54.—(1) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any specified works the undertaker must submit to the statutory undertaker a plan and, if reasonably required by the statutory undertaker, a ground monitoring scheme in respect of those works.
(2) The plan to be submitted to the statutory undertaker 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 apparatus;
(e)by way of detailed drawings, every alteration proposed to be made to or close to any such apparatus; and
(f)any intended maintenance regimes.
(3) The undertaker must not commence any works to which sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) apply until the statutory undertaker has given written approval of the plan so submitted.
(4) Any approval of the statutory undertaker required under sub-paragraph (2)—
(a)may be given subject to reasonable conditions for any purpose mentioned in sub-paragraphs (5) and (7); and
(b)must not be unreasonably withheld.
(5) In relation to any work to which sub-paragraphs (1) and/or (2) apply, the statutory undertaker may require such modifications to be made to the plans as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of securing its apparatus against interference or risk of damage or for the purpose of providing or securing proper and convenient means of access to any apparatus.
(6) Works to which this paragraph applies must only be executed in accordance with the plan, submitted under sub-paragraph (1) or as relevant sub paragraph (4), as approved or as amended from time to time by agreement between the undertaker and the statutory undertaker and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) or (7) 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 must be entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.
(7) Where the statutory undertaker 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 the statutory undertakers’ satisfaction prior to the commencement of any authorised works (or any relevant part thereof) for which protective works are required and the statutory undertaker must give 56 days’ notice of such works from the date of submission of a plan pursuant to this paragraph (except in an emergency).
(8) If the statutory undertaker in accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) or (7) 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, paragraphs 48 to 50 and 51 to 53 apply as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under paragraph 52(2).
(9) Nothing in this paragraph precludes 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 the authorised 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.
(10) The undertaker must 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 the statutory undertaker notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan of those works and must—
(a)comply with sub-paragraph (5), (6) and (7) insofar as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; and
(b)comply with sub-paragraph (11) at all times.
(11) At all times when carrying out any works authorised under the Order the undertaker must comply with the statutory undertaker’s policies for safe working in proximity to gas apparatus “Specification for safe working in the vicinity of National Grid, High pressure Gas pipelines and associated installation requirements for third parties T/SP/SSW22” and HSE’s “HS(~G)47 Avoiding Danger from underground services”.
(12) As soon as reasonably practicable under any ground subsidence event attributable to the authorised development the undertaker must implement an appropriate ground mitigation scheme save that the statutory undertaker 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 56.