The East Yorkshire Solar Farm Order 2025

• (1) Where, in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Schedule, the undertaker affords to or secures for National Gas facilities and rights in land for the construction, use, maintenance and protection 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 National Gas and must be no less favourable on the whole to National Gas than the facilities and rights enjoyed by it in respect of the apparatus to be removed unless otherwise agreed by National Gas.

• (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 less favourable on the whole to National Gas 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 matter may be referred to arbitration in accordance with paragraph 131 (arbitration) of this Part of this Schedule and the arbitrator must make such provision for the payment of compensation by the undertaker to National Gas as appears to the arbitrator to be reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the particular case.

Retained apparatus: protection

125

• (1) Not less than 56 days before the commencement of any specified works the undertaker must submit to National Gas a plan and, if reasonably required by National Gas, a ground monitoring scheme in respect of those works.

• (2) In relation to specified works the plan to be submitted to National Gas under sub-paragraph (1) must include a method statement and describe—

• (a) the exact position of the works;

• (b) the level at which these are proposed to be constructed or renewed;

• (c) the manner of their construction or renewal including details of excavation, positioning of plant etc;

• (d) the position of all apparatus;

• (e) by way of detailed drawings, every alteration proposed to be made to or close to any such apparatus; and

• (f) any intended maintenance regimes.

• (3) The undertaker must not commence any works to which sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) apply until National Gas has given written approval of the plan so submitted.

• (4) Any approval of National Gas required under sub-paragraph (3)—

• (a) may be given subject to reasonable conditions for any purpose mentioned in sub-paragraphs (5) or (6); and,

• (b) must not be unreasonably withheld.

• (5) In relation to any work to which sub-paragraphs (1) and/or (2) apply, National Gas may require such modifications to be made to the plans as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of securing its apparatus against interference or risk of damage for the provision of protective works or for the purpose of providing or securing proper and convenient means of access to any apparatus.

• (6) Works executed under sub-paragraphs (1) or (2) must be executed in accordance with the plan, submitted under sub-paragraph (1) or as relevant sub-paragraph (5), as approved or as amended from time to time by agreement between the undertaker and National Gas and in accordance with such reasonable requirements as may be made in accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) or (7) by National Gas for the alteration or otherwise for the protection of the apparatus, or for securing access to it, and National Gas will be entitled to watch and inspect the execution of those works.

• (7) Where National Gas requires any protective works to be carried out by itself or by the undertaker (whether of a temporary or permanent nature) such protective works, inclusive of any measures or schemes required and approved as part of the plan approved pursuant to this paragraph, must be carried out to National Gas’ satisfaction prior to the commencement of any specified works for which protective works are required and National Gas must give notice of its requirement for such works within 42 days of the date of submission of a plan pursuant to this paragraph (except in an emergency).

• (8) If National Gas in accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) or (7) 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 117 to 119 and 122 to 124 apply as if the removal of the apparatus had been required by the undertaker under paragraph 123(2).

• (9) Nothing in this paragraph precludes the undertaker from submitting at any time or from time to time, but in no case less than 56 days before commencing the execution of the specified works, a new plan, instead of the plan previously submitted, and having done so the provisions of this paragraph will apply to and in respect of the new plan.

• (10) The undertaker will not be required to comply with sub-paragraph (1) where it needs to carry out emergency works as defined in the 1991 Act but in that case it must give to National Gas notice as soon as is reasonably practicable and a plan of those works and must comply with sub-paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) insofar as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances and comply with sub-paragraph (11) at all times.

• (11) At all times when carrying out any works authorised under the Order the undertaker must comply with National Gas’s policies for safe working in proximity to gas apparatus“Specification for safe working in the vicinity of National Gas, High pressure Gas pipelines and associated installation requirements for third parties T/SP/SSW22” and HSE’s “HS(~G)47 Avoiding Danger from underground services”.

• (12) As soon as reasonably practicable after any ground subsidence event attributable to the authorised development the undertaker shall implement an appropriate ground mitigation scheme save that National Gas retains the right to carry out any further necessary protective works for the safeguarding of its apparatus and can recover any such costs in line with paragraph 126.

Expenses

126

• (1) Save where otherwise agreed in writing between National Gas and the undertaker and subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the undertaker must pay to National Gas within 30 days of receipt of an itemised VAT invoice or claim from National Gas all charges, costs and expenses reasonably anticipated within the following three months or reasonably and properly incurred by National Gas in, or in connection with, the inspection, removal, relaying or replacing, alteration or protection of any apparatus or the construction of any new or alternative apparatus which may be required in consequence of the execution of any authorised works including without limitation—

• (a) any costs reasonably incurred by or compensation properly paid by National Gas in connection with the acquisition of rights or the exercise of statutory powers for such apparatus including without limitation all costs incurred by National Gas as a consequence of National Gas:

• (i) using its own compulsory purchase powers to acquire any necessary rights under paragraph 123(3); or

• (ii) exercising any compulsory purchase powers in the Order transferred to or benefitting National Gas;

• (b) in connection with the cost of the carrying out of any diversion work or the provision of any alternative apparatus, where no written diversion agreement is otherwise in place;

• (c) the cutting off of any apparatus from any other apparatus or the making safe of redundant apparatus;

• (d) the approval of plans;

• (e) the carrying out of protective works, plus a capitalised sum to cover the cost of maintaining and renewing permanent protective works; and/or

• (f) the survey of any land, apparatus or works, the inspection and monitoring of works or the installation or removal of any temporary works reasonably necessary in consequence of the execution of any such works referred to in this Part of this Schedule.

• (2) There will 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 and which is not re-used as part of the alternative apparatus, 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 situated,

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 paragraph 131 (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 National Gas by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) will be reduced by the amount of that excess save to the extent that it is not possible in the circumstances to obtain the existing type of apparatus at the same capacity and dimensions or place at the existing depth in which case full costs will be borne by the undertaker.

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

• (a) an extension of apparatus to a length greater than the length of existing apparatus will not be treated as a placing of apparatus of greater dimensions than those of the existing apparatus; and

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

• (5) Any amount which apart from this sub-paragraph would be payable to National Gas in respect of works by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) will, 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 National Gas any financial benefit by deferment of the time for renewal of the apparatus in the ordinary course, be reduced by the amount which represents that benefit.

Indemnity

127

• (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), if by reason or in consequence of the construction of any works authorised by this Part of this Schedule or in consequence of the construction, use maintenance or failure of any of the authorised works by or on behalf of the undertaker or in consequence of any act or default of the undertaker (or any person employed or authorised by him) in the course of carrying out such works, including without limitation works carried out by the undertaker under this Part of this Schedule or any subsidence resulting from any of these works, any damage is caused to any apparatus or alternative apparatus (other than apparatus the repair of which is not reasonably necessary in view of its intended removal for the purposes of the authorised works) or property of National Gas, or there is any interruption in any service provided, or in the supply of any goods or energy, by National Gas, or National Gas becomes liable to pay any amount to any third party, the undertaker will—

• (a) bear and pay on demand accompanied by an invoice or claim from National Gas the cost reasonably and properly incurred by National Gas in making good such damage or restoring the supply; and

• (b) indemnify National Gas for any other expenses, loss, demands, proceedings, damages, claims, penalty or costs incurred by or recovered from National Gas, by reason or in consequence of any such damage or interruption or National Gas becoming liable to any third party and including Network Code Claims other than arising from any default of National Gas.

• (2) The fact that any act or thing may have been done by National Gas on behalf of the undertaker or in accordance with a plan approved by National Gas or in accordance with any requirement of National Gas or under its supervision will not (unless sub-paragraph (3) applies), excuse the undertaker from liability under the provisions of this sub-paragraph (2) unless National Gas fails to carry out and execute the works properly with due care and attention and in a skilful and workman like manner or in a manner that does not accord with the approved plan.

• (3) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) shall impose any liability on the undertaker in respect of—

• (a) any damage or interruption to the extent that it is attributable to the neglect or default of National Gas, its officers, servants, contractors or agents;

• (b) any authorised works and/or any other works authorised by this Part of this Schedule carried out by National Gas as an assignee, transferee or lessee of the undertaker with the benefit of the Order pursuant to section 156 of the Planning Act 2008 or article 35 (consent to transfer the benefit of the Order) subject to the proviso that once such works become apparatus (“new apparatus”), any authorised works yet to be executed and not falling within this sub-paragraph 127(3)(b) will be subject to the full terms of this Part of this Schedule including this paragraph 127; and/or

• (c) any indirect or consequential loss of any third party (including but not limited to loss of use, revenue, profit, contract, production, increased cost of working or business interruption) arising from any such damage or interruption, which is not reasonably foreseeable.

• (4) National Gas must give the undertaker reasonable notice of any such third party claim or demand and no settlement, admission of liability or compromise must, unless payment is required in connection with a statutory compensation scheme, be made without first consulting the undertaker and considering their representations.

• (5) National Gas must, in respect of any matter covered by the indemnity given by the undertaker in this paragraph, at all times act reasonably and in the same manner as it would as if settling third party claims on its own behalf from its own funds.

• (6) National Gas must use its reasonable endeavours to mitigate and to minimise any costs, expenses, loss, demands, and penalties to which the indemnity under this paragraph applies where it is within National Gas’s reasonable ability and control to do so and which expressly excludes any obligation to mitigate liability arising from third parties which is outside of National Gas’s control and if reasonably requested to do so by the undertaker National Gas must provide an explanation of how the claim has been minimised, where relevant.

• (7) Not to commence construction (and not to permit the commencement of such construction) of the authorised works on any land owned by National Gas or in respect of which National Gas has an easement or wayleave for its apparatus or any other interest or to carry out any works within 15 metres of National Gas’ apparatus until the following conditions are satisfied:

• (a) unless and until National Gas is satisfied acting reasonably (but subject to all necessary regulatory constraints) that the undertaker has first provided the acceptable security (and provided evidence that it shall maintain such acceptable security for the construction period of the authorised works referred to in sub-paragraph (7) from the proposed date of commencement of construction of those works) and National Gas has confirmed the same to the undertaker in writing; and

• (b) unless and until National Gas is satisfied acting reasonably (but subject to all necessary regulatory constraints) that the undertaker has procured acceptable insurance (and provided evidence to National Gas that it shall maintain such acceptable insurance for the construction period of the authorised works referred to in sub-paragraph 127(7) from the proposed date of commencement of construction of those works) and National Gas has confirmed the same in writing to the undertaker.

• (8) In the event that the undertaker fails to comply with paragraph 127(7) of this Part of this Schedule, nothing in this Part of this Schedule shall prevent National Gas from seeking injunctive relief (or any other equitable remedy) in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Enactments and agreements

128

Save to the extent provided for to the contrary elsewhere in this Part of this Schedule or by agreement in writing between National Gas and the undertaker, nothing in this Part of this Schedule affects the provisions of any enactment or agreement regulating the relations between the undertaker and National Gas in respect of any apparatus laid or erected in land belonging to the undertaker on the date on which this Order is made.

Co-operation

129

• (1) Where in consequence of the proposed construction of any part of the authorised works, the undertaker or National Gas requires the removal of apparatus under paragraph 123(2) or National Gas makes requirements for the protection or alteration of apparatus under paragraph 125, the undertaker shall use its best endeavours to co-ordinate the execution of the works in the interests of safety and the efficient and economic execution of the authorised works and taking into account the need to ensure the safe and efficient operation of National Gas’s undertaking and National Gas shall use its best endeavours to co-operate with the undertaker for that purpose.

• (2) For the avoidance of doubt whenever National Gas’s consent, agreement or approval is required in relation to plans, documents or other information submitted by the undertaker or the taking of action by the undertaker, it must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Access

130

If in consequence of the agreement reached in accordance with paragraph 122(1) or the powers granted under this Order the access to any apparatus is materially obstructed, the undertaker must provide such alternative means of access to such apparatus as will enable National Gas to maintain or use the apparatus no less effectively than was possible before such obstruction.

Arbitration

131

Save for differences or disputes arising under paragraph 123(2), 123(4), 124(1) and 125 any difference or dispute arising between the undertaker and National Gas under this Part of this Schedule must, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the undertaker and National Gas, be determined by arbitration in accordance with article 42 (arbitration).

Notices

132

Notwithstanding article 45 (service of notices), any plans submitted to National Gas by the undertaker pursuant to paragraph 125 must be submitted to https://lsbud.co.uk/ or such other address as National Gas may from time to time appoint instead for that purpose and notify to the undertaker in writing.

SCHEDULE 15 — NOT USED

1

Not used.

SCHEDULE 16 — PROCEDURE FOR DISCHARGE OF REQUIREMENTS

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

• “requirement consultee” means any body or authority named in a requirement as a body to be consulted by the relevant planning authority in discharging that requirement;

• “start date” means the date of the notification given by the Secretary of State under paragraph 4(2)(b); and

• “working day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or English bank or public holiday.

Applications made under requirement

2

• (1) Where an application has been made to the relevant planning authority for any consent, agreement or approval required by a requirement, the undertaker will also submit a copy of that application to any requirement consultee.

• (2) Where an application has been made to the relevant planning authority for any consent, agreement or approval required by a requirement the relevant planning authority must give notice to the undertaker of its decision on the application within a period of eight weeks beginning with the later of—

• (a) the day immediately following that on which the application is received by the authority;

• (b) the day immediately following that on which further information has been supplied by the undertaker under paragraph 3; or

• (c) such longer period that is agreed in writing by the undertaker and the relevant planning authority.

• (3) Subject to paragraph 4, in the event that the relevant planning authority does not determine an application within the period set out in sub-paragraph (2), the relevant planning authority is to be taken to have granted all parts of the application (without any condition or qualification) at the end of that period.

• (4) Any application made to the relevant planning authority pursuant to sub-paragraph (2) must include a statement to confirm whether it is likely that the subject matter of the application will give rise to any materially new or materially different environmental effects compared to those in the environmental statement and if it will then it must be accompanied by information setting out what those effects are.

• (5) Where an application has been made to the relevant planning authority for any consent, agreement or approval required by a requirement included in this Order and the relevant planning authority does not determine the application within the period set out in sub-paragraph (2) and is accompanied by a report pursuant to sub-paragraph (4) which states that the subject matter of such application is likely to give rise to any materially new or materially different environmental effects compared to those in the environmental statement then the application is to be taken to have been refused by the relevant planning authority at the end of that period.

Further information and consultation

3

• (1) In relation to any application to which this Schedule applies, the relevant planning authority may request such reasonable further information from the undertaker as is necessary to enable it to consider the application.

• (2) In the event that the relevant planning authority considers such further information to be necessary and the provision governing or requiring the application does not specify that consultation with a requirement consultee is required, the relevant planning authority must, within 20 working days of receipt of the application, notify the undertaker in writing specifying the further information required.

• (3) If the provision governing or requiring the application specifies that consultation with a requirement consultee is required, the relevant planning authority must issue the consultation to the requirement consultee within 10 working days of receipt of the application, and must notify the undertaker in writing specifying any further information the relevant planning authority considers necessary or that is requested by the requirement consultee within 10 working days of receipt of such a request and in any event within 20 working days of receipt of the application (or such other period as is agreed in writing between the undertaker and the relevant planning authority).

• (4) In the event that the relevant planning authority does not give notification as specified in sub-paragraph (2) or (3) it is deemed to have sufficient information to consider the application and is not thereafter entitled to request further information without the prior agreement of the undertaker.

• (5) Where further information is requested under this paragraph in relation to part only of an application, that part is to be treated as separate from the remainder of the application for the purposes of calculating time periods in paragraph 2 and paragraph 3.

Appeals

4

• (1) The undertaker may appeal in the event that—

• (a) the relevant planning authority refuses an application for any consent, agreement or approval required by a requirement included in this Order or grants it subject to conditions;

• (b) the relevant planning authority is deemed to have refused an application pursuant to paragraph 2(5);

• (c) on receipt of a request for further information pursuant to paragraph 3 the undertaker considers that either the whole or part of the specified information requested by the relevant planning authority is not necessary for consideration of the application; or

• (d) on receipt of any further information requested, the relevant planning authority notifies the undertaker that the information provided is inadequate and requests additional information which the undertaker considers is not necessary for consideration of the application.

• (2) The steps to be followed in the appeal process are as follows—

• (a) the undertaker must submit the appeal documentation to the Secretary of State and must on the same day provide copies of the appeal documentation to the relevant planning authority and any requirement consultee;

• (b) the Secretary of State must appoint a person to determine the appeal as soon as reasonably practicable and must forthwith notify the appeal parties of the identity of the appointed person and the address to which all correspondence for the appointed person’s attention should be sent;

• (c) the relevant planning authority and any requirement consultee must submit written representations to the appointed person in respect of the appeal within 10 working days of the start date and must ensure that copies of their written representations are sent to each other and to the undertaker on the day on which they are submitted to the appointed person;

• (d) the undertaker may make any counter-submissions to the appointed person within 10 working days of receipt of written representations pursuant to sub-paragraph (c);

• (e) the appointed person must make their decision and notify it to the appeal parties, with reasons, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 30 working days of the deadline for the receipt of counter-submissions pursuant to sub-paragraph (d); and

• (f) the appointment of the person pursuant to sub-paragraph (b) may be undertaken by a person appointed by the Secretary of State for this purpose instead of by the Secretary of State.

• (3) In the event that the appointed person considers that further information is necessary to enable the appointed person to consider the appeal they must, within five working days of the appointed person’s appointment, notify the appeal parties in writing specifying the further information required.

• (4) Any further information required pursuant to sub-paragraph (3) must be provided by the relevant party to the appointed person and the other appeal parties on the date specified by the appointed person (the “specified date”), and the appointed person must notify the appeal parties of the revised timetable for the appeal on or before that day. The revised timetable for the appeal must require submission of written representations to the appointed person within 10 working days of the specified date, but otherwise the process and time limits set out in sub-paragraphs (c) to (2)(e) of sub-paragraph (2) apply.

• (5) The appointed person may—

• (a) allow or dismiss the appeal; or

• (b) reverse or vary any part of the decision of the relevant planning authority (whether the appeal relates to that part of it or not),

and may deal with the application as if it had been made to them in the first instance.

• (6) The appointed person may proceed to a decision on an appeal taking into account only such written representations as have been sent within the relevant time limits.

• (7) The appointed person may proceed to a decision even though no written representations have been made within the relevant time limits, if it appears to them that there is sufficient material to enable a decision to be made on the merits of the case.

• (8) The decision of the appointed person on an appeal is to be final and binding on the parties, unless proceedings are brought by a claim for judicial review.

• (9) If an approval is given by the appointed person pursuant to this Schedule, it is to be deemed to be an approval for the purpose of Schedule 2 (requirements) as if it had been given by the relevant planning authority. The relevant planning authority may confirm any determination given by the appointed person in identical form in writing but a failure to give such confirmation (or a failure to give it in identical form) is not to be taken to affect or invalidate the effect of the appointed person’s determination.

• (10) Save where a direction is given pursuant to sub-paragraph (11) requiring the costs of the appointed person to be paid by the relevant planning authority, the reasonable costs of the appointed person must be met by the undertaker.

• (11) On application by the relevant planning authority or the undertaker, the appointed person may give directions as to the costs of the appeal parties and as to the parties by whom the costs of the appeal are to be paid. In considering whether to make any such direction and the terms on which it is to be made, the appointed person must have regard to advice on planning appeals and award costs published in Planning Practice Guidance: Appeals (March 2014) or any circular or guidance which may from time to time replace it.

Fees

5

• (1) Where an application is made to the relevant planning authority for written consent, agreement or approval in respect of a requirement, the fee prescribed under regulation 16(1)(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012⁷⁴ (as may be amended or replaced from time to time)) is to apply and must be paid to the relevant planning authority for each application.

• (2) Any fee paid under this Schedule must be refunded to the undertaker within four weeks of—

• (a) the application being rejected as invalidly made; or

• (b) the relevant planning authority failing to determine the application within the relevant period in paragraph 2(2) unless—

• (i) within that period the undertaker agrees, in writing, that the fee is to be retained by the relevant planning authority and credited in respect of a future application; or

• (ii) a longer period of time for determining the application has been agreed pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of this Schedule, as applicable.

Signed

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

David Wagstaff — Deputy Director For Energy Infrastructure Planning — Department for Energy Security and Net Zero — 9th May 2025

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order authorises East Yorkshire Solar Farm Limited (company number 14103404) (referred to in this Order as the undertaker) to construct, operate, maintain and decommission a ground mounted solar photovoltaic generating station with a gross electrical output capacity over 50 megawatts and associated development. The Order would permit the undertaker to acquire, compulsorily or by agreement, land and rights in land and to use land for this purpose.

A copy of the Order plans and the book of reference mentioned in the Order and certified in accordance with article 40 (certification of plans and documents, etc.) of this Order may be inspected free of charge during working hours at East Riding of Yorkshire Council at County Hall, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 9BA.

Footnotes

Application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act

Editorial notes