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The Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025

S.I. 2025/1376 · Made 17 December 2025 · Extends to England and Wales

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 6 October 2026.

Infrastructure Planning

Made 17th December 2025

Coming into force 8th January 2026

An application has been made to the Secretary of State under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008f1 (the “2008 Act”) for an Order granting development consent.

The application was examined by a panel of 5 members (appointed by the Secretary of State) in accordance with Part 6 of the 2008 Act and carried out in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010f2.

The panel, having considered the representations made and not withdrawn and the application together with the accompanying documents, in accordance with section 74(2) of the 2008 Act, has submitted a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State has considered the representations made and not withdrawn and the report and recommendation of the panel, has taken into account the environmental information in accordance with regulation 4 of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017f3, and, as a national policy statement has effect in relation to the proposed development, has had regard to the documents and matters referred to in section 104(2) of the 2008 Act.

The Secretary of State is satisfied that the open space forming special category land specified in the land plans and special category land plan (as defined in article 2 of this Order), when burdened with any new rights authorised to be compulsorily acquired under this Order, will be no less advantageous than it was before to the persons in whom it is vested, other persons, if any, entitled to rights of common or other rights, and the public, and that, accordingly, section 132(3) of the 2008 Act applies.

The Secretary of State, having decided the application, has determined to make an Order granting development consent for the development described in the application with modifications which in the opinion of the Secretary of State do not make any substantial changes to the proposals comprised in the application.

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 114f4, 115f5, 120f6, 122, 123, 132f7, 140 and 149Af8 of, and schedule 5 to, the 2008 Act, makes the following Order.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

2008 c. 29. Section 37 was amended by sections 128(2) and 137(5) and Schedule 13, Part 1, paragraphs 1 to 5 of the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).

f2

S.I. 2010/103. This instrument was amended by S.I. 2012/635.

f3

S.I. 2017/572.

f4

Section 114 was amended by paragraph 55 of Part 1 of Schedule 13 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).

f5

Section 115 was amended by paragraph 56 of Part 1 of Schedule 13 and Part 20 of Schedule 25 to the Localism Act 2011, section 160 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22) and section 43 of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).

f6

Section 120 was amended by section 140 of, and paragraph 60 of Part 1 of Schedule 13 to, the Localism Act 2011.

f7

Section 132 was amended by section 24 of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27).

f8

Section 149A was inserted by paragraph 4(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23).

Contents

  1. Part 1: Preliminary
  2. 1Citation and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. Part 2: Principal Powers
  5. 3Development consent etc. granted by the Order
  6. 4Operation of generating station
  7. 5Deemed marine licences under the 2009 Act
  8. 6Power to maintain the authorised development
  9. 7Benefit of the Order
  10. 8Application and modification of legislative provisions
  11. 9Defence to proceedings in respect of statutory nuisance
  12. Part 3: Streets
  13. 10Street works
  14. 11Application of the 1991 Act
  15. 12Construction and maintenance of new or altered highway
  16. 13Temporary closure of public rights of way
  17. 14Temporary restriction of use of streets
  18. 15Access to works
  19. 16Traffic regulation
  20. 17Power to alter layout etc. of streets
  21. Part 4: Supplemental powers
  22. 18Discharge of water
  23. 19Authority to survey and investigate the land
  24. 20Protective work to buildings
  25. Part 5: Powers of acquisition
  26. 21Compulsory acquisition of land
  27. 22Time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily
  28. 23Compulsory acquisition of rights
  29. 24Compulsory acquisition of land: minerals
  30. 25Private rights
  31. 26Application of the 1981 Act
  32. 27Acquisition of subsoil only
  33. 28Modification of Part 1 of the 1965 Act
  34. 29Rights under or over streets
  35. 30Temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development
  36. 31Temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development
  37. 32Statutory undertakers
  38. 33Recovery of costs of new connections
  39. 34Funding
  40. Part 6: Miscellaneous and general
  41. 35Application of landlord and tenant law
  42. 36Felling or lopping of trees and removal of hedgerows
  43. 37Trees subject to tree preservation orders
  44. 38Abatement of works abandoned or decayed
  45. 39Saving provisions for Trinity House
  46. 40Crown rights
  47. 41Protective provisions
  48. 42Application of the 1990 Act
  49. 43Certification of plans, etc.
  50. 44Service of notices
  51. 45No double recovery
  52. 46Requirements
  53. 47Arbitration
  54. 48Compensation
  55. Signature
  56. Schedule 1: Authorised development
  57. 1Authorised development
  58. 2Ancillary works
  59. Schedule 2: Requirements
  60. Part 1: Requirements
  61. 1Time limits
  62. 2Offshore design parameters
  63. 3Aviation safety
  64. 4Stages of authorised development onshore
  65. 5Onshore substation works, design and landscaping
  66. 6Code of construction practice
  67. 7Traffic and access plans
  68. 8Permanent highway accesses
  69. 9Onshore archaeology
  70. 10Landscape and Ecological Management Plan
  71. 11Soil Management Plan
  72. 12Protected species onshore
  73. 13Ground water monitoring
  74. 14Restoration of land used temporarily for construction
  75. 15Control of noise during operational stage
  76. 16Skills and employment strategy
  77. 17Onshore build options
  78. 18Compensatory Works
  79. 19Reuse of temporary works with the onshore works for North Falls
  80. 20Biodiversity net gain
  81. 21Offshore decommissioning
  82. 22Onshore decommissioning
  83. 23Migratory bat monitoring
  84. 24Landfall drilling risk assessment
  85. 25Farmland bird compensation
  86. 26Requirement for written approval
  87. 27Amendments to approved details
  88. Part 2: Approval of matters specified in requirements
  89. 1Interpretation
  90. 2Applications made under requirements
  91. 3Further information
  92. 4Provision of information by Consultees
  93. 5Fees
  94. 6Appeal
  95. Schedule 3Streets subject to street works
  96. Schedule 4: Traffic Regulation
  97. 1Streets to be temporarily restricted
  98. 2Rights of way to be temporarily closed or restricted
  99. 3Traffic regulation orders not applicable to the undertaker
  100. 4Speed limits
  101. Schedule 5Access to works
  102. Schedule 6Land of which temporary possession may be taken
  103. Schedule 7Land in which only new rights etc. may be acquired
  104. Schedule 8: Modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for creation of new rights and imposition of restrictive covenants
  105. 1Compensation enactments
  106. 2Paragraph 2
  107. 3Paragraph 3
  108. 4Application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act
  109. 5Paragraph 5
  110. 6Paragraph 6
  111. 7Paragraph 7
  112. 8Paragraph 8
  113. 9Paragraph 9
  114. 10Paragraph 10
  115. 11Paragraph 11
  116. Schedule 9: Protective provisions
  117. Part 1: Protection for electricity, gas, water and sewerage undertakers
  118. 1Paragraph 1
  119. 2Paragraph 2
  120. 3On street apparatus and offshore works
  121. 4Acquisition of land
  122. 5Removal of apparatus
  123. 6Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  124. 7Retained apparatus
  125. 8Expenses and costs
  126. 9Paragraph 9
  127. 10Miscellaneous
  128. Part 2: For the protection for operators of electronic communications code networks
  129. 11Paragraph 11
  130. 12Paragraph 12
  131. 13Paragraph 13
  132. 14Paragraph 14
  133. Part 3: For the protection of the Environment Agency
  134. 15Paragraph 15
  135. 16Submission and approval of plans
  136. 17Construction of protective works
  137. 18Timing of works and service of notices
  138. 19Works not in accordance with this Part of this Schedule
  139. 20Maintenance of works
  140. 21Remediating impaired drainage work
  141. 22Agency access
  142. 23Free passage of fish
  143. 24Monitoring of Sea Defence
  144. 25As built drawings
  145. 26Heavy vehicle movements during construction
  146. 27Indemnity
  147. 28Disputes
  148. Part 4: For the protection of drainage authorities
  149. 29Paragraph 29
  150. 30Paragraph 30
  151. 31Paragraph 31
  152. 32Paragraph 32
  153. 33Paragraph 33
  154. 34Paragraph 34
  155. 35Paragraph 35
  156. 36Paragraph 36
  157. 37Paragraph 37
  158. 38Paragraph 38
  159. 39Paragraph 39
  160. 40Paragraph 40
  161. 41Paragraph 41
  162. 42Paragraph 42
  163. 43Paragraph 43
  164. Part 5: For the protection of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
  165. 44Paragraph 44
  166. 45Paragraph 45
  167. 46Paragraph 46
  168. 47Paragraph 47
  169. 48Paragraph 48
  170. 49Paragraph 49
  171. 50Paragraph 50
  172. 51Paragraph 51
  173. 52Paragraph 52
  174. 53Paragraph 53
  175. 54Paragraph 54
  176. 55Paragraph 55
  177. 56Paragraph 56
  178. 57Paragraph 57
  179. 58Paragraph 58
  180. 59Paragraph 59
  181. 60Paragraph 60
  182. 61Paragraph 61
  183. 62Paragraph 62
  184. 63Paragraph 63
  185. 64Paragraph 64
  186. Part 6: For the protection of National Highways
  187. 65Application etc.
  188. 66Interpretation
  189. 67General
  190. 68Paragraph 68
  191. 69Works outside the Order limits
  192. 70Prior approvals
  193. 71Construction of the cable works and SRN works
  194. 72Payments
  195. 73Provisional Certificate for SRN works
  196. 74Provisional Certificate for cable works
  197. 75Opening
  198. 76Final condition survey
  199. 77Defects Period
  200. 78Final Certificate
  201. 79Security
  202. 80Commuted sums
  203. 81Insurance
  204. 82Indemnity
  205. 83Maintenance of the authorised development
  206. 84Land
  207. 85Expert Determination
  208. Part 7: For the protection of London Gateway Port
  209. 86Paragraph 86
  210. 87Application
  211. 88Approvals
  212. 89Paragraph 89
  213. 90Approvals and refusals
  214. 91Paragraph 91
  215. 92Paragraph 92
  216. 93Paragraph 93
  217. 94Paragraph 94
  218. 95Paragraph 95
  219. Part 8: For the protection of North Falls Offshore Wind Farm
  220. 96Paragraph 96
  221. 97Paragraph 97
  222. 98Application
  223. 99Paragraph 99
  224. 100Acquisition of land and protection of apparatus
  225. 101Paragraph 101
  226. 102Paragraph 102
  227. 103Access
  228. 104Build option 1 scenario
  229. 105Design collaboration
  230. 106Arbitration
  231. Part 9: For the protection of Port of London Authority (onshore)
  232. 107Application
  233. 108Interpretation
  234. 109Access
  235. 110Extinguishment of rights
  236. 111Installation of structures
  237. 112Services
  238. Part 10: For the protection of the Port of London Authority (offshore)
  239. 113Paragraph 113
  240. 114Application
  241. 115Consultation and notice
  242. 116Cable Specification and Installation Plan
  243. 117Monitoring
  244. 118Paragraph 118
  245. 119Remediation
  246. 120Paragraph 120
  247. 121Paragraph 121
  248. 122Provision of as built details
  249. 123Transfer of the benefit
  250. 124Disputes
  251. Part 11: For the protection of Essex County Council as local highway authority
  252. 125Application
  253. 126Definitions
  254. 127Design input and commencement
  255. 128Paragraph 128
  256. 129Survey reinstatement
  257. 130Inspections and testing of materials
  258. 131Road Safety Audits
  259. 132Defects in local highways constructed by the undertaker
  260. 133Provisional Certificate
  261. 134Maintenance
  262. 135Final Certificate
  263. 136Emergency Work
  264. 137Land interests
  265. 138Disputes
  266. Part 12: For the protection of Anglian Water
  267. 139Application
  268. 140Interpretation
  269. 141Access
  270. 142On street apparatus
  271. 143Apparatus in stopped up streets
  272. 144Protective works to buildings
  273. 145Acquisition of land
  274. 146Removal of apparatus
  275. 147Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  276. 148Retained apparatus
  277. 149Expenses and costs
  278. 150Paragraph 150
  279. 151Cooperation
  280. 152Paragraph 152
  281. 153Paragraph 153
  282. 154Paragraph 154
  283. 155Paragraph 155
  284. Part 13: For the protection of Affinity Water
  285. 156Application
  286. 157Interpretation
  287. 158On street apparatus
  288. 159Apparatus in stopped up streets
  289. 160Protective works to buildings
  290. 161Acquisition of land
  291. 162Removal of apparatus
  292. 163Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  293. 164Specified works
  294. 165Expenses and costs
  295. 166Indemnity
  296. 167Cooperation
  297. 168Expert Determination
  298. 169Access
  299. Part 14: For the protection of National Grid Electricity Transmission
  300. 170Application
  301. 171Interpretation
  302. 172Compulsory acquisition of land and rights
  303. 173Paragraph 173
  304. 174Paragraph 174
  305. 175Paragraph 175
  306. 176Paragraph 176
  307. 177Protection of National Grid apparatus
  308. 178Paragraph 178
  309. 179Works in the EACN Substation Area
  310. 180Paragraph 180
  311. 181Indemnity
  312. 182Paragraph 182
  313. Part 15: For the protection of Cadent Gas Limited
  314. 183Application
  315. 184Interpretation
  316. 185On Street apparatus
  317. 186Access to Apparatus
  318. 187Protective works to buildings
  319. 188Acquisition of land
  320. 189Removal of apparatus
  321. 190Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  322. 191Retained apparatus: protection of Cadent
  323. 192Expenses
  324. 193Enactments and agreements
  325. 194Co-operation
  326. 195Access
  327. 196Arbitration
  328. Schedule 10: Deemed marine licence – Generation Assets
  329. Part 1: General
  330. 1Licensed marine activities
  331. 2Details of licensed marine activities
  332. 3Paragraph 3
  333. 4Paragraph 4
  334. 5Paragraph 5
  335. 6General provisions
  336. 7Paragraph 7
  337. 8Paragraph 8
  338. 9Paragraph 9
  339. Part 2: Conditions
  340. 10Design parameters
  341. 11Paragraph 11
  342. 12Maintenance of the authorised development
  343. 13Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  344. 14Extension of time periods
  345. 15Notifications and inspections
  346. 16Aids to navigation
  347. 17Colouring of structures
  348. 18Aviation safety
  349. 19Chemicals, drilling and debris
  350. 20Force majeure
  351. 21Pre-construction plans and documentation
  352. 22Paragraph 22
  353. 23Site Integrity Plan
  354. 24Offshore safety management
  355. 25Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  356. 26Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  357. 27Construction monitoring
  358. 28Monitoring of underwater noise from piling
  359. 29Post-construction monitoring
  360. 30Timing of monitoring report
  361. 31Reporting of impact pile driving
  362. 32Maintenance reporting
  363. 33Stages of construction
  364. 34Completion of construction
  365. 35Paragraph 35
  366. 36Reporting of scour and cable protection;
  367. 37Deployment of cable protection
  368. Schedule 11: Deemed marine licence – Transmission Assets
  369. Part 1: General
  370. 1Licensed Marine Activities
  371. 2Details of licensed marine activities
  372. 3Paragraph 3
  373. 4Paragraph 4
  374. 5Paragraph 5
  375. 6General provisions
  376. 7Paragraph 7
  377. 8Paragraph 8
  378. 9Paragraph 9
  379. Part 2: Conditions
  380. 10Design parameters
  381. 11Paragraph 11
  382. 12Paragraph 12
  383. 13Maintenance of the authorised development
  384. 14Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  385. 15Extension of time periods
  386. 16Notifications and inspections
  387. 17Aids to navigation
  388. 18Colouring of structures
  389. 19Aviation safety
  390. 20Chemicals, drilling and debris
  391. 21Force majeure
  392. 22Pre-construction plans and documentation
  393. 23Paragraph 23
  394. 24Site Integrity Plan
  395. 25Offshore safety management
  396. 26Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  397. 27Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  398. 28Construction monitoring
  399. 29Monitoring of underwater noise from piling
  400. 30Post-construction monitoring
  401. 31Timing of monitoring report
  402. 32Reporting of impact pile driving
  403. 33Maintenance reporting
  404. 34Stages of construction
  405. 35Completion of construction
  406. 36Paragraph 36
  407. 37Reporting cable protection
  408. 38Deployment of cable protection
  409. Schedule 12
  410. 1Tree Preservation Orders
  411. 2Removal of hedgerows
  412. 3Removal of important hedgerows
  413. Schedule 13: Compensation
  414. Part 1: Lesser Black Backed Gull
  415. 1Paragraph 1
  416. 2Paragraph 2
  417. 3Paragraph 3
  418. 4Paragraph 4
  419. 5Paragraph 5
  420. 6Paragraph 6
  421. 7Paragraph 7
  422. 8Paragraph 8
  423. 9Paragraph 9
  424. 10Paragraph 10
  425. 11Paragraph 11
  426. 12Paragraph 12
  427. 13Paragraph 13
  428. Part 2: Kittiwake
  429. 1Paragraph 1
  430. 2Paragraph 2
  431. 3Marine Recovery Fund
  432. 4KIMP
  433. 5Paragraph 5
  434. 6Paragraph 6
  435. 7Paragraph 7
  436. 8Paragraph 8
  437. 9Paragraph 9
  438. 10Paragraph 10
  439. 11Paragraph 11
  440. 12Paragraph 12
  441. 13Paragraph 13
  442. 14Paragraph 14
  443. Part 3: Guillemot
  444. 1Paragraph 1
  445. 2Paragraph 2
  446. 3Marine Recovery Fund
  447. 4GCIMP(s)
  448. 5GCIMP(s)
  449. 6GCIMP(s)
  450. 7GCIMP(s)
  451. 8GCIMP(s)
  452. 9GCIMP(s)
  453. 10GCIMP(s)
  454. 11GCIMP(s)
  455. 12GCIMP(s)
  456. 13GCIMP(s)
  457. 14GCIMP(s)
  458. Part 4: Benthic
  459. 1Paragraph 1
  460. 2Paragraph 2
  461. 3Paragraph 3
  462. Schedule 14: Arbitration rules
  463. 1Primary objective
  464. 2Time periods
  465. 3Timetable
  466. 4Procedure
  467. 5Arbitrator’s powers
  468. 6Costs
  469. 7Confidentiality
  470. Schedule 15Documents to be certified
  471. Schedule 16Offshore co-ordinates
  472. Explanatory note