Paragraph 25 Post-construction monitoringI1

The undertaker must, in discharging condition 17(1)(c) submit details (which accord with the offshore in-principle monitoring plan) for approval in writing by the licensing authority in consultation with the statutory nature conservation body of proposed post-construction monitoring, including methodologies and timings, and a proposed format, content and timings for providing reports on the results.

The monitoring proposals must specify each monitoring proposal’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.

The post-construction monitoring referred to in paragraph (1) must, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the licensing authority, have due regard to, but not be limited to, the need to undertake, within 12 months of completion of the construction of the authorised project, a full sea floor coverage swath-bathymetry survey that meets the requirements of MGN 654 and its annexes, and side scan sonar, of the area(s) within the Order limits in which construction works were carried out to assess any changes in bedform topography and such further monitoring or assessment as may be agreed to ensure that cables (including fibre optic cables) have been buried or protected.

The undertaker must in discharging condition 17(1)(k) submit a vessel traffic monitoring strategy in accordance with the offshore in-principle monitoring plan including the provision of reports on the results of that monitoring to the licencing authority, MCA and Trinity House and undertake post-construction monitoring in accordance with the vessel traffic monitoring strategy.

The undertaker must carry out the monitoring agreed under paragraph (1) and provide the agreed reports to the licensing authority in the agreed format in accordance with the agreed timetable unless otherwise agreed in writing with the licensing authority in consultation with the statutory nature conservation body.

Following the installation of cables, details of cable monitoring required under 17(1)(d) must be updated with the results of the post installation surveys. The construction method statement must be implemented until the authorised scheme is implemented and reviewed as specified within the construction method statement, following cable burial surveys, or as instructed by the licensing authority.