This section applies where at any time—
Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, where this section applies the appropriate agency may serve a notice on the holder of any of the licences reducing, during such period as may be specified in the notice, the quantity of water authorised to be abstracted in pursuance of the licence from the source of supply for use for the purpose of spray irrigation; and, in relation to that period, the licence shall have effect accordingly subject to that reduction.
The appropriate agency shall not serve a notice under this section in respect of abstraction of water from underground strata unless it appears to the appropriate agency that such abstraction is likely to affect the flow, level or volume of any inland waters which are not discrete waters.
In the exercise of the power conferred by this section in a case where there are two or more licences under this Chapter in force authorising abstraction from the same source of supply either at the same point or at points which, in the opinion of the appropriate agency, are not far distant from each other—
The provisions of this section shall have effect without prejudice to the exercise of any power conferred by sections 51 to 54 above.