The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015

Post-construction surveys

16.—(1) The undertaker must, in discharging Condition 9(b), submit details for written approval by the MMO of the post-construction surveys proposed in sub-paragraph (2), including methodologies and timings, and a proposed format, content and timings for providing reports on the results at least 4 months before commencement of any survey works detailed within. The survey proposals must be in accordance with the principles set out in the In Principle 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 or will enable the validation or otherwise of key predictions in the environmental statement.

(2) Subject to receipt of specific proposals, it is expected that the post-construction surveys will comprise—

(a) appropriate surveys of ornithological activity inside the areas within the Order limits in which construction works were carried out, and any wider areas where appropriate, which are required to validate predictions in the environmental statement concerning key ornithological interests of relevance to the authorised scheme;

(b) appropriate high-resolution bathymetric surveys undertaken to International Hydrographic Organisation Order 1A standard and side-scan sonar surveys around a sample of infrastructure locations that are considered appropriate to assess any changes in seabed topography. For this purpose, the undertaker must before the first such survey submit a desk-based assessment (which takes account of all factors which influence scour) to identify the sample of infrastructure locations that are considered appropriate with greatest potential for scour. The survey will be used to validate the desk-based assessment. Further surveys may be required if there are significant differences between the modelled scour and recorded scour;

(c) appropriate surveys of sand eel within the Order limits in which construction works were carried out, and any wider areas where appropriate;

(d) dependent on the outcome of the surveys undertaken under Condition 14(2)(a), appropriate surveys to determine the effects of construction activity on any benthic habitats of conservation, ecological or economic importance (including Annex 1 habitats) in whole or in part inside the areas within the Order limits to validate predictions made in the environmental statement;

(e) vessel traffic monitoring by Automatic Identification System totalling a maximum of 28 days taking account of seasonal variations in traffic patterns over 1 year, following the commencement of commercial operation. A report must be submitted to the MMO and the MCA following the end of the monitoring; and

(f) appropriate surveys to determine change in size and form of the drill disposal mounds over the lifetime of the authorised scheme.

(3) The undertaker must carry out the surveys under sub-paragraph (1) and provide the reports in the agreed format in accordance with the timetable as agreed in writing with the MMO following consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.