Paragraph 27 Pre-construction monitoring and surveysI1

The undertaker must in discharging condition 22(1)(e) for construction submit a monitoring plan in accordance with an offshore in principle monitoring plan for written approval by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory bodies, which must contain details of proposed surveys, including methodologies and timings, and a proposed format and content for a pre-construction baseline report and—

Subject to receipt from the undertaker of specific proposals pursuant to this condition, the pre-construction survey proposals must comprise, in outline—

The pre-construction survey(s) carried out pursuant to sub-paragraphs (2)(a)(ii) and (2)(b) must fulfil the requirements of MGN654 and its supporting ‘Hydrographic Guidelines for Offshore Renewable Energy Developer’ (as relevant).

The undertaker must carry out the surveys specified within the monitoring plan or plans in accordance with that plan or plans, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

Following completion of a survey carried out pursuant to this condition and prior to construction of the relevant stage, the undertaker must provide a report and full density data of the survey outcomes to the MMO, the relevant statutory nature conservation body, the MCA, the PLA and UK Hydrographic Office as relevant.

In the event that the reports provided to the MMO under sub-paragraph (5) identify impacts which are unanticipated and/or in the view of the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body are significantly beyond those predicted within the Environmental Statement, the Habitats Regulations Assessment, and the Marine Conservation Zone Assessment, an adaptive management plan to reduce effects to within what was predicted within the Environmental Statement, the Habitats Regulations Assessment, and the Marine Conservation Zone Assessment, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body, must be submitted by the undertaker. The adaptive management plan, intended to reduce effects to an agreed suitable level, must be approved in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body. Any such approved alternative and/or adaptive management must be implemented and monitored in full. In the event that this alternative and/or adaptive management requires a separate consent, the undertaker must apply for such consent. Where a separate consent is required to undertake the approve alternative and/or adaptive management, the undertaker shall only be required to undertake the alternative and/or adaptive management once the consent is granted.

Any monitoring report compiled in accordance with the monitoring schemes required under sub-paragraph (1) must be made publicly available and submitted (where relevant) to The Crown Estate Marine Data Exchange, the relevant Local Environmental Records Centre, and any relevant environmental recording schemes no later than six months following completion of the monitoring, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.