The Sizewell C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2022

Protective work to buildings

26.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this article, the undertaker may at its own expense carry out such protective works to any building lying within the Order limits as the undertaker considers necessary or expedient.

(2) Protective works may be carried out—

(a) at any time before or during the carrying out in the vicinity of the building of any part of the authorised development; or

(b) after the completion of that part of the authorised development in the vicinity of the building at any time up to the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which that part of the authorised development is first opened for use.

(3) For the purpose of determining how the functions under this article are to be exercised, the undertaker may enter and survey any building falling within paragraph (1) and any land within its curtilage, and place on, leave on, and remove from the building any apparatus and equipment for use in connection with the survey.

(4) For the purpose of carrying out protective works under this article to a building the undertaker may (subject to paragraphs (5) and (6))—

(a) enter the building and any land within its curtilage; and

(b) where the works cannot be carried out reasonably conveniently without entering land which is adjacent to the building but outside its curtilage, enter the adjacent land (but not any building erected on it).

(5) Before exercising—

(a) a right under paragraph (1) to carry out protective works to a building;

(b) a right under paragraph (3) to enter and survey any building and any land within its curtilage and place on, leave on or remove any apparatus or equipment;

(c) a right under paragraph (4)(a) to enter a building and land within its curtilage; or

(d) a right under paragraph (4)(b) to enter land,

the undertaker must, except in the case of emergency, serve on the owners and occupiers of the building or land not less than 14 days’ notice of its intention to exercise that right and, in a case falling within sub-paragraph (a) to (d), the notice must specify the protective works proposed to be carried out.

(6) Where a notice is served under paragraph (5), the owner or occupier of the building or land concerned may, by serving a counter-notice within the period of 10 days beginning with the day on which the notice was served, require the question whether it is necessary or expedient to carry out the protective works or to enter the building or land to be referred to arbitration under article 84 (Arbitration).

(7) The undertaker must compensate the owners and occupiers of any building or land in relation to which rights under this article have been exercised for any loss or damage arising to them by reason of the exercise of those rights.

(8) Where—

(a) protective works are carried out under this article to a building; and

(b) within the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which the part of the authorised development carried out in the vicinity of the building is first opened for use it appears that the protective works are inadequate to protect the building against damage caused by the carrying out or use of that part of the authorised development,

the undertaker must compensate the owners and occupiers of the building for any loss or damage sustained by them.

(9) Nothing in this article will relieve the undertaker from any liability to pay compensation under section 152 of the 2008 Act (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance).

(10) Any compensation payable under paragraphs (7) or (8) will be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act (determination of questions of disputed compensation).

(11) Subject to paragraph (6), section 13(1) (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the entry onto, or possession of land under this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125(2) (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.

(12) In this article “protective works” in relation to a building means—

(a) underpinning, strengthening and any other works the purpose of which is to prevent damage which may be caused to the building by the carrying out, maintenance or use of the authorised development; and

(b) any works the purpose of which is to remedy any damage which has been caused to the building by the carrying out, maintenance or use of the authorised development.

(1)

As amended by sections 62(3) and 139(4)-(9) of, paragraphs 27 and 28 of Schedule 13 and Part 3 of Schedule 223 to, the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15).

(2)

As amended by section 190 of, and paragraph 17 of Schedule 16 to, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22).