The Sunnica Energy Farm Order 2024

Ground conditions

18.—(1) No phase of the authorised development may commence, and no part of the permitted preliminary works for that phase comprising demolition of existing structures, environmental surveys, geotechnical surveys and other investigations for the purpose of assessing ground conditions only may start, until a written strategy in relation to the identification and remediation of any risks associated with contamination for that phase has been submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority or, where the phase falls within the administrative areas of both the District of West Suffolk and the District of East Cambridgeshire, both relevant planning authorities. The written strategy must include geo-environmental investigations which must be designed with due consideration of the requirements of BS 10175:2011: +A2 2017: Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites – Codes of Practice (BSI).

(2) If, during the carrying out of the authorised development, contamination not previously identified is found to be present no further development (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the relevant planning authority) may be carried out on the areas on which the contamination has been found until a remediation strategy detailing how such contamination must be dealt with has been submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority.

(3) The strategy submitted pursuant to sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) must—

(a) include a site investigation scheme, based on the preliminary risk assessment set out in chapter 16 of the environmental statement and providing details of the detailed risk assessment to be carried out for the receptors on or in the vicinity of the Order limits that may be affected by the authorised development;

(b) set out how the outcomes of the site investigation scheme and detailed risk assessment carried out pursuant to paragraph (a) will be reported, and provide for the submission and approval by the relevant planning authority or both relevant planning authorities of an options appraisal and remediation strategy based on such outcomes and providing details of any remediation measures required and how they are to be carried out; and

(c) include a verification plan identifying the data to be collected in order to demonstrate that the remediation measures set out in the options appraisal and remediation strategy prepared pursuant to paragraph (b) have been completed and are effective, and any requirement for long term monitoring of pollutant linkages, maintenance or arrangements for contingency action.

(4) The authorised development must be carried out in accordance with the strategies approved pursuant to sub-paragraph (1) and any remediation strategy approved pursuant to sub-paragraph (2).