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The North Falls Offshore Wind Farm Order 2026

S.I. 2026/567 · Made 14 May 2026

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Infrastructure Planning

Made 14th May 2026

Coming into force 5th June 2026

An application has been made to the Secretary of State under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act)f1, and in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedures) Regulations 2009f2 for an order granting development consent.

The application was examined by the Examining Authority, appointed by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 61f3 and section 65f4 of Part 6 of the 2008 Act and carried out in accordance with Chapter 4 of that Act and with the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010f5. The Examining Authority has submitted a report to the Secretary of State under section 74(2)f6 of the 2008 Act.

The Secretary of State has considered the representations made and not withdrawn, the report and recommendation of the Examining Authority, has taken into account the environmental information in accordance with regulation 4 of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017f7 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)f8 of the 2008 Act.

The Secretary of State is satisfied that open space within the Order land 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 for compulsory acquisition under the terms of this Order, will be no less advantageous than it was before such acquisition, 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(2)f9 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 114, 115, 120, 122, 123, 132, 140 and 149A of the 2008 Act, makes the following Order.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

2008 c. 29. Section 37 was amended by Chapter 6 of Part 6 of, and Schedule 13 to, the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).

f2

S.I. 2009/2264.

f3

Section 61 was amended by section 128(2) and Schedule 13, paragraph 18 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) and by section 26 of the Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7).

f4

Section 65 was amended by Schedule 13, paragraph 22(2) and Schedule 25, paragraph 1 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) and by section 27(1) of the Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7).

f5

S.I. 2010/103, amended by S.I. 2012/635.

f6

Section 74 was amended by sections 128(2) and 237 and by Schedule 13, paragraph 29 and Schedule 25, paragraph 1 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).

f7

S.I. 2017/572.

f8

Section 104 was amended by section 58(5) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23) and by section 128(2) of, and Schedule 13, paragraphs 1 and 49(1) to (6), to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).

f9

Section 132 was amended by section 24(3) of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27).

Contents

  1. Part 1: PRELIMINARY
  2. 1Citation and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. Part 2: PRINCIPAL POWERS
  5. 3Development consent etc. granted by this Order
  6. 4Power to maintain the authorised development
  7. 5Benefit of the Order
  8. 6Application and modification of legislative provisions
  9. 7Defence to proceedings in respect of statutory nuisance
  10. Part 3: STREETS
  11. 8Street works
  12. 9Application of the 1991 Act
  13. 10Construction and maintenance of new or altered highway
  14. 11Temporary closure of public rights of way
  15. 12Temporary restriction of use of streets
  16. 13Access to works
  17. 14Traffic regulation
  18. 15Agreements with street authorities
  19. 16Power to alter layout etc. of streets
  20. Part 4: SUPPLEMENTAL POWERS
  21. 17Discharge of water
  22. 18Protective works to buildings
  23. 19Authority to survey and investigate the land onshore
  24. Part 5: POWERS OF ACQUISITION
  25. 20Compulsory acquisition of land
  26. 21Compulsory acquisition of land: minerals
  27. 22Time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily
  28. 23Compulsory acquisition of rights etc.
  29. 24Private rights
  30. 25Application of the 1981 Act
  31. 26Statutory authority to override easements and other rights
  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. Part 6: OPERATIONS
  40. 34Operation of a generating station
  41. 35Deemed marine licences under the 2009 Act
  42. Part 7: MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL
  43. 36Application of landlord and tenant law
  44. 37Operational land for the purposes of the 1990 Act
  45. 38Felling or lopping of trees and removal of hedgerows
  46. 39Trees subject to tree preservation orders
  47. 40Certification of plans and documents, etc.
  48. 41Arbitration
  49. 42Requirements, appeals, etc.
  50. 43Abatement of works abandoned or decayed
  51. 44Saving provisions for Trinity House
  52. 45Crown rights
  53. 46Protective provisions
  54. 47Funding
  55. 48No double recovery
  56. 49Service of notices
  57. 50Compensation provisions
  58. Signature
  59. Schedule 1: AUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT
  60. 1AUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT
  61. 2ANCILLARY WORKS
  62. Part 3: REQUIREMENTS
  63. 1Time limits
  64. 2Offshore design parameters
  65. 3Aviation safety
  66. 4Stages of authorised development onshore
  67. 5Substation works
  68. 6Detailed design parameters onshore
  69. 7Provision of landscaping
  70. 8Code of construction practice
  71. 9Construction traffic management plan
  72. 10Permanent highway accesses
  73. 11Onshore archaeology
  74. 12Ecological management plan
  75. 13Soil management plan
  76. 14European protected species: onshore
  77. 15Groundwater monitoring
  78. 16Restoration of land used temporarily for construction
  79. 17Control of noise during operational stage
  80. 18Skills and Employment Plan
  81. 19Onshore build options
  82. 20Reuse of temporary works with the onshore works for Five Estuaries
  83. 21Biodiversity net gain
  84. 22The biodiversity net gain assessment report must be implemented as approved. Operational Drainage Strategy
  85. 23Horizontal directional drilling method statement
  86. 24Public rights of way
  87. 25Offshore decommissioning
  88. 26Onshore decommissioning
  89. 27Requirement for written approval
  90. 28Amendments to approved details
  91. 29Obstacle free zone for navigational safety
  92. 30Galloper recommended route
  93. 3131. Farmland Bird Compensation
  94. Part 4: PROCEDURE FOR DISCHARGE OF REQUIREMENTS
  95. 32Interpretation
  96. 33Applications made under requirements
  97. 34Further information
  98. 35Provision of information by Consultees
  99. 36Fees
  100. 37Appeal
  101. Schedule 2STREETS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY SUBJECT TO STREET WORKS
  102. Schedule 3: TRAFFIC REGULATION
  103. 1STREETS TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED OR RESTRICTED
  104. 2PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED OR RESTRICTED
  105. 3SPEED LIMITS
  106. Schedule 4ACCESS TO WORKS
  107. Schedule 5LAND IN WHICH ONLY NEW RIGHTS ETC., MAY BE ACQUIRED
  108. Schedule 6: MODIFICATION OF COMPENSATION AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ENACTMENTS FOR CREATION OF NEW RIGHTS
  109. 1Compensation enactments
  110. 2Compensation enactments
  111. 3Compensation enactments
  112. 4Application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act
  113. 5Application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act
  114. Schedule 7LAND OF WHICH TEMPORARY POSSESSION MAY BE TAKEN
  115. Schedule 8: DEEMED MARINE LICENCE UNDER THE 2009 ACT – GENERATION ASSETS
  116. Part 1: LICENSED MARINE ACTIVITIES
  117. 1Paragraph 1
  118. 2Details of licensed marine activities
  119. 3Details of licensed marine activities
  120. 4Details of licensed marine activities
  121. 5Details of licensed marine activities
  122. 6General provisions
  123. 7General provisions
  124. 8General provisions
  125. 9General provisions
  126. Part 2: CONDITIONS
  127. 10Design parameters
  128. 11Design parameters
  129. 12Maintenance of the authorised development
  130. 13Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  131. 14Extension of time periods
  132. 15Notifications and inspections
  133. 16Aids to navigation
  134. 17Colouring of structures
  135. 18Aviation safety
  136. 19Chemicals, drilling and debris
  137. 20Force majeure
  138. 21Pre-construction plans and documentation
  139. 22Pre-construction plans and documentation
  140. 23Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation site integrity plan
  141. 24Offshore safety management
  142. 25Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  143. 26Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  144. 27Construction monitoring
  145. 28Post-construction monitoring
  146. 29Timing of monitoring report
  147. 30Reporting of impact pile driving
  148. 31Maintenance reporting
  149. 32Stages of construction
  150. 33Completion of construction
  151. 34Completion of construction
  152. 35Cable and Scour Reporting
  153. 36Deployment of cable protection
  154. 37Placement of infrastructure in proximity to Kentish Knock East Marine Conservation Zone
  155. Schedule 9: DEEMED MARINE LICENCE UNDER THE 2009 ACT – TRANSMISSION ASSETS
  156. Part 1: LICENSED MARINE ACTIVITIES
  157. 1Paragraph 1
  158. 2Details of licensed marine activities
  159. 3Details of licensed marine activities
  160. 4Details of licensed marine activities
  161. 5Details of licensed marine activities
  162. 6General provisions
  163. 7General provisions
  164. 8General provisions
  165. 9General provisions
  166. Part 2: CONDITIONS
  167. 10Design parameters
  168. 11Design parameters
  169. 12Design parameters
  170. 13Maintenance of the authorised development
  171. 14Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  172. 15Extension of time periods
  173. 16Notifications and inspections
  174. 17Aids to navigation
  175. 18Colouring of structures
  176. 19Aviation safety
  177. 20Chemicals, drilling and debris
  178. 21Force majeure
  179. 22Pre-construction plans and documentation
  180. 23Pre-construction plans and documentation
  181. 24Southern North Sea Special Conservation Area Site Integrity Plan
  182. 25Offshore safety management
  183. 26Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  184. 27Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  185. 28Construction monitoring
  186. 29Post-construction monitoring
  187. 30Timing of monitoring report
  188. 31Reporting of impact pile driving
  189. 32Maintenance reporting
  190. 33Stages of construction
  191. 34Completion of construction
  192. 35Cable and Scour Reporting
  193. 36Cable and Scour Reporting
  194. 37Deployment of cable protection
  195. 38Placement of cable and cable protection proximate to Margate and Long Sands SAC
  196. 39Pre-construction, construction and post-construction monitoring and the local harbour authorities
  197. 40Remediation
  198. Schedule 10: DEEMED MARINE LICENCE UNDER THE 2009 ACT – TRANSMISSION ASSETS (OFFSHORE CONVERTER PLATFORM)
  199. Part 1: LICENSED MARINE ACTIVITIES
  200. 1Paragraph 1
  201. 2Details of licensed marine activities
  202. 3Details of licensed marine activities
  203. 4Details of licensed marine activities
  204. 5Details of licensed marine activities
  205. 6General provisions
  206. 7General provisions
  207. 8General provisions
  208. 9General provisions
  209. Part 2: CONDITIONS
  210. 10Design parameters
  211. 11Design parameters
  212. 12Maintenance of the authorised development
  213. 13Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  214. 14Extension of time periods
  215. 15Notifications and inspections
  216. 16Aids to navigation
  217. 17Colouring of structures
  218. 18Aviation safety
  219. 19Chemicals, drilling and debris
  220. 20Force majeure
  221. 21Pre-construction plans and documentation
  222. 22Pre-construction plans and documentation
  223. 23Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan
  224. 24Offshore safety management
  225. 25Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  226. 26Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  227. 27Construction monitoring
  228. 28Post-construction monitoring
  229. 29Timing of monitoring report
  230. 30Reporting of impact pile driving
  231. 31Maintenance reporting
  232. 32Cable and Scour Reporting
  233. 33Stages of construction
  234. 34Completion of construction
  235. 35Completion of construction
  236. Schedule 11: HEDGEROWS
  237. 1REMOVAL OF HEDGEROWS
  238. 2REMOVAL OF IMPORTANT HEDGEROWS
  239. Schedule 12: DOCUMENTS TO BE CERTIFIED
  240. Part 1: DOCUMENTS FORMING THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT TO BE CERTIFIED
  241. 1Paragraph 1
  242. Part 2: EXAMINATION DOCUMENTS FORMING PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT TO BE CERTIFIED
  243. 2Paragraph 2
  244. Part 3: OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE CERTIFIED
  245. 3Paragraph 3
  246. Schedule 13: ARBITRATION RULES
  247. 1Primary objective
  248. 2Time periods
  249. 3Timetable
  250. 4Procedure
  251. 5Arbitrator’s powers
  252. 6Costs
  253. 7Confidentiality
  254. Schedule 14: PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS
  255. Part 1: PROTECTION FOR ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER AND SEWERAGE UNDERTAKERS
  256. 1Paragraph 1
  257. 2Paragraph 2
  258. 3On street apparatus and offshore works
  259. 4Acquisition of land
  260. 5Removal of apparatus
  261. 6Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  262. 7Retained apparatus
  263. 8Expenses and costs
  264. 9Expenses and costs
  265. 10Miscellaneous
  266. Part 2: FOR THE PROTECTION FOR OPERATORS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE NETWORKS
  267. 11Paragraph 11
  268. 12Paragraph 12
  269. 13Paragraph 13
  270. 14Paragraph 14
  271. Part 3: FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
  272. 15Paragraph 15
  273. 16Paragraph 16
  274. 17Submission and approval of plans
  275. 18Construction of protective works
  276. 19Timing of works and service of notices
  277. 20Works not in accordance with this Part of this Schedule
  278. 21Maintenance of works
  279. 22Remediating impaired drainage work
  280. 23Agency access
  281. 24Free passage of fish
  282. 25Monitoring of Sea Defence
  283. 26Heavy vehicle movements during construction
  284. 27As built drawings
  285. 28Indemnity
  286. 29Disputes
  287. Part 4: FOR THE PROTECTION OF DRAINAGE AUTHORITIES
  288. 30Paragraph 30
  289. 31Paragraph 31
  290. 32Paragraph 32
  291. 33Paragraph 33
  292. 34Paragraph 34
  293. 35Paragraph 35
  294. 36Paragraph 36
  295. 37Paragraph 37
  296. 38Paragraph 38
  297. 39Paragraph 39
  298. 40Paragraph 40
  299. 41Paragraph 41
  300. 42Paragraph 42
  301. 43Paragraph 43
  302. 44Paragraph 44
  303. Part 5: FOR THE PROTECTION OF RAILWAY INTERESTS
  304. 45Paragraph 45
  305. 46Paragraph 46
  306. 47Paragraph 47
  307. 48Paragraph 48
  308. 49Paragraph 49
  309. 50Paragraph 50
  310. 51Paragraph 51
  311. 52Paragraph 52
  312. 53Paragraph 53
  313. 54Paragraph 54
  314. 55Paragraph 55
  315. 56Paragraph 56
  316. 57Paragraph 57
  317. 58Paragraph 58
  318. 59Paragraph 59
  319. 60Paragraph 60
  320. 61Paragraph 61
  321. 62Paragraph 62
  322. 63Paragraph 63
  323. 64Paragraph 64
  324. 65Paragraph 65
  325. 66Paragraph 66
  326. Part 6: FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
  327. 67Application etc.,
  328. 68Interpretation
  329. 69General
  330. 70General
  331. 71Works outside the Order limits
  332. 72Prior approvals
  333. 73Construction of the cable works and SRN works
  334. 74Payments
  335. 75Provisional Certificate for SRN works
  336. 76Provisional Certificate for cable works
  337. 77Opening
  338. 78Final condition survey
  339. 79Defects Period
  340. 80Final Certificate
  341. 81Security
  342. 82Commuted sums
  343. 83Insurance
  344. 84Indemnity
  345. 85Maintenance of the authorised development
  346. 86Land
  347. 87Expert Determination
  348. Part 7: FOR THE PROTECTION OF FIVE ESTUARIES OFFSHORE WIND FARM LIMITED
  349. 88Paragraph 88
  350. 89Application
  351. 90Application
  352. 91Acquisition of land and protection of apparatus
  353. 92Acquisition of land and protection of apparatus
  354. 93Acquisition of land and protection of apparatus
  355. 94Access
  356. 95Build option 2A scenario
  357. 96Collaboration
  358. 97Arbitration
  359. Part 8: FOR THE PROTECTION OF ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL AS LOCAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY
  360. 98Application
  361. 99Definitions
  362. 100Design input and commencement
  363. 101Design input and commencement
  364. 102Survey reinstatement
  365. 103Inspections and testing of materials
  366. 104Road Safety Audits
  367. 105Defects in local highways constructed by the undertaker
  368. 106Provisional Certificate
  369. 107Maintenance
  370. 108Final Certificate
  371. 109Emergency Work
  372. 110Land interests
  373. 111Disputes
  374. Part 9: FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANGLIAN WATER
  375. 112Application
  376. 113Interpretation
  377. 114Access
  378. 115On street apparatus
  379. 116Apparatus in closed or restricted streets
  380. 117Protective works to buildings
  381. 118Acquisition of land
  382. 119Removal of apparatus
  383. 120Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  384. 121Retained apparatus
  385. 122Expenses and costs
  386. 123Expenses and costs
  387. 124Cooperation
  388. 125Cooperation
  389. 126Cooperation
  390. 127Cooperation
  391. 128Cooperation
  392. Part 10: FOR THE PROTECTION OF AFFINITY WATER
  393. 129Application
  394. 130Interpretation
  395. 131On street apparatus
  396. 132Apparatus in closed streets
  397. 133Protective works to buildings
  398. 134Acquisition of land
  399. 135Removal of apparatus
  400. 136Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  401. 137Specified works
  402. 138Expenses and costs
  403. 139Indemnity
  404. 140Cooperation
  405. 141Expert Determination
  406. 142Access
  407. Part 11: FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION
  408. 143Application
  409. 144Interpretation
  410. 145Compulsory acquisition of land and rights
  411. 146Compulsory acquisition of land and rights
  412. 147Compulsory acquisition of land and rights
  413. 148Compulsory acquisition of land and rights
  414. 149Compulsory acquisition of land and rights
  415. 150Protection of National Grid apparatus
  416. 151Protection of National Grid apparatus
  417. 152Works in the EACN Substation Area
  418. 153Works in the EACN Substation Area
  419. 154Indemnity
  420. 155Indemnity
  421. Part 12: FOR THE PROTECTION OF CADENT GAS LIMITED
  422. 156Application
  423. 157Interpretation
  424. 158On Street apparatus
  425. 159Access to apparatus
  426. 160Protective works to buildings
  427. 161Acquisition of land
  428. 162Removal of apparatus
  429. 163Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  430. 164Retained apparatus: protection of Cadent
  431. 165Expenses
  432. 166Enactments and agreements
  433. 167Co-operation
  434. 168Access
  435. 169Arbitration
  436. Part 13: FOR THE PROTECTION OF EASTERN POWER NETWORKS
  437. 170Application
  438. 171Interpretation
  439. 172On street apparatus
  440. 173Apparatus in restricted streets and public rights of way
  441. 174Protective works to buildings
  442. 175Acquisition of land
  443. 176Removal of apparatus
  444. 177Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  445. 178Retained apparatus
  446. 179Expenses and costs
  447. 180Expenses and costs
  448. 181Enactments and agreements
  449. 182Cooperation
  450. 183Access
  451. 184Arbitration
  452. Part 14: FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY
  453. 185Paragraph 185
  454. 186Application
  455. 187Approvals and notice
  456. 188Cable Specification and Installation Plan
  457. 189Monitoring
  458. 190Provision of as built details
  459. 191Indemnity
  460. 192Transfer of the benefit
  461. 193Disputes
  462. Part 15: FOR THE PROTECTION OF LONDON GATEWAY PORT LIMITED
  463. 194Interpretation
  464. 195Application
  465. 196Approvals
  466. 197Approvals and refusals
  467. 198Notification of transfer of the benefit
  468. 199Provision of as built details
  469. 200Protection of London Gateway powers
  470. Schedule 15: COMPENSATION TO PROTECT THE COHERENCE OF THE NATIONAL SITE NETWORK
  471. Part 1: LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL COMPENSATION
  472. 1Paragraph 1
  473. 2Paragraph 2
  474. 3Marine Recovery Fund
  475. 4LBBG CIMP
  476. 5LBBG CIMP
  477. 6LBBG CIMP
  478. 7LBBG CIMP
  479. 8LBBG CIMP
  480. 9LBBG CIMP
  481. 10LBBG CIMP
  482. 11LBBG CIMP
  483. 12LBBG CIMP
  484. 13LBBG CIMP
  485. 14LBBG CIMP
  486. Part 2: GUILLEMOT COMPENSATION
  487. 15Paragraph 15
  488. 16Paragraph 16
  489. 17Marine Recovery Fund
  490. 18Guillemot CIMP
  491. 19Guillemot CIMP
  492. 20Guillemot CIMP
  493. 21Guillemot CIMP
  494. 22Guillemot CIMP
  495. 23Guillemot CIMP
  496. 24Guillemot CIMP
  497. 25Guillemot CIMP
  498. 26Guillemot CIMP
  499. 27Guillemot CIMP
  500. Part 3: KITTIWAKE COMPENSATION
  501. 28Paragraph 28
  502. 29Paragraph 29
  503. 30Marine Recovery Fund
  504. 31Kittiwake CIMP
  505. 32Kittiwake CIMP
  506. 33Kittiwake CIMP
  507. 34Kittiwake CIMP
  508. 35Kittiwake CIMP
  509. 36Kittiwake CIMP
  510. 37Kittiwake CIMP
  511. 38Kittiwake CIMP
  512. 39Kittiwake CIMP
  513. 40Kittiwake CIMP
  514. Part 4: RED THROATED DIVER COMPENSATION
  515. 41Paragraph 41
  516. 42Paragraph 42
  517. 43Marine Recovery Fund
  518. 44RTD CIMP
  519. 45RTD CIMP
  520. 46RTD CIMP
  521. 47RTD CIMP
  522. 48RTD CIMP
  523. 49RTD CIMP
  524. 50RTD CIMP
  525. 51RTD CIMP
  526. 52RTD CIMP
  527. 53RTD CIMP
  528. Explanatory note