The West Burton Solar Project Order 2025

PART 2 — REMOVAL OF POTENTIALLY IMPORTANT HEDGEROWS

PART 3 — REMOVAL OF IMPORTANT HEDGEROWS

SCHEDULE 13 — DOCUMENTS AND PLANS TO BE CERTIFIED

PART 1 — DOCUMENTS AND PLANS

PART 2 — SUBSTITUTE AND SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTS

SCHEDULE 14 — ARBITRATION RULES

Commencing an arbitration

1

The arbitration is deemed to have commenced when a party (“the claimant”) serves a written notice of arbitration on the other party (“the respondent”).

Time periods

2

• (1) All time periods in these arbitration rules are measured in days and include weekends, but not bank or public holidays.

• (2) Time periods are calculated from the day after the arbitrator is appointed which is either—

• (a) the date the arbitrator notifies the parties in writing of his/her acceptance of an appointment by agreement of the parties; or

• (b) the date the arbitrator is appointed by the Secretary of State.

Timetable

3

• (1) The timetable for the arbitration is that which is set out in sub-paragraphs ‎(2) to ‎(4) below unless amended in accordance with paragraph ‎5(3).

• (2) Within 14 days of the arbitrator being appointed, the claimant must provide both the respondent and the arbitrator with—

• (a) a written statement of claim which describes the nature of the difference between the parties, the legal and factual issues, the claimant’s contentions as to those issues, the amount of its claim or the remedy it is seeking;

• (b) all statements of evidence and copies of all documents on which it relies, including contractual documentation, correspondence (including electronic documents), legal precedents and expert witness reports.

• (3) Within 14 days of receipt of the claimant’s statements under sub-paragraph ‎(2) by the arbitrator and respondent, the respondent must provide the claimant and the arbitrator with—

• (a) a written statement of defence consisting of a response to the claimant’s statement of claim, its statement in respect of the nature of the difference, the legal and factual issues in the claimant’s claim, its acceptance of any elements of the claimant’s claim and its contentions as to those elements of the claimant’s claim it does not accept;

• (b) all statements of evidence and copies of all documents on which it relies, including contractual documentation, correspondence (including electronic documents), legal precedents and expert witness reports;

• (c) any objection it wishes to make to the claimant’s statements, comments on the claimant’s expert reports (if submitted by the claimant) and explanations of the objections.

• (4) Within seven days of the respondent serving its statements under sub-paragraph ‎(3), the claimant may make a statement of reply by providing both the respondent and the arbitrator with—

• (a) a written statement responding to the respondent’s submissions, including its reply in respect of the nature of the difference, the issues (both factual and legal) and its contentions in relation to the issues;

• (b) all statements of evidence and copies of documents in response to the respondent’s submissions;

• (c) any expert report in response to the respondent’s submissions;

• (d) any objections to the statements of evidence, expert reports or other documents submitted by the respondent; and

• (e) its written submissions in response to the legal and factual issues involved.

Procedure

4

• (1) The parties’ pleadings, witness statements and expert reports (if any) must be concise. A single pleading must not exceed 30 single-sided A4 pages using 10pt Arial font.

• (2) The arbitrator will make an award on the substantive differences based solely on the written material submitted by the parties unless the arbitrator decides that a hearing is necessary to explain or resolve any matters.

• (3) Either party may, within two days of delivery of the last submission, request a hearing giving specific reasons why it considers a hearing is required.

• (4) Within seven days of receiving the last submission, the arbitrator must notify the parties whether a hearing is to be held and the length of that hearing.

• (5) Within ten days of the arbitrator advising the parties that a hearing is to be held, the date and venue for the hearing are to be fixed by agreement with the parties, save that if there is no agreement the arbitrator must direct a date and venue which the arbitrator considers is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances. The date for the hearing must not be less than 35 days from the date of the arbitrator’s direction confirming the date and venue of the hearing.

• (6) A decision must be made by the arbitrator on whether there is any need for expert evidence to be submitted orally at the hearing. If oral expert evidence is required by the arbitrator, then any experts attending the hearing may be asked questions by the arbitrator.

• (7) There is to be no examination or cross-examination of experts, but the arbitrator must invite the parties to ask questions of the experts by way of clarification of any answers given by the experts in response to the arbitrator’s questions. Prior to the hearing in relation to the experts—

• (a) at least 28 days before a hearing, the arbitrator must provide a list of issues to be addressed by the experts;

• (b) if more than one expert is called, they will jointly confer and produce a joint report or reports within 14 days of the issues being provided; and

• (c) the form and content of a joint report must be as directed by the arbitrator and must be provided at least seven days before the hearing.

• (8) Within 14 days of a hearing or a decision by the arbitrator that no hearing is to be held the parties may by way of exchange provide the arbitrator with a final submission in connection with the matters in dispute and any submissions on costs. The arbitrator must take these submissions into account in the award.

• (9) The arbitrator may make other directions or rulings as considered appropriate in order to ensure that the parties comply with the timetable and procedures to achieve an award on the substantive difference within four months of the date on which the arbitrator is appointed, unless both parties otherwise agree to an extension to the date for the award.

• (10) If a party fails to comply with the timetable, procedure or any other direction then the arbitrator may continue in the absence of a party or submission or document, and may make a decision on the information before the arbitrator attaching the appropriate weight to any evidence submitted beyond any timetable or in breach of any procedure or direction.

• (11) The arbitrator’s award must include reasons. The parties must accept that the extent to which reasons are given must be proportionate to the issues in dispute and the time available to the arbitrator to deliver the award.

Arbitrator’s powers

5

• (1) The arbitrator has all the powers of the Arbitration Act 1996, save where modified in this Schedule.

• (2) There must be no discovery or disclosure, except that the arbitrator is to have the power to order the parties to produce such documents as are reasonably requested by another party no later than the statement of reply, or by the arbitrator, where the documents are manifestly relevant, specifically identified and the burden of production is not excessive. Any application and orders should be made by way of a Redfern Schedule without any hearing.

• (3) Any time limits fixed in accordance with this procedure or by the arbitrator may be varied by agreement between the parties, subject to any such variation being acceptable to and approved by the arbitrator. In the absence of agreement, the arbitrator may vary the timescales or procedure—

• (a) if the arbitrator is satisfied that a variation of any fixed time limit is reasonably necessary to avoid a breach of the rules of natural justice and then;

• (b) only for such a period that is necessary to achieve fairness between the parties.

• (4) On the date the award is made, the arbitrator will notify the parties that the award is completed, signed and dated, and that it will be issued to the parties on receipt of cleared funds for the arbitrator’s fees and expenses.

Costs

6

• (1) The costs of the arbitration must include the fees and expenses of the arbitrator, the reasonable fees and expenses of any experts and the reasonable legal and other costs incurred by the parties for the arbitration.

• (2) Where the difference involves connected or interrelated issues, the arbitrator must consider the relevant costs collectively.

• (3) The final award must fix the costs of the arbitration and decide which of the parties are to bear them or in what proportion they are to be borne by the parties.

• (4) The arbitrator must award recoverable costs on the general principle that each party should bear its own costs, having regard to all material circumstances, including such matters as exaggerated claims or defences, the degree of success for different elements of the claims, claims that have incurred substantial costs, the conduct of the parties and the degree of success of a party.

Confidentiality

7

• (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), any arbitration hearing and documentation will be open to and accessible by the public.

• (2) The arbitrator may direct that the whole or part of a hearing is to be private or any documentation to be confidential where it is necessary in order to protect commercially sensitive information.(3) Nothing in this paragraph will prevent any disclosure of a document by a party pursuant to an order of a court in England and Wales or where disclosure is required under any enactment.

SCHEDULE 15 — PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS

PART 1 — FOR THE PROTECTION OF ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER AND SEWERAGE UNDERTAKERS

1

For the protection of the utility undertakers referred to in this Part of this Schedule (save for any utility undertakers which are specifically protected by any other Part of this Schedule, which will take precedence), the following provisions have effect, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the undertaker and the utility undertakers concerned.

2

In this Part of this Schedule—

• “alternative apparatus” means alternative apparatus adequate to enable the utility undertaker in question to fulfil its statutory functions in a manner not less efficient than previously;

• “apparatus” means—in the case of an electricity undertaker, electric lines or electrical plant (as defined in the 1989 Act), belonging to or maintained by that utility undertaker;in the case of a gas undertaker, any mains, pipes or other apparatus belonging to or maintained by a gas transporter for the purposes of gas supply;in the case of a water undertaker—mains, pipes or other apparatus belonging to or maintained by that utility undertaker for the purposes of water supply; andany water mains or service pipes (or part of a water main or service pipe) that is the subject of an agreement to adopt made under section 51A of the Water Industry Act 1991;in the case of a sewerage undertaker—any drain or works vested in the utility undertaker under the Water Industry Act 1991⁷⁰; andany sewer which is so vested or is the subject of a notice of intention to adopt given under section 102(4) of that Act or an agreement to adopt made under section 104 of that Act,and includes a sludge main, disposal main (within the meaning of section 219 of that Act) or sewer outfall and any manholes, ventilating shafts, pumps or other accessories forming part of any such sewer, drain or works, and includes any structure in which apparatus is or is to be lodged or which gives or will give access to apparatus; andany other mains, pipelines or cables that are not the subject of the protective provisions in Parts 2 to 19 of this Schedule;

• “functions” includes powers and duties;

• “in”, in a context referring to apparatus or alternative apparatus in land, includes a reference to apparatus or alternative apparatus under, over or upon land; and

• “utility undertaker” means—any licence holder within the meaning of Part 1 of the 1989 Act;a gas transporter within the meaning of Part 1 of the Gas Act 1986⁷¹;water undertaker within the meaning of the Water Industry Act 1991;a sewerage undertaker within the meaning of Part 1 of the Water Industry Act 1991; andan owner or operator of apparatus within paragraph (e) of the definition of that term,for the area of the authorised development, and in relation to any apparatus, means the utility undertaker to whom it belongs or by whom it is maintained.

3

This Part of this Schedule does not apply to apparatus in respect of which the relations between the undertaker and the utility undertaker are regulated by the provisions of Part 3 of the 1991 Act.

4

Regardless of the temporary prohibition or restriction of use of streets under the powers conferred by article ‎11 (temporary prohibition or restriction of use of streets and public rights of way), a utility undertaker is at liberty at all times to take all necessary access across any such street and to execute and do all such works and things in, upon or under any such street as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to enable it to maintain any apparatus which at the time of the prohibition or restriction was in that street.

5

Regardless of any provision in this Order or anything shown on the land plan, the undertaker must not acquire any apparatus otherwise than by agreement.

6

• (1) If, in the exercise of the powers conferred by this Order, the undertaker acquires any interest in any land in which any apparatus is placed or over which access to any apparatus is enjoyed or requires that the utility undertaker’s apparatus is relocated or diverted, that apparatus must not be removed under this Part of this Schedule, and any right of a utility undertaker to maintain that apparatus in that land and to gain access to it must not be extinguished, until alternative apparatus has been constructed and is in operation, and access to it has been provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the utility undertaker in question in accordance with sub-paragraphs ‎(2) to ‎(7).

• (2) If, for the purpose of executing any works in, on or under any land purchased, held, appropriated or used under this Order, the undertaker requires the removal of any apparatus placed in that land, the undertaker must give to the utility undertaker in question written notice of that requirement, together with a plan and section of the work proposed, and of the proposed position of the alternative apparatus to be provided or constructed and in that case (or if in consequence of the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this Order a utility undertaker reasonably needs to remove any of its apparatus) the undertaker must, subject to sub-paragraph ‎(3), afford to the utility undertaker the necessary facilities and rights for the construction of alternative apparatus in other land of the undertaker and subsequently for the maintenance of that apparatus.

• (3) If alternative apparatus or any part of such apparatus is to be constructed elsewhere than in other land of the undertaker, or the undertaker is unable to afford such facilities and rights as are mentioned in sub-paragraph ‎(2), in the land in which the alternative apparatus or part of such apparatus is to be constructed, the utility undertaker in question must, on receipt of a written notice to that effect from the undertaker, as soon as reasonably possible use reasonable endeavours to obtain the necessary facilities and rights in the land in which the alternative apparatus is to be constructed.

• (4) Any alternative apparatus to be constructed in land of the undertaker under this Part of this Schedule must be constructed in such manner and in such line or situation as may be agreed between the utility undertaker in question and the undertaker or in default of agreement settled by arbitration in accordance with article ‎42 (arbitration).

• (5) The utility undertaker in question must, after the alternative apparatus to be provided or constructed has been agreed or settled by arbitration in accordance with article ‎42 (arbitration), and after the grant to the utility undertaker of any such facilities and rights as are referred to in sub-paragraph ‎(2) or ‎(3), proceed without unnecessary delay to construct and bring into operation the alternative apparatus and subsequently to remove any apparatus required by the undertaker to be removed under the provisions of this Part of this Schedule.

• (6) Regardless of anything in sub-paragraph ‎(5), if the undertaker gives notice in writing to the utility undertaker in question that it desires itself to execute any work, or part of any work, in connection with the construction or removal of apparatus in any land controlled by the undertaker, that work, instead of being executed by the utility undertaker, must be executed by the undertaker without unnecessary delay under the superintendence, if given, and to the reasonable satisfaction of the utility undertaker.

• (7) Nothing in sub-paragraph ‎(6) authorises the undertaker to execute the placing, installation, bedding, packing, removal, connection or disconnection of any apparatus, or execute any filling around the apparatus (where the apparatus is laid in a trench) within 300 millimetres of the apparatus.

7

• (1) Where, in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Schedule, the undertaker affords to a utility undertaker facilities and rights for the construction and maintenance in land of the undertaker of alternative apparatus in substitution for apparatus to be removed, those facilities and rights must be granted upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed between the undertaker and the utility undertaker in question or in default of agreement settled by arbitration in accordance with article ‎42 (arbitration).

• (2) If the facilities and rights to be afforded by the undertaker in respect of any alternative apparatus, and the terms and conditions subject to which those facilities and rights are to be granted, are in the opinion of the arbitrator less favourable on the whole to the utility undertaker in question than the facilities and rights enjoyed by it in respect of the apparatus to be removed and the terms and conditions to which those facilities and rights are subject, the arbitrator must make such provision for the payment of compensation by the undertaker to that utility undertaker as appears to the arbitrator to be reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the particular case.

8

• (1) Not less than 28 days before starting the execution of any works in, on or under any land purchased, held, appropriated or used under this Order that are near to, or will or may affect, any apparatus the removal of which has not been required by the undertaker under paragraph ‎6(2), the undertaker must submit to the utility undertaker in question a plan, section and description of the works to be executed.

• (2) Those works must be executed only in accordance with the plan, section and description submitted under sub-paragraph ‎(1) and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with sub-paragraph ‎(3) by the utility undertaker for the alteration or otherwise for the protection of the apparatus, or for securing access to it, and the utility undertaker is entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.

• (3) Any requirements made by a utility undertaker under sub-paragraph ‎(2) must be made within a period of 21 days beginning with the date on which a plan, section and description under sub-paragraph ‎(1) are submitted to it.

• (4) If a utility undertaker in accordance with sub-paragraph ‎(3) and in consequence of the works proposed by the undertaker, reasonably requires the removal of any apparatus and gives written notice to the undertaker of that requirement, paragraphs ‎1 to ‎7 apply as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under paragraph ‎6(2).

• (5) Nothing in this paragraph precludes the undertaker from submitting at any time or from time to time, but in no case less than 28 days before commencing the execution of any works, a new plan, section and description instead of the plan, section and description previously submitted, and having done so the provisions of this paragraph apply to and in respect of the new plan, section and description.

• (6) The undertaker is not required to comply with sub-paragraph ‎(1) in a case of emergency but in that case it must give to the utility undertaker in question notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan, section and description of those works as soon as reasonably practicable subsequently and must comply with sub-paragraph ‎(2) in so far as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.

9

• (1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the undertaker must repay to a utility undertaker the reasonable expenses incurred by that utility undertaker in, or in connection with, the inspection, removal, alteration or protection of any apparatus or the construction of any new apparatus which may be required in consequence of the execution of any such works as are referred to in paragraph ‎6(2).

• (2) There is to be deducted from any sum payable under sub-paragraph ‎(1) the value of any apparatus removed under the provisions of this Part of this Schedule, that value being calculated after removal.

• (3) If in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Schedule—

• (a) apparatus of better type, of greater capacity or of greater dimensions is placed in substitution for existing apparatus of worse type, of smaller capacity or of smaller dimensions; or

• (b) apparatus (whether existing apparatus or apparatus substituted for existing apparatus) is placed at a depth greater than the depth at which the existing apparatus was,

and the placing of apparatus of that type or capacity or of those dimensions or the placing of apparatus at that depth, as the case may be, is not agreed by the undertaker or, in default of agreement, is not determined by arbitration in accordance with article ‎42 (arbitration) to be necessary, then, if such placing involves cost in the construction of works under this Part of this Schedule exceeding that which would have been involved if the apparatus placed had been of the existing type, capacity or dimensions, or at the existing depth, as the case may be, the amount which apart from this sub-paragraph would be payable to the utility undertaker in question by virtue of sub-paragraph ‎(1) is to be reduced by the amount of that excess.

• (4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph ‎(3)—

• (a) an extension of apparatus to a length greater than the length of existing apparatus is not to be treated as a placing of apparatus of greater dimensions than those of the existing apparatus where such extension is required in consequence of the execution of any such works as are referred to in paragraph ‎6(2); and

• (b) where the provision of a joint in a cable is agreed, or is determined to be necessary, the consequential provision of a jointing chamber or of a manhole is to be treated as if it also had been agreed or had been so determined.

• (5) An amount which apart from this sub-paragraph would be payable to a utility undertaker in respect of works by virtue of sub-paragraph ‎(1), if the works include the placing of apparatus provided in substitution for apparatus placed more than 7 years and 6 months earlier so as to confer on the utility undertaker any financial benefit by deferment of the time for renewal of the apparatus in the ordinary course, is to be reduced by the amount which represents that benefit.

10

• (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs ‎(2) and ‎(3), if by reason or in consequence of the construction of any of the works referred to in paragraph ‎6(2), any damage is caused to any apparatus (other than apparatus the repair of which is not reasonably necessary in view of its intended removal for the purposes of those works) or property of a utility undertaker, or there is any interruption in any service provided, or in the supply of any goods, by any utility undertaker, the undertaker must—

• (a) bear and pay the cost reasonably incurred by that utility undertaker in making good such damage or restoring the supply; and

• (b) make reasonable compensation to that utility undertaker for any other expenses, loss, damages, penalty or costs incurred by the utility undertaker,

by reason or in consequence of any such damage or interruption.

• (2) Nothing in sub-paragraph ‎(1) imposes any liability on the undertaker with respect to any damage or interruption to the extent that it is attributable to the act, neglect or default of a utility undertaker, its officers, servants, contractors or agents.

• (3) A utility undertaker must give the undertaker reasonable notice of any such claim or demand and no settlement or compromise is to be made without the consent of the undertaker which, if it withholds such consent, has the sole conduct of any settlement or compromise or of any proceedings necessary to resist the claim or demand.

11

Nothing in this Part of this Schedule affects the provisions of any enactment or agreement regulating the relations between the undertaker and a utility undertaking in respect of any apparatus laid or erected in land belonging to the undertaker on the date on which this Order is made.

PART 2 — FOR THE PROTECTION OF OPERATORS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE NETWORKS

12

For the protection of any operator, the following provisions have effect, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the undertaker and the operator.

13

In this Part of this Schedule—

• “the 2003 Act” means the Communications Act 2003⁷²;

• “electronic communications apparatus” has the same meaning as in the electronic communications code;

• “electronic communications code” has the same meaning as in section 106 (application of the electronic communications code) of the 2003 Act;

• “electronic communications code network” means—so much of an electronic communications network or conduit system provided by an electronic communications code operator as is not excluded from the application of the electronic communications code by a direction under section 106 of the 2003 Act; andan electronic communications network which the Secretary of State is providing or proposing to provide;

• “electronic communications code operator” means a person in whose case the electronic communications code is applied by a direction under section 106 of the 2003 Act; and

• “operator” means the operator of an electronic communications code network.

14

The exercise of the powers of article ‎31 (statutory undertakers) is subject to Part 10 (undertakers’ works affecting electronic communications apparatus) of the electronic communications code.

15

• (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs ‎(2) to ‎(4), if as the result of the authorised development or its construction, or of any subsidence resulting from any of those works—

• (a) any damage is caused to any electronic communications apparatus belonging to an operator (other than apparatus the repair of which is not reasonably necessary in view of its intended removal for the purposes of those works), or other property of an operator; or

• (b) there is any interruption in the supply of the service provided by an operator,

the undertaker must bear and pay the cost reasonably incurred by the operator in making good such damage or restoring the supply and make reasonable compensation to that operator for any other expenses, loss, damages, penalty or costs incurred by it, by reason, or in consequence of, any such damage or interruption.

• (2) Nothing in sub-paragraph ‎(1) imposes any liability on the undertaker with respect to any damage or interruption to the extent that it is attributable to the act, neglect or default of an operator, its officers, servants, contractors or agents.

• (3) The operator must give the undertaker reasonable notice of any such claim or demand and no settlement or compromise of the claim or demand is to be made without the consent of the undertaker which, if it withholds such consent, has the sole conduct of any settlement or compromise or of any proceedings necessary to resist the claim or demand.

• (4) Any difference arising between the undertaker and the operator under this Part of this Schedule must be referred to and settled by arbitration under article ‎42 (arbitration).

16

This Part of this Schedule does not apply to—

• (a) any apparatus in respect of which the relations between the undertaker and an operator are regulated by the provisions of Part 3 (street works in England and Wales) of the 1991 Act; or