Paragraph 14 Construction monitoringI1

Unless otherwise agreed, the undertaker shall, in discharging condition 9(3), submit details for approval by the MMO in consultation with Natural England and JNCC of any proposed surveys or monitoring, including methodologies and timings, to be carried out during the construction of the authorised scheme. The details of the construction monitoring shall be submitted at least four months prior to the commencement of any survey works and provide the agreed reports in the agreed format in accordance within the agreed timetable, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the MMO in consultation with Natural England and JNCC. The survey proposals shall specify each survey’s objectives. In any event, such monitoring shall, where driven or part-driven pile foundations are proposed to be used, include monitored background noise measurements (during periods when piling is not being undertaken) and measurements of noise generated by the installation of the first four monopile foundations. The results of the initial noise measurements shall be provided to the MMO within four weeks of the installation of the last of the four piles. The assessment of this report by the MMO shall determine whether any further noise monitoring is required.

The construction surveys referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall also have due regard to, but not be limited to, the need to undertake monitoring of marine mammals as part of a marine mammal mitigation protocol under condition 9(7)(g).