The Southampton to London Pipeline Development Consent Order 2020

Retained apparatus: Protection: National Grid Electricity Transmission plc

79.—(1) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any authorised works that are near to, or will or may affect, any apparatus the removal of which has not been required by the undertaker under paragraph 77(2) or otherwise, the undertaker must submit to the statutory undertaker a plan of the works to be executed and seek from the statutory undertaker details of the underground extent of their electricity tower foundations.

(2) In relation to works which will or may be situated on, over, under or within 15 metres measured in any direction of any apparatus or involve embankment works within 15 metres of any apparatus, 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;

(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;

(f) any intended maintenance regimes; and

(g) an assessment of risks of rise of earth issues.

(3) In relation to any works which will or may be situated on, over, under or within 10 metres of any part of the foundations of an electricity tower or between any two or more electricity towers, the plan to be submitted under sub-paragraph (1) must, in addition to the matters set out in sub-paragraph (2), include a method statement describing—

(a) details of any cable trench design including route, dimensions, clearance to pylon foundations;

(b) demonstration that pylon foundations will not be affected prior to, during and post construction;

(c) details of load bearing capacities of trenches;

(d) details of cable installation methodology including access arrangements, jointing bays and backfill methodology;

(e) a written management plan for high voltage hazard during construction and ongoing maintenance of the cable route;

(f) written details of the operations and maintenance regime for the cable, including frequency and method of access;

(g) assessment of earth rise potential if reasonably required by National Grid’s engineers; and

(h) evidence that trench bearing capacity is to be designed to 26 tonnes to take the weight of overhead line construction traffic.

(4) The undertaker must not commence any works to which sub-paragraphs (2) or (3) apply until the statutory undertaker has given written approval of the plan so submitted.

(5) Any approval of the statutory undertaker required under sub-paragraphs (2) or (3)—

(a) may be given subject to reasonable conditions for any purpose mentioned in sub-paragraphs (6) or 8); and

(b) must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(6) In relation to any work to which sub-paragraphs (2) or (3) 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 no less convenient means of access to any apparatus.

(7) 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 (5), 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 (6) or (8) 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 will be entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.

(8) Where the statutory undertaker reasonably 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 undertaker’s reasonable satisfaction prior to the commencement of any authorised works (or any relevant part thereof) for which protective works are required.

(9) If the statutory undertaker in accordance with sub-paragraphs (6) or (8) 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 71 to 73 and 76 to 78 apply as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under paragraph 77(2).

(10) 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.

(11) The undertaker is not 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-paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) insofar as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; and

(b) comply with sub-paragraph (12) at all times.

(12) At all times when carrying out any works authorised under the Order, the undertaker must comply with the statutory undertaker’s policies for development near overhead lines EN43-8 and HSE’s guidance note 6 “Avoidance of Danger from Overhead Lines”.

(13) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any specified works the undertaker must submit to the statutory undertaker a ground monitoring scheme in respect of those works, and as soon as reasonably practicable after 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 81 (indemnity).