The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023

Post-construction monitoring

19.—(1) The undertaker must, in discharging condition 13(1)(f), for each stage of construction submit a post-construction monitoring plan or plans for that stage in accordance with an outline marine monitoring plan for written approval by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body including details of proposed post-construction surveys, including methodologies (including appropriate buffers, where relevant) and timings, and a proposed format, content and timings for providing reports on the results. The survey proposals must be in accordance with the principles set out in the outline marine monitoring plan and must specify each survey’s objectives and explain how it will assist in either informing a useful and valid comparison with the pre–construction position and/or will enable the validation or otherwise of key predictions in the environmental statement.

(2) Subject to receipt of specific proposals the post-construction survey plan or plans must include, in outline—

(a) details of a survey to determine any change in the location, extent and composition of any biogenic or geogenic reef feature identified in the pre-construction survey in the parts of the offshore Order limits in which construction works were carried out. The survey design must be informed by the results of the pre-construction benthic survey;

(b) a bathymetric survey to monitor the effectiveness of archaeological exclusion zones. The data will be analysed by an accredited archaeologist as defined in the marine written scheme of archaeological investigation required under condition 13(2);

(c) vessel traffic monitoring by automatic identification system for a duration of three consecutive years following the completion of construction of the authorised scheme, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO, with provision for a report to be submitted annually to the MMO, Trinity House, and the MCA; and

(d) a bathymetry survey of the installed export cable that meets the requirements of IHO S44ed5 Order 1a and MGN654 Annex 4 ‘Hydrography Guidelines for Offshore Renewable Energy Developers’.

(3) The undertaker must carry out the surveys specified within the post-construction monitoring plan or plans in accordance with that plan or plans, and provide the agreed reports in the agreed format unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

(4) Within 12 weeks of completion of any cable repair or replacement works, the undertaker must undertake a post installation survey along the section of cable that has undergone repair or replacement to demonstrate the successful burial of the cable, and submit a report to the MMO on its findings.