The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023

Protection of Dogger Bank

9.—(1) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any specified works the undertaker must submit to Dogger Bank a plan and, if reasonably required by Dogger Bank, a ground monitoring scheme in respect of those works.

(2) The plan to be submitted to Dogger Bank under sub-paragraph (1) must include a method statement and describe—

(a) the exact position of the works;

(b) the level at which these are proposed to be constructed or renewed;

(c) the manner of their construction or renewal including details of excavation, positioning of plant etc.;

(d) the position of all Dogger Bank authorised development;

(e) by way of detailed drawings, every alteration proposed to be made to or close to any of the Dogger Bank authorised development; and

(f) any intended maintenance regimes.

(3) The undertaker must not commence any works to which sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) apply until Dogger Bank has given written approval of the plan so submitted.

(4) Any approval of Dogger Bank required under sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) may be given subject to reasonable conditions for any purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) or (7); and

(b) must not be unreasonably withheld.

(5) In relation to a work to which sub-paragraphs (1) and/or (2) apply, Dogger Bank may require such modifications to be made to the plans as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of securing the Dogger Bank authorised development against interference or risk of damage or for the provision of protective works or for the purpose of providing or securing proper and convenient means of access to any of the Dogger Bank authorised development.

(6) Works to which this paragraph applies must only be executed in accordance with the plan, submitted under sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) or as relevant sub-paragraph (5), as amended from time to time by agreement between the undertaker and Dogger Bank and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) and/or (7) by Dogger Bank for the alteration or otherwise for the protection of the Dogger Bank authorised development, or for securing access to it, and Dogger Bank will be entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.

(7) Where Dogger Bank requires any protective works to be carried out by itself or by the undertaker (whether of a temporary or permanent nature) such protective works, inclusive of any measures or schemes required and approved as part of the plan approved pursuant to this paragraph, must be carried out to Dogger Bank’s satisfaction prior to the commencement of any specified works for which protective works are required and Dogger Bank must give notice of its requirement for such protective works within 42 days of the date of submission of a plan pursuant to this paragraph (except in an emergency).

(8) Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the undertaker from submitting at any time or from time to time, but in no case less than 56 days before commencing the execution of any specified works. a new plan, instead of the plan previously submitted, and having done so the provisions of this paragraph will apply to and in respect of the new plan.

(9) The undertaker will not be required to comply with sub-paragraph (1) where it needs to carry out emergency works as defined in the 1991 Act but in that case it must give to Dogger Bank notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan of those works and must—

(a) comply with sub-paragraphs (5), (6) and (7) insofar as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; and

(b) comply with sub-paragraph (10) at all times.

(10) As soon as reasonably practicable after any ground subsidence event attributable to the authorised development the undertaker shall implement an appropriate ground mitigation scheme save that Dogger Bank retains the right to carry out any further necessary protective works for the safeguarding of its apparatus and can recover any such costs in line with paragraph 10.