OpenLegislation

The Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm Order 2026

S.I. 2026/138 · Made 10 February 2026

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise statutory instruments, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

Infrastructure Planning

Made 10th February 2026

Coming into force 4th March 2026

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

The application was examined by the Examining Authority, which has made a report to the Secretary of State under section 74(2)f2 of the 2008 Act.

The Examining Authority, having considered the application together with the documents that accompanied it, and the representations made and not withdrawn, has, in accordance with section 74 of the 2008 Act made a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State has considered 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 2017f3 and has had regard to the documents and matters referred to in section 104(2)f4 of the 2008 Act.

The Secretary of State is satisfied that special category land comprised within the Order land, when burdened with the new rights authorised for compulsory acquisition under the terms of 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 giving effect to the proposals comprised in the application on terms that in the opinion of the Secretary of State are not materially different from those proposed in the application.

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 114f5 and 120f6 of the 2008 Act, makes the following Order.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

2008 c. 29. Parts 1 to 7 were amended by Chapter 6 of Part 6 of, and schedule 13 to, the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) and by sections 22 to 27 of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27).

f2

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

f3

S.I. 2017/572.

f4

Section 104(2) was amended by paragraph 49(3) of Schedule 13 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) and section 58(5) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23).

f5

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

f6

Section 120 was amended by section 140 and paragraph 60 of Schedule 13 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20).

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. 4Power to maintain the authorised project
  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. 10Temporary closure of public rights of way
  14. 11Temporary closure of streets
  15. 12Access to works
  16. 13Agreements with street authorities
  17. 14Power to alter layout etc. of streets
  18. 15Traffic Regulation
  19. Part 4: Supplemental powers
  20. 16Discharge of water
  21. 17Authority to survey and investigate the land onshore
  22. Part 5: Powers of Acquisition
  23. 18Compulsory acquisition of land
  24. 19Time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily
  25. 20Compulsory acquisition of rights
  26. 21Private rights
  27. 22Application of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981
  28. 23Modification of Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965
  29. 24Acquisition of subsoil or airspace only
  30. 25Rights under or over streets
  31. 26Temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised project
  32. 27Temporary use of land for maintaining authorised project
  33. 28Statutory undertakers
  34. 29Recovery of costs of new connections
  35. Part 6: Operations
  36. 30Operation of generating station
  37. 31Deemed marine licences under the 2009 Act
  38. Part 7: Miscellaneous and general
  39. 32Application of landlord and tenant law
  40. 33Amendment of local legislation
  41. 34Operational land for purposes of the 1990 Act
  42. 35Felling or lopping of trees and removal of hedgerows
  43. 36Trees subject to tree preservation orders
  44. 37Protective provisions
  45. 38Arbitration
  46. 39Requirements, appeals, etc.
  47. 40Certification of plans etc.
  48. 41Abatement of works abandoned or decayed
  49. 42Saving provisions for Trinity House
  50. 43Crown rights
  51. 44Funding
  52. 45Compensation provisions
  53. 46Service of notices
  54. 47Transfer of functions of the relevant local planning authority
  55. 48No double recovery
  56. Signature
  57. Schedule 1: Authorised project
  58. Part 1: Authorised development
  59. 1Paragraph 1
  60. 2Paragraph 2
  61. Part 2: Ancillary Works
  62. 3Paragraph 3
  63. Part 3: Requirements
  64. 4Time limits
  65. 5Detailed offshore design parameters
  66. 6Detailed offshore design parameters
  67. 7Detailed offshore design parameters
  68. 8Detailed offshore design parameters
  69. 9Detailed offshore design parameters
  70. 10Offshore decommissioning
  71. 11Stages of authorised project onshore
  72. 12Detailed onshore design parameters
  73. 13Provision of landscaping
  74. 14Implementation and maintenance of landscaping
  75. 15Ecological management plan
  76. 16Fencing and other means of permanent enclosure
  77. 17Temporary fencing and other temporary means of enclosure
  78. 18Operational drainage management and emergency flood response
  79. 19Contaminated land and groundwater
  80. 20Onshore archaeology
  81. 21Code of construction practice
  82. 22Construction hours
  83. 23Highway accesses
  84. 24Traffic
  85. 25Public rights of way
  86. 26Restoration of land used temporarily for construction
  87. 27Onshore decommissioning
  88. 28Control of noise during operational phase
  89. 29Control of artificial light emissions during operational phase
  90. 30Aviation Lighting
  91. 31Requirement for written approval
  92. 32Amendments to approved details
  93. 33Skills, supply chain and employment
  94. 34Cromer and Claxby Radar Mitigation
  95. 35Ministry of Defence Surveillance Operation
  96. 36Biodiversity Net Gain
  97. 37Wake Effects
  98. Schedule 2Streets subject to street works
  99. Schedule 3Public rights of way to be temporarily closed
  100. Schedule 4Streets to be temporarily closed
  101. Schedule 5Access to works
  102. Schedule 6: Traffic regulation
  103. 1Part 1
  104. 2Part 2
  105. Schedule 7Land in which only new rights etc. may be acquired
  106. Schedule 8: Modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for creation of new rights and imposition of new restrictions
  107. 1Compensation enactments
  108. 2Compensation enactments
  109. 3Compensation enactments
  110. 4Application of the 1965 Act
  111. 5Application of the 1965 Act
  112. 6Application of the 1965 Act
  113. 7Application of the 1965 Act
  114. 8Application of the 1965 Act
  115. 9Application of the 1965 Act
  116. 10Application of the 1965 Act
  117. Schedule 9Land of which temporary possession may be taken
  118. Schedule 10: Deemed marine licence under the 2009 Act - generation assets
  119. Part 1: Licensed Marine Activities
  120. 1Paragraph 1
  121. 2Paragraph 2
  122. 3Paragraph 3
  123. 4Paragraph 4
  124. 5Paragraph 5
  125. 6Paragraph 6
  126. 7Paragraph 7
  127. 8Paragraph 8
  128. 9Paragraph 9
  129. Part 2: Conditions
  130. 10Design parameters
  131. 11Design parameters
  132. 12Design parameters
  133. 13Maintenance of the authorised scheme
  134. 14Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  135. 15Extension of time periods
  136. 16Notification and Inspection
  137. 17Aids to navigation
  138. 18Colouring of structures
  139. 19Aviation safety
  140. 20Chemicals, drilling and debris
  141. 21Notification of unauthorised deposits
  142. 22Pre-construction plans and documentation
  143. 23Pre-construction plans and documentation
  144. 24Offshore safety management
  145. 25Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  146. 26Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  147. 27Construction monitoring
  148. 28Post construction
  149. 29Reporting of impact pile driving
  150. 30Deployment of cable protection
  151. 31Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)
  152. 32Completion of construction
  153. 33Maintenance reporting
  154. 34Piling restriction for spawning herring
  155. Schedule 11: Deemed marine licence under the 2009 Act – offshore transmission assets
  156. Part 1: Licensed marine activities
  157. 1Paragraph 1
  158. 2Paragraph 2
  159. 3Paragraph 3
  160. 4Paragraph 4
  161. 5Paragraph 5
  162. 6Paragraph 6
  163. 7Paragraph 7
  164. 8Paragraph 8
  165. 9Paragraph 9
  166. Part 2: Conditions
  167. 10Design parameters
  168. 11Design parameters
  169. 12Design parameters
  170. 13Maintenance of the authorised scheme
  171. 14Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  172. 15Extension of time periods
  173. 16Notification and Inspection
  174. 17Aids to navigation
  175. 18Colouring of structures
  176. 19Aviation safety
  177. 20Chemicals, drilling and debris
  178. 21Notification of unauthorised deposits
  179. 22Pre-construction plans and documentation
  180. 23Pre-construction plans and documentation
  181. 24Offshore safety management
  182. 25Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  183. 26Pre-construction monitoring and surveys
  184. 27Construction monitoring
  185. 28Post construction
  186. 29Reporting of impact pile driving
  187. 30Deployment of cable protection
  188. 31Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)
  189. 32Completion of construction
  190. 33Maintenance reporting
  191. 34Seasonal restriction
  192. Schedule 12: Deemed marine licence under the 2009 Act – northern artificial nesting structure 1
  193. Part 1: Licensed marine activities
  194. 1Paragraph 1
  195. 2Paragraph 2
  196. 3Paragraph 3
  197. 4Paragraph 4
  198. 5Paragraph 5
  199. 6Paragraph 6
  200. 7Paragraph 7
  201. 8Paragraph 8
  202. 9Paragraph 9
  203. Part 2: Conditions
  204. 10Design parameters
  205. 11Maintenance of the authorised scheme
  206. 12Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  207. 13Extension of time periods
  208. 14Notification and Inspection
  209. 15Aids to navigation
  210. 16Colouring of structures
  211. 17Chemicals, drilling and debris
  212. 18Notification of unauthorised deposits
  213. 19Aviation safety
  214. 20Pre-construction plans and documents
  215. 21Pre-construction plans and documents
  216. 22Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  217. 23Reporting of impact pile driving
  218. 24Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)
  219. 25Maintenance reporting
  220. 26Piling restriction for spawning herring
  221. Schedule 13: Deemed marine licence under the 2009 Act – northern artificial nesting structure 2
  222. Part 1: Licensed marine activities
  223. 1Paragraph 1
  224. 2Paragraph 2
  225. 3Paragraph 3
  226. 4Paragraph 4
  227. 5Paragraph 5
  228. 6Paragraph 6
  229. 7Paragraph 7
  230. 8Paragraph 8
  231. 9Paragraph 9
  232. Part 2: Conditions
  233. 10Design parameters
  234. 11Maintenance of the authorised scheme
  235. 12Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  236. 13Extension of time periods
  237. 14Notification and Inspection
  238. 15Aids to navigation
  239. 16Colouring of structures
  240. 17Chemicals, drilling and debris
  241. 18Notification of unauthorised deposits
  242. 19Aviation safety
  243. 20Pre-construction plans and documents
  244. 21Pre-construction plans and documents
  245. 22Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  246. 23Reporting of impact pile driving
  247. 24Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)
  248. 25Maintenance reporting
  249. 26Piling restriction for spawning herring
  250. Schedule 14: Deemed marine licence under the 2009 Act – southern artificial nesting structure 1
  251. Part 1: Licensed marine activities
  252. 1Paragraph 1
  253. 2Paragraph 2
  254. 3Paragraph 3
  255. 4Paragraph 4
  256. 5Paragraph 5
  257. 6Paragraph 6
  258. 7Paragraph 7
  259. 8Paragraph 8
  260. 9Paragraph 9
  261. Part 2: Conditions
  262. 10Design parameters
  263. 11Maintenance of the authorised scheme
  264. 12Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  265. 13Extension of time periods
  266. 14Notification and Inspection
  267. 15Aids to navigation
  268. 16Colouring of structures
  269. 17Chemicals, drilling and debris
  270. 18Notification of unauthorised deposits
  271. 19Aviation safety
  272. 20Pre-construction plans and documents
  273. 21Pre-construction plans and documents
  274. 22Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  275. 23Reporting of impact pile driving
  276. 24Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)
  277. 25Maintenance reporting
  278. Schedule 15: Deemed marine licence under the 2009 Act – southern artificial nesting structure 2
  279. Part 1: Licensed marine activities
  280. 1Paragraph 1
  281. 2Paragraph 2
  282. 3Paragraph 3
  283. 4Paragraph 4
  284. 5Paragraph 5
  285. 6Paragraph 6
  286. 7Paragraph 7
  287. 8Paragraph 8
  288. 9Paragraph 9
  289. Part 2: Conditions
  290. 10Design parameters
  291. 11Maintenance of the authorised scheme
  292. 12Vessels under the undertaker’s control
  293. 13Extension of time periods
  294. 14Notification and Inspection
  295. 15Aids to navigation
  296. 16Colouring of structures
  297. 17Chemicals, drilling and debris
  298. 18Notification of unauthorised deposits
  299. 19Aviation safety
  300. 20Pre-construction plans and documents
  301. 21Pre-construction plans and documents
  302. 22Reporting of engaged agents, contractors and vessels
  303. 23Reporting of impact pile driving
  304. 24Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)
  305. 25Maintenance reporting
  306. Schedule 16
  307. 1Paragraph 1
  308. Schedule 17: Hedgerows
  309. 1Removal of hedgerows
  310. 2Removal of important hedgerows
  311. Schedule 18: Protective Provisions
  312. Part 1: Protection for electricity, gas, water and sewerage undertakers
  313. 1Application
  314. 2Application
  315. 3Precedence of the 1991 Act in respect of apparatus in the street
  316. 4No acquisition etc. except by agreement
  317. 5Removal of apparatus
  318. 6Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  319. 7Retained apparatus
  320. 8Expenses and costs
  321. 9Expenses and costs
  322. 10Miscellaneous
  323. 11Miscellaneous
  324. Part 2: Protection for operators of electronic communications code networks
  325. 12Paragraph 12
  326. 13Paragraph 13
  327. 14Paragraph 14
  328. 15Paragraph 15
  329. 16Paragraph 16
  330. 17Paragraph 17
  331. Part 3: Protection for Anglian Water Services Limited
  332. 18Application
  333. 19Interpretation
  334. 20On street apparatus
  335. 21Apparatus in closed streets
  336. 22Acquisition of land
  337. 23Removal of apparatus
  338. 24Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  339. 25Retained apparatus
  340. 26Expenses and costs
  341. 27Expenses and costs
  342. 28Cooperation
  343. 29Cooperation
  344. 30Cooperation
  345. 31Cooperation
  346. 32Cooperation
  347. 33Cooperation
  348. Part 4: Protection for the Environment Agency
  349. 34Paragraph 34
  350. 35Submission and approval of plans
  351. 36Construction of protective works
  352. 37Timing of works and service of notices
  353. 38Works not in accordance with this Part of Schedule 18
  354. 39Maintenance of works
  355. 40Remediating impaired drainage work
  356. 41Agency access
  357. 42Free passage of fish
  358. 43Indemnity
  359. 44Indemnity
  360. 45Disputes
  361. Part 5: Protection for the drainage authorities
  362. 46Paragraph 46
  363. 47Paragraph 47
  364. 48Paragraph 48
  365. 49Paragraph 49
  366. 50Paragraph 50
  367. 51Paragraph 51
  368. 52Paragraph 52
  369. 53Paragraph 53
  370. 54Paragraph 54
  371. 55Paragraph 55
  372. 56Paragraph 56
  373. Part 6: Protection for the Harbour Authority
  374. 57Paragraph 57
  375. 58Interpretation
  376. 59Submission and approval of plans
  377. 60Construction of specified works and service of notices
  378. 61Construction of specified works and service of notices
  379. 62Harbour legislation
  380. 63Harbour legislation
  381. Part 7: Protection for National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc
  382. 64Application
  383. 65Interpretation
  384. 66Interaction with the Proposed NGET Projects
  385. 67On Street Apparatus
  386. 68Apparatus of National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc in closed streets
  387. 69Acquisition of land
  388. 70Removal of apparatus
  389. 71Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  390. 72Retained apparatus: protection
  391. 73Expenses
  392. 74Indemnity
  393. 75Enactments and agreements
  394. 76Co-operation
  395. 77Access
  396. 78Arbitration
  397. 79Notices
  398. 80Restriction on authorised development
  399. Part 8: Protection for National Gas Transmission Plc
  400. 81Application
  401. 82Interpretation
  402. 83On Street Apparatus
  403. 84Apparatus of National Gas in closed streets
  404. 85Acquisition of land
  405. 86Removal of apparatus
  406. 87Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  407. 88Retained apparatus: protection
  408. 89Expenses
  409. 90Indemnity
  410. 91Enactments and agreements
  411. 92Co-operation
  412. 93Access
  413. 94Arbitration
  414. 95Notices
  415. Part 9: Protection for Cadent Gas Limited
  416. 96Application
  417. 97Interpretation
  418. 98On street apparatus
  419. 99Apparatus of Cadent in closed streets
  420. 100Acquisition of land
  421. 101Removal of apparatus
  422. 102Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  423. 103Retained apparatus: protection of Cadent
  424. 104Expenses
  425. 105Indemnity
  426. 106Enactments and agreements
  427. 107Co-operation
  428. 108Access
  429. 109Arbitration
  430. 110Notices
  431. Part 10: Protection for Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
  432. 111Paragraph 111
  433. 112Paragraph 112
  434. 113Paragraph 113
  435. 114Paragraph 114
  436. 115Paragraph 115
  437. 116Paragraph 116
  438. 117Paragraph 117
  439. 118Paragraph 118
  440. 119Paragraph 119
  441. 120Paragraph 120
  442. 121Paragraph 121
  443. 122Paragraph 122
  444. 123Paragraph 123
  445. 124Paragraph 124
  446. 125Paragraph 125
  447. 126Paragraph 126
  448. 127Paragraph 127
  449. 128Paragraph 128
  450. 129Paragraph 129
  451. 130Paragraph 130
  452. 131Paragraph 131
  453. 132Paragraph 132
  454. Part 11: Protection for Perenco Gas (UK) Limited, Perenco North Sea Limited, Everard Energy Limited, Ithaca MA Limited, and RockRose (UKCS2) Limited
  455. 133Application
  456. 134Interpretation
  457. 135Restriction on authorised development
  458. 136Submission and approval of plans
  459. 137Co-existence and proximity agreement
  460. 138Provision of information
  461. 139Arbitration
  462. Part 12: Protection for Shell U.K. Limited and Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited
  463. 140Application
  464. 141Interpretation
  465. 142Restriction on authorised development
  466. 143Coexistence and proximity agreement
  467. 144Provision of information
  468. 145Arbitration
  469. Part 13: Protection for Lincs Wind Farm Limited
  470. 146Application
  471. 147Interpretation
  472. 148Control of works within the Lincs control area
  473. 149Arbitration
  474. Part 14: Protection for Race Bank Wind Farm Limited
  475. 150Application
  476. 151Interpretation
  477. 152Control of works within the Race Bank control area
  478. 153Arbitration
  479. Part 15: Protection for Dudgeon Extension Limited
  480. 154Application
  481. 155Interpretation
  482. 156Control of works within the DEP control area
  483. 157Arbitration
  484. Part 16: Protection for Spalding Energy Company Limited and Spalding Energy Expansion Limited
  485. 158Application
  486. 159Application
  487. 160On Street Apparatus
  488. 161Apparatus of Spalding Energy in closed streets
  489. 162Acquisition of land
  490. 163Removal of apparatus
  491. 164Facilities and rights for alternative apparatus
  492. 165Retained apparatus: protection
  493. 166Expenses
  494. 167Indemnity
  495. 168Enactments and agreements
  496. 169Co-operation
  497. 170Access
  498. 171Arbitration
  499. 172Notices
  500. Schedule 19: Arbitration Rules
  501. 1Primary objective
  502. 2Time periods
  503. 3Timetable
  504. 4Procedure
  505. 5Arbitrator’s powers
  506. 6Costs
  507. 7Confidentiality
  508. 8Conservatory and Interim Measures
  509. Schedule 20: Procedure for discharge of requirements
  510. 1Applications made for certain approvals
  511. 2Further information
  512. 3Appeals
  513. 4Fees
  514. 5Interpretation of this Schedule
  515. Schedule 21: Documents to be certified
  516. 1Documents forming the environmental statement to be certified
  517. 2Other Documents to be certified
  518. Schedule 22: Compensation provisions
  519. Part 1: Flamborough and Filey Coast Special Protection Area: Kittiwake Compensation Measures
  520. 1Paragraph 1
  521. 2Paragraph 2
  522. 3Marine Recovery Fund
  523. 4Kittiwake CIMP
  524. 5Kittiwake CIMP
  525. 6Kittiwake CIMP
  526. 7Kittiwake CIMP
  527. 8Kittiwake CIMP
  528. 9Kittiwake CIMP
  529. 10Kittiwake CIMP
  530. 11Kittiwake CIMP
  531. 12Kittiwake CIMP
  532. Part 2: Flamborough and Filey Coast Special Protection Area and Farne Islands Special Protection Area: Guillemot Compensation Measures
  533. 13Paragraph 13
  534. 14Paragraph 14
  535. 15Marine Recovery Fund
  536. 16Guillemot CIMP
  537. 17Guillemot CIMP
  538. 18Guillemot CIMP
  539. 19Guillemot CIMP
  540. 20Guillemot CIMP
  541. 21Guillemot CIMP
  542. 22Guillemot CIMP
  543. 23Guillemot CIMP
  544. 24Guillemot CIMP
  545. 25Guillemot CIMP
  546. Part 3: Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge Special Area of Conservation: Sandbank Compensation Measures
  547. 26Paragraph 26
  548. 27Paragraph 27
  549. 28Paragraph 28
  550. Part 4: Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge Special Area of Conservation: Reef Compensation Measures
  551. 29Paragraph 29
  552. 30Paragraph 30
  553. 31Paragraph 31
  554. Explanatory note