission, you must publish a notice of your application and provide copies of the notices to us.

4. Assessment of the application — Ofwat Up to 6 weeks

Once we have received your application, we will check that it contains the correct information, meets the criteria and make enquiries about any part of the application. This may take up to 6 weeks.

4.a. Determination of terms — Ofwat Up to 8 weeks

If you cannot agree the terms of a bulk supply or sewer connection agreement, you can request a determination from us. We may require up to eight weeks (as a guide) to gather information and consider all views before making a decision.

As far as possible, we will progress your application and determination at the same time.

4.b. Decide whether to continue — Applicant

Following our determination of the terms of a bulk supply or sewer connection agreement, you must decide whether you want to continue with your application. There is no limit on how long you can take to decide but the price offered will not be available indefinitely and it may become necessary to review our determination.

5. Statutory public consultation — Ofwat 28 days to 12 weeks

If we propose to grant you an appointment, we will consult publicly for a minimum of 28 days. In addition to the public consultation, we will notify the relevant appointed water companies, the Environment Agency and the local authorities in the area. If an application raises new issues to be addressed, the consultation period may be longer than 28 days.

Decision

6. Consideration of responses to the consultation — Ofwat Up to 2 weeks

Before deciding whether to grant an appointment, we will consider the responses to the consultation. If objections are raised we will try to resolve them as quickly as possible.

7. Our intention to make the appointment is made public — Ofwat Up to 2 weeks

Once we have decided (subject to customer consent) to make an appointment we will publish this decision on our website.

Consent and appointment

8. Final consent to the proposal — Customer At customer's discretion

If your site has an existing customer, then we cannot make the appointment until they give formal written consent. There is no time limit on how long they can take to decide. If the site has no current customer we need a letter of support from the developer of the site.

9. New appointment made — Ofwat Up to 2 weeks

Once we have received consent from the customer, we will grant an appointment. We will either issue you a new appointment or vary your existing appointment if you already have one. We will notify the relevant appointed water companies and other parties such as the Environment Agency and the local authorities once we have done so.