161.—(1) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any specified works the undertaker must submit to UKOP a plan and, if reasonably required by UKOP, a ground monitoring scheme in respect of those works taking place within 20 metres of the apparatus.
(2) The plan to be submitted to UKOP under sub-paragraph (1) must include a method statement and describe—
(a)the exact position of the works and details of any infrastructure machinery or vehicles to be used in connection therewith;
(b)the level at which these are proposed to be constructed or renewed;
(c)the manner of their construction or renewal including details of all excavation, positioning of plant etc and any works’ compounds;
(d)the position of all apparatus and fencelines;
(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) In relation to any works which will or may be situated within 6.1 metres measured in any direction of any apparatus (the removal of which has not been required by the undertaker under paragraph 157(2) or otherwise), the plan to be submitted under sub-paragraph (1) must also describe—
(a)details of any trench design including route, dimensions and clearance to the apparatus;
(b)demonstration that the apparatus will not be affected prior to, during and post construction; and
(c)details of load bearing capacities of trenches.
(4) The undertaker must not commence any works to which sub-paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) apply until UKOP has given written approval of the plan so submitted.
(5) UKOP may within 10 working days of initial receipt of the plan submitted under sub-paragraph (1) raise any additional questions or comments or request further information and/or clarification in relation to the plan.
(6) Any approval of UKOP required under sub-paragraph (4):
(a)may be given subject to reasonable conditions for any purpose mentioned in sub-paragraphs (8) or (10); and
(b)must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(7) UKOP is deemed to have approved the plan as submitted under sub-paragraph (1) if UKOP has not intimated its approval or disapproval of the plan, and the grounds of that disapproval, within 30 working days after the plan or the responses to any additional questions, comments, further information or clarification raised or requested under sub-paragraph (5) has been received by UKOP.
(8) In relation to any work to which sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and/or (3) apply, UKOP 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 for the provision of protective works or for the purpose of providing or securing proper and convenient means of access to any apparatus.
(9) Works executed under sub-paragraphs (1) or (2) must be executed in accordance with the plan, submitted under sub-paragraph (1) or as relevant sub-paragraph (6), as approved or as amended from time to time by agreement between the undertaker and UKOP and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with sub-paragraphs (8) or (10) by UKOP for the alteration or otherwise for the protection of the apparatus, or for securing access to it, and UKOP will be entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.
(10) Where UKOP 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 UKOP’s satisfaction, acting reasonably, prior to the commencement of any specified works for which protective works are required and UKOP give notice of its requirement for such works within 42 days of the date of submission of a plan pursuant to this paragraph (except in an emergency).
(11) If UKOP in accordance with sub-paragraphs (8) or (10) 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, sub-paragraphs (1) to (4) and (8) to (10) apply as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under paragraph 159(2).
(12) 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 specified 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.
(13) The undertaker will 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 UKOP notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan of those works and must comply with sub-paragraphs (8), (9) and (10) insofar as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances and comply with sub-paragraph (14) at all times.
(14) At all times when carrying out any works authorised under the Order the undertaker must ensure that all works comply with:
(a)Linewatch’s Booklet for Special Requirements for safe working in close proximity to high pressure pipelines (rev23.03; and
(b)Linesearch Before U Dig (LinesearchbeforeUdig Safety Practices - LinesearchbeforeUdig (lsbud.co.uk)); and
(c)The United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators’ Association Good Practice Guides (Good Practice Guides | UKOPA); and
(d)The Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996; and
(e)The Pipe-lines Act 1962;
(all as updated or replaced from time to time).
(15) 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 UKOP retains the right to carry out any further reasonably necessary protective works for the safeguarding of its apparatus and can recover any such reasonable costs in line with paragraph 160 (Expenses and costs).