Paragraph 20 Post constructionI1
England, Wales and Scotland
The licence-holder must, when submitting details of proposed post-construction surveys under condition 13(2)(a), include methodologies and timings, and a proposed format, content and timings for providing reports on the results. The survey proposals shall specify each survey’s objectives and explain how it will assist in either informing a useful and valid comparison with the pre-construction position and/or will enable the validation or otherwise of key predictions in the Environmental Statement.
Subject to receipt of specific proposals, it is expected that the post-construction surveys will comprise, in outline—
an ornithological survey covering the part(s) of Wind Farm Area 2 within which construction works were carried out under this licence, and any wider area(s) where appropriate, which is required to test predictions in the Environmental Statement concerning key ornithological interests of relevance to the authorised scheme;
a high resolution swath bathymetric survey of the following to assess any changes in bedform morphology—
a representative sample area, to be agreed in writing with the MMO, of the part(s) of Wind Farm Area 2 within which construction works and disposal activities were carried out under this licence, and such further monitoring as may be required to ensure that the cables have been buried or protected; and
an area not to exceed 125 per cent of the predicted scour area around a selection of turbines, such selection to be based on the desk based assessment;
a survey to determine any change in the location, extent and composition of any benthic habitats of conservation, ecological and/or economic importance identified in the pre-construction survey in the part(s) of Wind Farm Area 2 in which construction works were carried out. The survey design will be informed by the results of the pre-construction benthic survey;
vessel traffic monitoring by Automatic Identification System, for 28 days taking account seasonal variations in traffic patterns, for a maximum duration of one year post construction. A report will be submitted to the MMO and the MCA at the end of the first year after construction is completed; and
any marine mammal monitoring required by the marine mammal monitoring plan submitted in accordance with condition 13(2)(h).
Prior to carrying out the survey required under paragraph (2)(b), the licence-holder must submit to the MMO for written approval a desk based assessment (which takes account of all factors which influence scour) identifying the turbines with greatest potential for scour. The survey will be used to validate the desk based assessment and the significance of any differences between the predicted scour and recorded scour will be assessed in the survey report which will be submitted to the MMO. The need for further surveys will be agreed in writing with the MMO following submission of the first year of survey data.
Annotations
Commencement
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Sch. 9 para. 20 in force at 31.12.2014, see art. 1