The Sizewell C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2022

Compulsory acquisition of easements or other rights

7.—(1) The undertaker may seek a compulsory purchase order on behalf of a water or sewerage undertaker where—

(a) the water or sewerage undertaker has agreed in writing with the undertaker that for the purpose of the authorised development it is necessary or expedient to remove water or sewerage apparatus owned by the water or sewerage undertaker within the Order limits and to install and keep installed alternative apparatus in substitution for it on, under or over specified land;

(b) the water or sewerage undertaker has agreed in writing that the undertaker may seek an easement or other rights over land on behalf of the water or sewerage undertaker in respect of the specified land.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), where a compulsory purchase order is sought by the undertaker pursuant to sub-paragraph (1), the Secretary of State may authorise the relevant water or sewerage undertaker to purchase compulsorily the specified land or an easement or right over the specified land where the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is required by the water or sewerage undertaker for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of its functions.

(3) Section 155(3) to (6) of the Water Industry Act 1991 shall apply in respect of powers of compulsory purchase sought pursuant to this paragraph.

(4) Unless otherwise agreed between the undertaker and the water or sewerage undertaker in writing, where the undertaker seeks a compulsory purchase order on behalf of a water or sewerage undertaker pursuant to this paragraph, all negotiations of compensation shall be undertaken by the undertaker and any consideration or compensation agreed or determined in respect of any easements or rights acquired shall be payable by the undertaker.

(5) In this paragraph:

“alternative apparatus” means alternative water or sewerage apparatus adequate to enable the water or sewerage undertaker in question to fulfil its statutory functions in a manner not less efficient than previously;

“specified land” means the land within or outside the Order limits on, under or over which a water or sewerage undertaker agrees, pursuant to sub-paragraph (1), that alternative apparatus should be relocated in substitution for existing relevant water or sewerage apparatus.

“water or sewerage undertaker” means ’water undertaker’ or ’sewerage undertaker’ as defined in the Water Industry Act 1991; and

“water or sewerage apparatus” means (i) mains, pipes or other water apparatus belonging to or maintained by a water undertaker for the purposes of water supply; and (ii) any drain or works vested in a sewerage undertaker, and any sewer which is so vested or is the subject of a notice of intention to adopt given under section 102(4) of the Water Industry Act 1991 or an agreement to adopt made under section 104 of that Act, and includes a sludge main, disposal main (within the meaning of section 219 of that Act) or sewer outfall and any manholes, ventilating shafts, pimps, or other accessories forming part of any such sewer, drain or works, and in each case includes any structure in which apparatus is or is to be lodged or which gives or will give access to apparatus.