The Hornsea Two Offshore Wind Farm Order 2016

Pre-construction monitoring and surveys

13.—(1) The undertaker must, in discharging Condition 8(2)(a), submit details for written approval by the MMO in consultation with the relevant conservation body of proposed pre-construction surveys, including methodologies (including appropriate buffers, where relevant) and timings, and a proposed format and content for a pre-construction baseline report; and—

(a) the survey proposals must be in general accordance with the principles set out in the in-principle monitoring plan and must specify each survey’s objectives and explain how it will assist in either informing a useful and valid comparison with the post-construction position and/or will enable the validation or otherwise of key predictions in the environmental statement; and

(b) the baseline report proposals must ensure that the outcome of the agreed surveys together with existing data and reports are drawn together to present a valid statement of the pre-construction position, with any limitations, and must make clear what post-construction comparison is intended and the justification for this being required.

(2) Subject to receipt from the undertaker of specific proposals pursuant to this Condition, so far as applicable, the pre-construction surveys must comprise, in outline—

(a) a high-resolution swath bathymetric survey to include a 100% coverage and a side-scan sonar survey of the parts of the wind farm area in which it is proposed to carry out construction works and disposal activities under this licence;

(b) any ornithological monitoring required by the ornithological monitoring plan submitted in accordance with Condition 8(2)(k);

(c) a survey to determine the location, extent and composition of any benthic habitats of conservation, ecological and/or economic importance (including Annex 1 habitats) in the parts of the wind farm area in which it is proposed to carry out construction works under this licence; and

(d) any marine mammal monitoring required by the plan for marine mammal monitoring submitted in accordance with Condition 8(2)(h).

(3) The undertaker must carry out the surveys agreed under paragraph (1) and provide the baseline report to the MMO in the agreed format in accordance with the agreed timetable, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.