Paragraph 27 European protected speciesI1

No stage of the connection works shall be commenced until final pre-construction survey work has been carried out to establish whether a European protected species is present on any of the land affected, or likely to be affected, by that stage of the connection works or in any of the trees to be lopped or felled as part of that stage of the connection works.

Where a European protected species is shown to be present, the relevant part(s) of the connection works must not begin until, after consultation with Natural England and the relevant planning authority, a scheme of protection and mitigation measures has been submitted to and approved in writing by the relevant planning authority. The connection works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme.

“European protected species” has the same meaning as in regulations 40 and 44 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2010^f1.