The National Grid (Richborough Connection Project) Development Consent Order 2017

Temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development

30.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), at any time during the maintenance periods relating to any part of the authorised development, the undertaker may—

(a) enter upon and take temporary possession of any land within the Order limits if such possession is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development;

(b) construct such temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on the land as may be reasonably necessary for that purpose; and

(c) enter on any land within the Order limits for the purpose of gaining access as is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not authorise the undertaker to take temporary possession of—

(a) any house or garden belonging to a house; or

(b) any building (other than a house) if it is for the time being occupied.

(3) Not less than 28 days before entering upon and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker must serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.

(4) The undertaker may remain in possession of land under this article only for so long as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the maintenance of the part of the authorised development for which possession of the land was taken.

(5) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker must remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land.

(6) The undertaker must pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the powers conferred by this article.

(7) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (6), or as to the amount of the compensation, must be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(8) Nothing in this article affects any liability to pay compensation under section 152 of the 2008 Act (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the maintenance of the authorised development, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (6).

(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker is not required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(10) Section 13 of the 1965 Act (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) applies to the temporary use of land pursuant to this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 of the 2008 Act (application of compulsory acquisition provisions).

(11) In this article “the maintenance periods” in relation to any part of the authorised development means the period of five years beginning with the date on which that part of the authorised development is brought into operational use, except where the authorised development is mitigation planting where “the maintenance periods” means the period of five years beginning with the date on which that part of the mitigation planting is completed.