Paragraph 24 Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation Site Integrity Plan (Piling)

No piling activities can begin until a Site Integrity Plan (SIP), which accords with the principles set out in the in principle Southern North Sea SAC Site Integrity Plan so far as relevant to the authorised scheme, has been submitted to, and approved in writing, by the MMO in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

The SIP submitted for approval must contain a description of the conservation objectives for the Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation (SNS SAC) as well as any relevant management measures and it must set out the key statutory nature conservation body advice on activities within the SNS SAC relating to piling as set out within the JNCC Guidance and how this has been considered in the context of the authorised scheme.

The SIP must be submitted to the MMO no later than six months prior to the commencement of piling activities.

In approving the SIP the MMO must be satisfied that the authorised scheme at the pre-construction stage, in-combination with other plans and projects, is in line with the JNCC Guidance.

The approved SIP may be amended with the prior written approval of the MMO, in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body, where the MMO remains satisfied that the authorised scheme, in-combination with other plans or projects at the pre-construction stage, is in line with the JNCC Guidance.

The MMO must determine an application for approval made under condition 15 within a period of six months commencing on the date the application is received by the MMO, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the undertaker.

The licensed activities must be carried out in accordance with the SIP approved under condition 15, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MMO.