The East Anglia TWO Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022

PART 2 E+W+S Alde-Ore Estuary Special Protection Area: Lesser black-backed gull Compensation Measures

1.  In this Part— E+W+S

“the lesser black-backed gull compensation plan” means Appendices 5 and 7 of the Offshore Ornithology Without Prejudice Compensation Measures.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 1 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

2.  The authorised development may not be commenced until a plan for the work of the lesser black-backed gull compensation steering group (“ LBBCSG”) has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of State. Such plan to include— E+W+S

(a) terms of Reference of the LBBCSG;

(b) details of the membership of the LBBCSG;

(c) details of the schedule of meetings, timetable for preparation of the lesser black-backed gull implementation and monitoring plan (the “LBBIMP”) and reporting and review periods; and

(d) the dispute resolution mechanism.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 2 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

3.  Following consultation with the LBBCSG, the LBBIMP must be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval (in consultation with the MMO, the local planning authority for any land containing the predator control fencing, and the relevant statutory nature conservation body). The LBBCSG must be consulted further as required during the approval process. The LBBIMP must be based on the strategy for lesser black-backed gull compensation set out in the lesser black-backed gull compensation plan and include— E+W+S

(a) details of the location where compensation measures will be deployed, why the location is appropriate ecologically and likely to support successful compensation, and details of agreements demonstrating how any land and/or rights will or have been secured to deliver the ecology objectives of the LBBIMP;

(b) details of designs of any predator control fencing including the type of fencing and area and location of enclosure, and details of any other habitats management measures;

(c) an implementation timetable for delivery of any predator control fencing and any other habitat management measures that ensures relevant compensation measures are in place to allow four full lesser black-backed gull breeding seasons prior to the operation of any wind turbine generator forming part of the authorised development;

(d) details of the proposed ongoing monitoring of the measures including: survey methods; survey programmes; success criteria; recording of LBBCSG consultations and project reviews; adaptive management measures and details of the factors used to trigger alternative compensation measures and/ or adaptive management measures;

(e) details of the maintenance schedule for any predator proof fencing; and

(f) details of the work in respect of ornithological by-catch measures as set out in Appendix 7 of the Offshore Ornithology Without Prejudice Compensation Measures, that could support practical management measures to reduce ornithological by-catch, and which would be undertaken alongside or in place of the predator control fencing.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 3 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

4.  The undertaker must not commence the authorised development unless it has first— E+W+S

(a) provided a reasonable estimate of the cost of delivery of the compensation measures; and

(b) put in place either—

(i) a guarantee in respect of the reasonable estimate of costs associated with the delivery of the compensation measures; or

(ii) an alternative form of security for that purpose,

that has been approved by the Secretary of State.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 4 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

5.  The undertaker must implement the measures as set out in the LBBIMP approved by the Secretary of State, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Secretary of State in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body and the relevant local planning authority. In particular, no operation of any turbine forming part of the authorised development may begin until four full breeding seasons following the implementation of the measures set out in the LBBIMP have elapsed. For the purposes of this paragraph each breeding season is assumed to have commenced on 1st March in each year and ended on 30th September. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 5 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

6.  The undertaker shall notify the Secretary of State of completion of implementation of the measures set out in the LBBIMP. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 6 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

7.  Results from the monitoring scheme must be submitted at least annually to the Secretary of State and the relevant statutory nature conservation body. This must include details of any finding that the measures have been ineffective in securing an increase in the number of adult lesser black-backed gulls available to recruit to the SPA and, in such case, proposals to address this. Any proposals to address effectiveness must thereafter be implemented by the undertaker as approved in writing by the Secretary of State in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 7 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

8.  Any predator proof fencing installed must not be decommissioned without written approval of the Secretary of State, in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body. The predator control fencing shall be maintained beyond the operational lifetime of the authorised development if the site is colonised. The routine and adaptive management measures and monitoring should continue whilst the fencing is in place. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 8 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

9.  The LBBIMP approved under this Schedule includes any amendments that may subsequently be approved in writing by the Secretary of State. Any amendments to or variations of the approved LBBIMP must be in accordance with the principles set out in the lesser black-backed gull compensation plan and may only be approved where it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that it is unlikely to give rise to any materially new or materially different environmental effects from those considered in the lesser black-backed gull compensation plan. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 9 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)

10.  In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the lesser black-backed gull compensation plan and the provisions of this Order, the provisions of this Order shall prevail. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 18 Pt. 2 para. 10 in force at 22.4.2022, see art. 1(2)