# The Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm Order 2026, Article 5: Benefit of the Order


(1) Subject to this article, the provisions of this Order have effect solely for the benefit of the undertaker.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the undertaker may with the written consent of the Secretary of State—
(a) transfer to another person (“the transferee”) any or all of the benefit of the provisions of this Order (including the deemed marine licences) and such related statutory rights as may be agreed between the undertaker and the transferee;
(b) grant to another person (“the lessee”) for a period agreed between the undertaker and the lessee any or all of the benefit of the provisions of this Order (including the deemed marine licences) and such related statutory rights as may be so agreed,
except where paragraph (6) applies, in which case the consent of the Secretary of State is not required.
(3) The Secretary of State must notify the MMO, and must have regard to any responses received from the MMO within 28 days of that notification, before giving consent to the transfer or grant to another person of the benefit of any or all of the provisions of any of the deemed marine licences.
(4) Where an agreement has been made in accordance with paragraph (2) references in this Order to the undertaker, except in paragraph (5), (7), (8), (11) and (12) of this article, include references to the transferee or lessee.
(5) Where the undertaker has transferred any benefit, or for the duration of any period during which the undertaker has granted any benefit, under paragraph (2)—
(a) the benefit transferred or granted (“the transferred benefit”) includes any rights that are conferred, and any obligations that are imposed, by virtue of the provisions to which the benefit relates;
(b) the transferred benefit resides exclusively with the transferee or, as the case may be, the lessee and the transferred benefit is not enforceable against the undertaker save in the case of a deemed marine licence transferred or granted in respect of any breach of an obligation by the undertaker which occurs prior to such transfer or grant or which occurs as a result of any activity carried out by the undertaker on behalf of the transferee; and
(c) the exercise by a person of any benefits or rights conferred in accordance with any transfer or grant under paragraph (2) are subject to the same restrictions, liabilities and obligations as would apply under this Order if those benefits or rights were exercised by the undertaker.
(6) The consent of the Secretary of State is required for the exercise of powers and under paragraph (2) except where—
(a) the transferee or lessee is a person who holds a licence under section 6 of the 1989 Act; or
(b) the time limits for claims for compensation in respect of the acquisition of land or effects upon land under this Order have elapsed and—
(i) no such claims have been made,
(ii) any such claim has been made and has been compromised or withdrawn,
(iii) compensation has been paid in final settlement of any such claim,
(iv) payment of compensation into court has taken place in lieu of settlement of any such claim; or
(v) it has been determined by a tribunal or court of competent jurisdiction in respect of any such claim that no compensation is payable.
(7) The provisions of article 8 (street works), article 11 (temporary closure of streets), article 18 (compulsory acquisition of land), article 20 (compulsory acquisition of rights), article 26 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised project) and article 27 (temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised project) have effect only for the benefit of the named undertaker, and a person who is a transferee or lessee and is also—
(a) in respect of Work Nos. 11 to 25 a person who holds a licence under the 1989 Act; or
(b) in respect of functions under article 8 (street works) relating to a street, a street authority.
(8) Prior to any transfer or grant under this article taking effect the undertaker must provide written notification to the Secretary of State and, if such transfer or grant relates to the exercise of powers in their area, to the MMO and the relevant planning authority.
(9) A notice required under paragraph (8) must—
(a) state—
(i) the name and contact details of the person to whom the benefit of the provisions will be transferred or granted;
(ii) subject to paragraph (10), the date on which the transfer will take effect;
(iii) the provisions to be transferred or granted;
(iv) the restrictions, liabilities and obligations that, in accordance with paragraph (5), will apply to the person exercising the powers transferred or granted; and
(v) where paragraph (6) does not apply, confirmation of the availability and adequacy of funds for compensation associated with the compulsory acquisition of the Order land.
(b) be accompanied by—
(i) where relevant, a plan showing the works or areas to which the transfer or grant relates; and
(ii) a copy of the document effecting the transfer or grant signed by the undertaker and the person to whom the benefit of the powers will be transferred or granted.
(10) The date specified under paragraph (9)(a)(ii) must not be earlier than the expiry of 14 days from the date of the Secretary of State’s receipt of the notice.
(11) The notice given under paragraph (8) must be signed by the undertaker and the person to whom the benefit of the powers will be transferred or granted as specified in that notice.
(12) Section 72(7) and (8) (variation, suspension, revocation and transfer) of the 2009 Act do not apply to a transfer or grant of the whole of the benefit of the provisions of any of the deemed marine licences to another person by the undertaker pursuant to an agreement under this article 5 (benefit of the Order) save that the MMO may amend any deemed marine licence granted under Schedules 10 to 15 of the Order to correct the name of the undertaker to the name of a transferee or lessee under this article 5 (benefit of the Order).

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/138/article/5 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/outer-dowsing-offshore-wind-farm-order-2026/article-5
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.