The Sizewell C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2022

PART 1 PROTECTION FOR ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER AND SEWERAGE UNDERTAKERS

Application

1.  The provisions of this Part have effect for the protection of the statutory undertakers referred to in this Part, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the undertaker and the statutory undertaker concerned.

Interpretation

2.  In addition to article 2 (interpretation), the terms in this Part have the following meanings—

“alternative apparatus” means alternative apparatus adequate to enable the statutory undertaker in question to fulfil its statutory functions in a manner not less efficient than previously;

“apparatus” means—

(a)

in the case of a statutory undertaker within sub-paragraph (a) of the definition of that term, electric lines or electrical plant (as defined in the Electricity Act 1989(1)), belonging to or maintained by the statutory undertaker for the purposes of electricity supply;

(b)

in the case of a statutory undertaker within sub-paragraph (b) of the definition of that term, any mains, pipes or other apparatus belonging to or maintained by the statutory undertaker for the purposes of gas supply;

(c)

in the case of a statutory undertaker within sub-paragraph (c) of the definition of that term, mains, pipes or other water apparatus belonging to or maintained by the statutory undertaker for the purposes of water supply; and

(d)

in the case of a sewerage undertaker—

(i)

any drain or works vested in the sewerage undertaker under the Water Industry Act 1991; and

(ii)

any sewer which is so vested or is the subject of a notice of intention to adopt given under section 102(4) of that Act or an agreement to adopt made under section 104 of that Act,

and includes a sludge main, disposal main (within the meaning of section 219 of that Act) or sewer outfall and any manholes, ventilating shafts, pumps or other accessories forming part of any such sewer, drain or works, and in each case includes any structure in which apparatus is or is to be lodged or which gives or will give access to apparatus;

“in” in a context referring to apparatus or alternative apparatus in land includes a reference to apparatus or alternative apparatus under, over or upon land;

“statutory undertaker” means—

(a)

any licence holder within the meaning of Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989; and

(b)

a gas transporter within the meaning of Part 1 of the Gas Act 1986(2);

(c)

a water undertaker within the meaning of the Water Industry Act 1991;

(d)

a sewerage undertaker within the meaning of Part 1 of the Water Industry Act 1991; and

(e)

for the area of the authorised development, and in relation to any apparatus, means the statutory undertaker to whom it belongs or by whom it is maintained.

On-street apparatus

3.  This Part does not apply to apparatus in respect of which the relations between the undertaker and the statutory undertaker are regulated by Part 3 of the 1991 Act.

Acquisition of apparatus

4.  Despite any provision in this Order or anything shown on the Land Plans, the undertaker must not acquire any apparatus otherwise than by agreement.

Removal of apparatus

5.—(1) If, in the exercise of the powers conferred by this Order, the undertaker acquires any interest in any land in which any apparatus is placed, that apparatus must not be removed under this Part of this Schedule and any right of a statutory undertaker to maintain that apparatus in that land and to gain access to it will not be extinguished until, if so required by the statutory undertaker, alternative apparatus has been constructed and is in operation to the reasonable satisfaction of the statutory undertaker in question.

(2) If, for the purpose of executing any works in, on or under any land purchased, held, appropriated or used under this Order, the undertaker requires the removal of any apparatus placed in that land, it must give to the statutory undertaker in question 28 days’ written notice of that requirement, together with a plan and section of the work proposed and of the proposed position of the alternative apparatus to be provided or constructed and in that case (or if in consequence of the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this Order a statutory undertaker reasonably needs to remove any of its apparatus) the undertaker must, subject to paragraph 5(3), afford to the statutory undertaker the necessary facilities and rights for the construction of alternative apparatus in other land of the undertaker and subsequently for the maintenance of that apparatus.

(3) If alternative apparatus or any part of such apparatus is to be constructed as a consequence of the removal of apparatus placed on land other than that of the undertaker, or the undertaker is unable to afford such facilities and rights as are mentioned in paragraph 5(2), the statutory undertaker in question, must on receipt of a written notice to that effect from the undertaker, as soon as reasonably possible use its reasonable endeavours to obtain the necessary facilities and rights in other land in which the alternative apparatus is to be constructed.

(4) Any alternative apparatus to be constructed in land of the undertaker under this Part of this Schedule must be constructed in such manner and in such line or situation as may be agreed between the statutory undertaker in question and the undertaker or in default of agreement settled by arbitration in accordance with article 84 (arbitration).

(5) The statutory undertaker in question must, after the alternative apparatus to be provided or constructed has been agreed or settled by arbitration in accordance with article 84 (arbitration), and after the grant to the statutory undertaker of any such facilities and rights as are referred to in paragraphs 5(2) and (3), proceed without unnecessary delay to construct and bring into operation the alternative apparatus and subsequently to remove any apparatus required by the undertaker to be removed under this Part of this Schedule.

(6) Despite anything in paragraph 5(5), if the undertaker gives notice in writing to the statutory undertaker in question that it desires itself to execute any work, or part of any work in connection with the construction or removal of apparatus, that work, instead of being executed by the statutory undertaker, must be executed by the undertaker without unnecessary delay under the superintendence, if given, and to the reasonable satisfaction of the statutory undertaker.

(7) Nothing in paragraph 5(6) authorises the undertaker to execute the placing, installation, bedding, packing, removal, connection or disconnection of any apparatus, or execute any filling around the apparatus (where the apparatus is laid in a trench) within 300 millimetres of the apparatus without the prior approval of the statutory undertaker (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus

6.—(1) Where, in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Schedule, the undertaker affords to a statutory undertaker facilities and rights for the construction and maintenance in land of the undertaker for alternative apparatus in substitution for apparatus to be removed, those facilities and rights will be granted upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed between the undertaker and the statutory undertaker in question or in default of agreement settled by arbitration in accordance with article 84 (arbitration).

(2) In settling those terms and conditions in respect of alternative apparatus to be constructed in the land of the undertaker, the arbitrator will—

(a) give effect to all reasonable requirements of the undertaker for ensuring the safety and efficient operation of the authorised development and for securing any subsequent alterations or adaptations of the alternative apparatus which may be required to prevent interference with any proposed works of the undertaker; and

(b) so far as it may be reasonable and practicable to do so in the circumstances of the particular case, give effect to the terms and conditions, if any, applicable to the apparatus constructed in or on the land for which the alternative apparatus is to be substituted.

(3) If the facilities and rights to be afforded by the undertaker in respect of any alternative apparatus, and the terms and conditions subject to which those facilities and rights are to be granted, are in the opinion of the arbitrator less favourable on the whole to the statutory undertaker in question than the facilities and rights enjoyed by it in respect of the apparatus to be removed and the terms and conditions to which those facilities and rights are subject, the arbitrator may make such provision for the payment of compensation by the undertaker to that statutory undertaker as appears to the arbitrator to be reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the particular case.

Retained apparatus: protection

7.—(1) Not less than 28 days before starting the execution of any authorised works authorised by this Order that are near to, or will or may affect, or where construction access is to be taken over, any apparatus the removal of which has not been required by the undertaker under paragraph 5(2), the undertaker must submit to the statutory undertaker in question a plan, section and description of the works to be executed.

(2) Those works must be executed only in accordance with the plan, section and description submitted under paragraph 7(1) and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with paragraph 7(3) by the statutory undertaker for the alteration or otherwise for the protection of the apparatus, or for securing access to it, and the statutory undertaker is entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.

(3) Any requirements made by a statutory undertaker under paragraph 7(2) must be made within a period of 21 days beginning with the date on which a plan, section and description under sub-paragraph (1) are submitted to it.

(4) If a statutory undertaker in accordance with paragraph 7(3) and in consequence of the works proposed by the undertaker, reasonably requires the removal of any apparatus and gives written notice to the undertaker of that requirement, paragraph 5 applies as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under sub-paragraph (2) of that paragraph.

(5) Nothing in this paragraph precludes the undertaker from submitting at any time or from time to time, but in no case less than 28 days before commencing the execution of any works, a new plan, section and description instead of the plan, section and description previously submitted, and having done so the provisions of this paragraph apply to and in respect of the new plan, section and description.

(6) The undertaker is not required to comply with paragraph 7(2) in a case of emergency but in that case it must give to the statutory undertaker in question notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan, section and description of those works as soon as reasonably practicable subsequently and must comply with paragraph 7(2) in so far as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.

Compensation

8.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), if by reason or in consequence of the construction of any of the works referred to in paragraph 5(2), any damage is caused to any apparatus (other than apparatus the repair of which is not reasonably necessary in view of its intended removal for the purposes of those works) or property of a statutory undertaker, or there is any interruption in any service provided, or in the supply of any goods, by any statutory undertaker, the undertaker must—

(a) bear and pay on demand the cost reasonably incurred by that statutory undertaker in making good such damage or restoring the supply; and

(b) make reasonable compensation to that statutory undertaker for any other expenses, loss, demands or proceedings, damages, claims, penalty or costs incurred by the statutory undertaker,

by reason or in consequence of any such damage or interruption.

(2) Nothing in paragraph 8(1) must impose any liability on the undertaker with respect to any damage or interruption to the extent that it is attributable to the neglect or default of a statutory undertaker, its officers, servants, contractors or agents.

(3) A statutory undertaker must give the undertaker reasonable prior written notice of any claim or demand, and no settlement or compromise may be made without the consent of the undertaker.

Expenses

9.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the undertaker must pay to the statutory undertaker in question the reasonable expenses incurred by that statutory undertaker in, or in connection with, the inspection, removal, alteration or protection of any apparatus.

(2) The value of any apparatus removed under this Part is to be deducted from any sum payable under paragraph 9(1), that value being calculated after removal.

(3) If in accordance with this Part—

(a) apparatus of better type, of greater capacity or of greater dimensions is placed in substitution for existing apparatus of worse type, of smaller capacity or of smaller dimensions; or

(b) apparatus (whether existing apparatus or apparatus substituted for existing apparatus) is placed at a depth greater than the depth at which the existing apparatus was,

and the placing of apparatus of that type or capacity or of those dimensions or the placing of apparatus at that depth, as the case may be, is not agreed by the undertaker or, in default of agreement, is not determined by arbitration in accordance with article 84 (arbitration) to be necessary, then, if such placing involves cost in the construction of works under this Part exceeding that which would have been involved if the apparatus placed had been of the existing type, capacity or dimensions, or at the existing depth, as the case may be, the amount which apart from this sub-paragraph would be payable to the statutory undertaker in question by virtue of paragraph 9(1) is to be reduced by the amount of that excess.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) an extension of apparatus to a length greater than the length of existing apparatus is not to be treated as a placing of apparatus of greater dimensions than those of the existing apparatus; and

(b) where the provision of a joint in a cable is agreed, or is determined to be necessary, the consequential provision of a jointing chamber or of a manhole is to be treated as if it also had been agreed or had been so determined.

(5) An amount which apart from this sub-paragraph would be payable to a statutory undertaker in respect of works by virtue of paragraph 9(1) must, if the works include the placing of apparatus provided in substitution for apparatus placed more than 7 years and 6 months earlier so as to confer on the statutory undertaker in question any financial benefit by deferment of the time for renewal of the apparatus in the ordinary course, be reduced by the amount which represents that benefit.

Co-operation

10.—(1) Where, under this Part, the statutory undertaker is required to give its consent or approval in respect of any matter, that consent or approval must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(2) In respect of any specified work or the acquisition of rights under or over or use of the statutory undertaker’s property, the statutory undertaker must co-operate with the undertaker with a view to avoiding undue delay.

Agreements

11.  Nothing in this Part affects the provisions of any agreement regulating the relations between the undertaker and a statutory undertaker in respect of any apparatus laid or erected in land belonging to the undertaker on the date on which this Order is made.

(1)

1989 c. 29. The definition of “electric plant” was amended by paragraph 38(3) of Part II of Schedule 6 to the Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27). The definition of “licence holder” was amended by section 13 of the Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27). There are other amendments to the Electricity Act 1989 which are not relevant to this Order.

(2)

1986 c. 44.