2026 No. 869
Infrastructure Planning
The Peartree Hill Solar Farm Order 2026
Made
2nd July 2026
Coming into force
23rd July 2026
An application has been made to the Secretary of State under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act”) in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 for an Order granting development consent.
The application was examined by the Examining Authority appointed by the Secretary of State pursuant to chapter 2 of Part 6 of the 2008 Act and carried out in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010.
The Examining Authority, having considered the application together with the documents that accompanied it, and the representations made and not withdrawn, has, in accordance with section 74(2) of the 2008 Act, made a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State has considered the report and recommendation of the Examining Authority, has taken into account the environmental information in accordance with regulation 4 of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and has had regard to the documents and matters referred to in section 104(2) of the 2008 Act.
The Secretary of State, having decided the application, has determined to make an Order granting development consent for the development described in the application on terms that in the opinion of the Secretary of State are not materially different from those proposed in the application.
The Secretary of State is satisfied that the special category land within the Order land, when burdened with the new rights or the imposition of a restrictive covenant as authorised for compulsory acquisition under the terms of this Order, will be no less advantageous than it was before such acquisition, to the persons whom it is vested, other persons, if any, entitled to rights of common or other rights, and the public, and that, accordingly, section 132(3) of the 2008 Act applies.
The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 114, 115, 120, 122, 123, 132 and 140 of the 2008 Act makes the following Order.
(1) In this Order—
“the 1961 Act” means the Land Compensation Act 1961;
“the 1965 Act” means the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965;
“the 1980 Act” means the Highways Act 1980;
“the 1981 Act” means the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981;
“the 1984 Act” means the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;
“the 1989 Act” means the Electricity Act 1989;
“the 1990 Act” means the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;
“the 1991 Act” means the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991;
“the 2008 Act” means the Planning Act 2008;
“apparatus” has the same meaning as in section 105(1) (minor definitions) of the 1991 Act; except that, unless otherwise provided, it further includes pipelines (and parts of them), aerial markers, cathodic protection test posts, field boundary markers, transformer rectifier kiosks, electricity cables, telecommunications equipment and electricity cabinets;
“authorised development” means the development described in Schedule 1 (authorised development) and any other development authorised by this Order, or any part of it, which is development within the meaning of section 32 (meaning of “development”) of the 2008 Act;
“battery energy storage system” means batteries and equipment for the storage of electrical energy;
“book of reference” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“building” includes any structure or erection or any part of a building, structure or erection;
“business day” means a day other than Saturday or Sunday, which is not Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday under section 1 (bank holidays) of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971;
“commence” means beginning to carry out any material operation, as defined in section 155 (when development begins) of the 2008 Act, comprised in or carried out for the purposes of the authorised development other than the permitted preliminary works (except where stated to the contrary) and “commencement”, “commenced” and cognate expressions are to be construed accordingly;
“Crown land plans” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“date of decommissioning” means in respect of each part of the authorised development, the date that that part of the authorised development has permanently ceased to generate electricity on a commercial basis;
“date of final commissioning” means the date on which the authorised development commences operation by generating electricity on a commercial basis but excluding the generation of electricity during commissioning and testing;
“electronic transmission” means a communication transmitted—
by means of an electronic communications network; or
by other means but while in electronic form;
“environmental statement” means the environmental statement referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State as the environmental statement for the purposes of this Order;
“footpath” and “footway” have the same meaning as in the 1980 Act;
“highway” and “highway authority” have the same meaning as in the 1980 Act;
“land plans” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“local planning authority” means the local planning authority (as defined in section 336 of the 1990 Act) for the area to which the provision relates;;
“the location and land area plan” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“maintain” includes inspect, repair, adjust, alter, remove, refurbish, replace, improve or reconstruct any part of, but not remove, reconstruct or replace the whole of, the authorised development provided that such works do not give rise to any materially new or materially different environmental effects in comparison to those reported in the environmental statement; and any derivative of “maintain” is to be construed accordingly;
“the Order land” means the land shown on the land plans which is within the limits of land to be acquired or used and described in the book of reference;
“the Order limits” means the limits shown on the land plans and works plans within which the authorised development may be carried out and land acquired or used;
“permitted preliminary works” means all or any of—
preconstruction ecological mitigation (including advanced planting to allow for an early establishment of protective screening);
environmental surveys and monitoring, geotechnical surveys, intrusive archaeological surveys (including trenching) and other investigations for the purpose of assessing ground conditions (including the making of boreholes);
removal of plant and machinery;
above ground site preparation for temporary facilities for the use of contractors;
remedial work in respect of any contamination or other adverse ground conditions;
diversion and laying of apparatus;
receipt and erection of construction plant and equipment;
the provision of temporary means of enclosure and site security for construction;
the temporary display of site notices or advertisements; or
site clearance (including vegetation removal, demolition of existing buildings and structures);
“requirements” means those matters set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 (requirements) to this Order;
“special category land plans” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“street” means a street within the meaning of section 48 (streets, street works and undertakers) of the 1991 Act, together with land on the verge of a street or between two carriageways, and includes any footpath or part of a street and any reference to a road is to be construed as a “street”;
“street authority”, in relation to a street, has the same meaning as in Part 3 (street works in England and Wales) of the 1991 Act;
“streets, rights of way and access plan” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“traffic authority” has the same meaning as in section 121A (traffic authorities) of the 1984 Act;
“traffic measures plan” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State;
“tree preservation order and hedgerow plans” mean the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State. Any reference in this Order to a “tree preservation order” is also taken to be a reference to this document;
“undertaker” means RWE Renewables UK Solar and Storage Limited (company number 14539260) whose registered address is Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 6PB;
“watercourse” has the meaning given in the Land Drainage Act 1991; and
“works plans” means the document of that description referenced in Schedule 13 (documents to be certified) and certified by the Secretary of State.
(2) References in this Order to rights over land include references to rights to do or restrain or to place and maintain, anything in, on or under land or in the airspace above its surface and references in this Order to the imposition of restrictive covenants are references to the creation of rights over the land which interfere with the interests or rights of another and are for the benefit of land which is acquired under this Order or which is an interest otherwise comprised in the Order land.
(3) All distances, directions, capacities and lengths referred to in this Order are approximate and distances between points on a work comprised in the authorised development are to be taken to be measured along that work.
(4) All areas described in square metres in the book of reference are approximate.
(5) References in this Order to points identified by letters or numbers are to be construed as references to points so lettered or numbered on the plans to which the reference applies.
(6) References in this Order to numbered works are references to the works numbered in Schedule 1 (authorised development).
(7) References to any statutory body in this Order includes that body’s successor bodies from time to time.
Subject to the provisions of this Order and the requirements in Schedule 2 (requirements), the undertaker is granted development consent for the authorised development to be carried out within the Order limits.
(1) The undertaker is authorised to use and operate the generating station comprised in the authorised development.
(2) This article does not relieve the undertaker of any requirement to obtain any permit or licence under any other legislation that may be required from time to time to authorise the operation of an electricity generation station.
(1) The undertaker may at any time maintain the authorised development, except to the extent that this Order or an agreement made under this Order provides otherwise.
(2) This article only authorises the carrying out of maintenance works within the Order limits.
(3) This article does not authorise the carrying out of any works which are likely to give rise to any materially new or materially different effects that have not been assessed in the environmental statement.
(1) Subject to paragraph (3) the undertaker may with the written consent of the Secretary of State—
(a) transfer to another person (“the transferee”) all or any part of the benefit of the provisions of this Order) and such related statutory rights as may be agreed between the undertaker and the transferee; and
(b) grant to another person (“the lessee”), for a period agreed between the undertaker and the lessee, all or any part of the benefit of the provisions of this Order and such related statutory rights as may be so agreed.
(2) Subject to paragraph (8), where a transfer or grant has been made in accordance with paragraph (1) references in this Order to the undertaker includes references to the transferee or the lessee.
(3) The consent of the Secretary of State is required for the exercise of the powers under paragraph (1) except where—
(a) the transferee or lessee holds a licence under section 6 (licences authorising supply, etc.) of the 1989 Act;
(b) the time limits for all 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 claims that have been made have all been compromised or withdrawn;
(iii) compensation has been paid in final settlement of any claims made;
(iv) payment of compensation into court in lieu of settlement of all such claims has taken place; or
(v) it has been determined by a tribunal or court of competent jurisdiction in respect of all claims that no compensation is payable; or
(c) the transfer or grant relates to Work Nos 4A, 4B and 6 for the purpose of undertaking all or any of those Works and is made to Northern Powergrid Holding Company (company registration number 03476201) whose registered office is at Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6AF.
(4) Where the consent of the Secretary of State is not required under paragraph (3), the undertaker must notify the Secretary of State in writing before transferring or granting all or any part of the benefit referred to in paragraph (1).
(5) The notification referred to in paragraph (4) must—
(a) state—
(i) the name and contact details of the person to whom the benefit of the powers will be transferred or granted;
(ii) subject to paragraph (6), the date on which the transfer will take effect;
(iii) the powers to be transferred or granted; and
(iv) in accordance with paragraph (8), the restrictions, liabilities and obligations that will apply to the person exercising the powers transferred or granted; and
(b) where relevant, be accompanied by a plan showing the works or areas to which the transfer or grant relates.
(6) The date specified under paragraph (5)(a)(ii) must not be earlier than the expiry of ten business days from the date of the receipt of the notification.
(7) The notification given under paragraph (4) 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 notification.
(8) Where the undertaker has transferred any benefit, or for the duration of any period during which the undertaker has granted any benefit—
(a) the benefit transferred or granted (“the transferred benefit”) must include 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 will reside exclusively with the transferee or, as the case may be, the lessee and the transferred benefit will not be enforceable against the undertaker; and
(c) the exercise by a person of any benefits or rights conferred in accordance with any transfer or grant is subject to the same restrictions, liabilities and obligations as would apply under this Order if those benefits or rights were exercised by the undertaker.
8 Disapplication and modification of legislative provisions
(1) The following provisions do not apply in relation to the construction of any work or the carrying out of any operation required for the purpose of, or in connection with, the construction, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of any part of the authorised development—
(a) sections 23 (prohibition of obstructions, etc. in watercourses), 30 (authorisation of drainage works in connection with a ditch) and 32 (variation of awards) of the Land Drainage Act 1991;
(b) the provisions of any byelaws made under section 66 (powers to make byelaws) of the Land Drainage Act 1991;
(c) the provisions of any byelaws made under, or having effect as if made under, paragraphs 5, 6 or 6A of Schedule 25 (byelaw making powers of the appropriate agency) to the Water Resources Act 1991;
(d) the provisions of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017, insofar as they relate to temporary possession of land under article 31 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development) and article 32 (temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development) of this Order;
(e) regulation 12 (requirement for environmental permit) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 in respect of a flood risk activity only; and
(f) the local enactments and local byelaws listed in Schedule 3 (legislation to be disapplied), and any byelaws or other provisions made under any of those enactments or byelaws, insofar as the provisions are inconsistent with a provision, of or a power conferred by, this Order.
(2) For the purposes of section 9 (requirement of licence for felling) of the Forestry Act 1967 any felling comprised in the carrying out of any work or operation required for the purposes of, or in connection with, the construction of the authorised development is deemed to be immediately required for the purpose of carrying out development authorised by planning permission granted under the 1990 Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 208 (liability) of the 2008 Act, for the purposes of regulation 6 (meaning of “development”) of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 any building comprised in the authorised development is deemed to be—
(a) a building into which people do not normally go; or
(b) a building into which people go only intermittently for the purpose of inspecting or maintaining fixed plant or machinery.
9 Defence to proceedings in respect of statutory nuisance
(1) Where proceedings are brought under section 82(1) (summary proceedings by a person aggrieved by statutory nuisance) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to a nuisance falling within paragraph (d) or (g) of section 79(1) of that Act no order is to be made, and no fine may be imposed, under section 82(2) of that Act if the defendant shows that the nuisance—
(a) relates to premises used by the undertaker for the purposes of or in connection with the construction, maintenance or decommissioning of the authorised development and that the nuisance is attributable to the carrying out of the authorised development in accordance with a notice served under section 60 (control of noise on construction site), or a consent given under section 61 (prior consent for work on construction site) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; or
(b) is a consequence of the construction, maintenance or decommissioning of the authorised development and that it cannot reasonably be avoided; or
(c) is a consequence of the use of the authorised development and that it cannot reasonably be avoided.
(2) Section 61(9) (prior consent for work on construction sites) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 does not apply where the consent relates to the use of premises by the undertaker for purposes of, or, in connection with, the construction, maintenance or decommissioning of the authorised development.
(1) The undertaker may for the purposes of the authorised development, enter on so much of any of the streets as are within the Order limits and may—
(a) break up or open the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it;
(b) drill, tunnel or bore under the street;
(c) place and keep apparatus under the street;
(d) maintain apparatus in the street, change its position or remove it;
(e) repair, replace or otherwise alter the surface or structure of the street or any culvert under the street; and
(f) execute any works required for or incidental to any works referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).
(2) The authority given by paragraph (1) is a statutory right for the purposes of sections 48(3) (streets, street works and undertakers) and 51(1) (prohibition of unauthorised street works) of the 1991 Act.
(3) Notwithstanding article 11 (application of the 1991 Act) the provisions of sections 54 (notice of certain works) to 106 (index of defined expressions) of the 1991 Act apply to any street works carried out under paragraph (1).
(4) The powers conferred by paragraph (1) must not be exercised without prior written consent of the street authority.
(5) If a street authority which receives an application for consent under paragraph (4) fails to notify the undertaker of its decision before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the application was made, it is deemed to have granted consent.
(6) For deemed consent under paragraph (5) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (4), the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (5) apply to that application
(7) If an application for consent under paragraph (4) does not include the statement required under paragraph (6), then the provisions of paragraph (5) will not apply to that application.
(1) Works executed under this Order in relation to a highway, which consists of or includes a carriageway are to be treated for the purposes of Part 3 (street works in England and Wales) of the 1991 Act as major highway works if—
(a) they are of a description mentioned in any of paragraphs (a), (c) to (e), (g) and (h) of section 86(3) (highway authorities, highways and related works) of that Act; or
(b) they are works which, had they been executed by the highway authority, might have been carried out in exercise of the powers conferred by section 64 (dual carriageways and roundabouts) of the 1980 Act or section 184 (vehicle crossings over footways and verges) of that Act.
(2) In Part 3 (street works in England and Wales) of the 1991 Act, in relation to works which are major highway works by virtue of paragraph (1), references to the highway authority concerned are to be construed as references to the undertaker.
(3) The following provisions of the 1991 Act do not apply in relation to any works executed under the powers conferred by this Order —
(a) section 56 (power to give directions as to timing);
(b) section 56A (power to give directions as to placing of apparatus);
(c) section 58 (restrictions following substantial road works);
(d) section 58A (restriction on works following substantial street works;
(e) section 73A power to require undertaker to re-surface street);
(f) section 73B (power to specify timing etc. of re-surfacing);
(g) section 73C(materials, workmanship and standard of re-surfacing);
(h) section 78A(contributions to costs of re-surfacing by undertaker); and
(i) Schedule 3A (restriction on works following substantial street works).
(4) The provisions of the 1991 Act mentioned in paragraph (5) (which together with other provisions of that Act, apply in relation to the execution of street works) and any regulations made, or code of practice issued or approved under, those provisions apply (with the necessary modifications) in relation to any closure, alteration or diversion of a street of a temporary nature by the undertaker under the powers conferred by article 14 (temporary closure of streets and public rights of way), whether or not the closure, alteration or diversion constitutes street works within the meaning of that Act.
(5) The provisions of the 1991 Act referred to in paragraph (4) are—
(a) section 54 (advance notice of certain works) subject to paragraph (6);
(b) section 55 (notice of starting date of works subject to paragraph (6));
(c) section 57 (notice of emergency works);
(d) section 59 (general duty of street authority to co-ordinate works);
(e) section 60 (general duty of undertakers to co-operate);
(f) section 68 (facilities to be afforded to street authority);
(g) section 69 (works likely to affect other apparatus in the street);
(h) section 75 (inspection fees);
(i) section 76 (liability for cost of temporary traffic regulation);
(j) section 77 (liability for cost of use of alternative route); and
all such other provisions as apply for the purposes of the provisions mentioned above.
(6) Sections 54 and 55 of the 1991 Act as applied by paragraph (4) have effect as if references in section 57 of that Act to emergency works were a reference to a closure, alteration or diversion (as the case may be) required in a case of emergency.
(1) The undertaker may for the purposes of the authorised development, or in connection with the authorised development, alter the layout of or carry out any works in the streets specified in column (1) of Schedule 4 (alteration of streets) in the manner specified in relation to that street in column (2).
(2) Without prejudice to the specific powers conferred by paragraph (1), but subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the undertaker may, for the purposes of constructing, operating maintaining or decommissioning the authorised development, alter permanently or temporarily the layout of any street and, without limitation on the scope of this paragraph, the undertaker may—
(a) alter the level or increase the width of the carriageway by reducing the width of any kerb or verge within the street;
(b) alter the level or increase the width of any such kerb or verge;
(c) make and maintain passing places; and
(d) alter, remove, replace, install and relocate any street furniture, including bollards, lighting columns, road signs and chevron signs.
(3) The undertaker must restore any street that has been temporarily altered under this article to the reasonable satisfaction of the street authority.
(4) The powers conferred by paragraph (2) must not be exercised without the prior written consent of the street authority.
(5) Paragraphs (3) and (4) do not apply where the undertaker is the street authority for a street in which the works are being carried out.
(6) If a street authority which receives an application for consent under paragraph (4) fails to notify the undertaker of its decision before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the application was made, it is deemed to have granted consent.
(7) For deemed consent under paragraph (6) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (4), the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (6) apply to that application.
(8) If an application for consent under paragraph (4) does not include the statement required under paragraph (7), then the provisions of paragraph (6) will not apply to that application.
13 Construction and maintenance of altered streets
(1) The alterations to each of the streets specified in column (1) of the table in Schedule 4 (alteration of streets) to this Order must be completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the street authority and, unless otherwise agreed by the street authority, the alterations must be maintained by and at the expense of the undertaker for a period of 12 months from their completion and from the expiry of that period by and at the expense of the street authority.
(2) Those restoration works carried out in accordance with article 12(3) (power to alter layout, etc., of streets) must be completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the street authority and must be maintained by the undertaker for a period of 12 months from their completion and from the expiry of that period by and at the expense of the street authority.
(3) In any action against the undertaker in respect of loss or damage resulting from any failure by it to maintain a street under this article, it is a defence (without prejudice to any other defence or the application of the law relating to contributory negligence) to prove that the undertaker had taken such care as in all the circumstances was reasonably required to secure that the part of the street to which the action relates was not dangerous to traffic.
(4) For the purposes of a defence under paragraph (3), a court must in particular have regard to the following matters—
(a) the character of the street including the traffic which was reasonably to be expected to use it;
(b) the standard of maintenance appropriate for a street of that character and used by such traffic;
(c) the state of repair in which a reasonable person would have expected to find the street;
(d) whether the undertaker knew, or could reasonably have been expected to know, that the condition of the part of the street to which the action relates was likely to cause danger to users of the street; and
(e) where the undertaker could not reasonably have been expected to repair that part of the street before the cause of action arose, what warning notices of its condition had been displayed, but for the purposes of such a defence it is not relevant that the undertaker had arranged for a competent person to carry out or supervise the maintenance of that part of the street to which the action relates unless it is also proved that the undertaker had given that person proper instructions with regard to the maintenance of the street and that those instructions had been carried out.
14 Temporary closure or restriction of streets and public rights of way
(1) The undertaker may, for the purposes of, or in connection with, the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the authorised development, temporarily close, alter, divert or restrict the use by vehicles, or classes of vehicles, or pedestrians of—
(a) the streets set out in column (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 5 (streets and public rights of way to be temporarily closed or restricted) to the extent specified, by reference to the letters and numbers shown on the streets and access plan in column (1) of that Schedule; and
(b) the public rights of way set out in column (1) of Part 2 of Schedule 5 (streets and public rights of way to be temporarily closed or restricted) to the extent specified, by reference to the letters and numbers shown on the streets and access plan in column (1) of that Schedule.
(2) Without prejudice to the specific powers in paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (5) the undertaker, for the purposes of, or in connection with, the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the authorised development may temporarily close, alter, divert, prohibit the use of, authorise the use of or restrict the use of any street or public right of way and may for any reasonable time—
(a) divert the traffic or a class of traffic from the street or public right of way; and
(b) subject to paragraph (4), prevent all persons from passing along the street or public right of way.
(3) The undertaker may use any street temporarily closed, altered, diverted, prohibited or restricted under the powers conferred by this article within the Order limits as a temporary working site.
(4) The undertaker must provide reasonable access for pedestrians going to or from premises abutting a street or public right of way affected by the temporary closure, alteration, diversion or restriction of a street or public right of way under this article if there would otherwise be no such access.
(5) The undertaker must not temporarily close, alter, divert, prohibit the use of, authorise the use of, or restrict the use of—
(a) any street or public right of way referred to in paragraph (1) without first consulting the street authority; and
(b) any other street or public right of way without the consent of the street authority, which may attach reasonable conditions to the consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
(6) Any person who suffers loss by the suspension of any private right of way under this article is entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(7) The undertaker, during and for the purposes of carrying out the authorised development, may temporarily close, prohibit the use of, authorise the use of, restrict the use of, alter or divert any public right of way within the Order limits which is added to the definitive map and statement (within the meaning of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) on or after 6 January 2026.
(8) If a street authority which receives a valid application for consent under paragraph (5)(b) fails to notify the undertaker of its decision before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the application was made, it is deemed to have granted consent.
(9) For deemed consent under paragraph (8) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (5)(b) the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (8) apply to that application.
(10) If an application for consent under paragraph (5)(b) does not include the statement required under paragraph (9), then the provisions of paragraph (8) will not apply to that application.
(1) The undertaker may, for the purposes of the authorised development—
(a) form and lay out the permanent means of access, or improve existing means of access, in the locations specified in Schedule 6 (access to works); and
(b) with the consent of the street authority form and layout such other means of access, or improve existing means of access, at such locations within the Order limits.
(2) If the street authority which receives an application for consent under paragraph (1)(b) fails to notify the undertaker of its decision before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the application was made, it is deemed to have granted consent.
(3) For deemed consent under paragraph (2) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (1)(b), the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (2) apply to that application.
(4) If an application for consent under paragraph (1)(b) does not include the statement required under paragraph (3), then the provisions of paragraph (2) will not apply to that application.
(1) The undertaker may use any private road within the Order limits for the passage of persons or vehicles (with or without materials, plant and machinery) for the purposes of, or in connection with, the construction or maintenance of the authorised development.
(2) The undertaker must compensate the person liable for the repair of a road to which paragraph (1) applies for any loss or damage which that person may suffer by reason of the exercise of the power conferred by paragraph (1).
(3) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (2), or as to the amount of such compensation, is to be determined under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this article the undertaker may at any time, in the interests of safety and for the purposes of, or in connection with, the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of the authorised development—
(a) temporarily make provision for traffic signs and signals and use of bankspersons in respect of the lengths of road specified in Part 1 of Schedule 7 (traffic regulation measures) and the placing of any traffic signs and signals is deemed to have been permitted by the traffic authority for the purposes of section 65 (powers and duties of traffic authorities as to placing of traffic signs) of the 1984 Act and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016;
(b) temporarily make provision, in respect of the lengths of road specified in Part 2 of Schedule 7 (traffic regulation measures) imposing the temporary speed limit mentioned in column (2); and
(c) temporarily make provision, in respect of the lengths of road specific in Part 3 of Schedule 7 (traffic regulation measures) imposing the dedicated left turn regime in column (2).
(2) Subject to the provisions of this article and without limitation to the exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph (1), the undertaker may for the purposes of the construction, maintenance or decommissioning of the authorised development make temporary provision—
(a) as to the speed at which vehicles may proceed along any road;
(b) permitting, prohibiting or restricting the closing, waiting, loading or unloading of vehicles on any road;
(c) as to the prescribed routes for vehicular traffic or the direction or priority of vehicular traffic on any road;
(d) permitting or prohibiting or restricting the use by vehicular traffic or non-vehicular traffic of any road; and
(e) suspending or amending in whole or in part any order made, or having effect as if made, under the 1984 Act, either at all times or at times, on days or during such periods as may be reasonably specified by the undertaker.
(3) No speed limit imposed by or under this Order applies to vehicles falling within regulation 3(4) of the Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendments) Regulations 2011 when in accordance with regulation 3(5) of those regulations.
(4) Before exercising the power conferred by paragraph (2) the undertaker must—
(a) consult with the chief officer of police in whose area the road is situated; and
(b) obtain the written consent of the traffic authority, which consent must not be unreasonably withheld.
(5) The undertaker must not exercise the powers in paragraphs (1) or (2) unless it has—
(a) given not less than 28 days’ notice in writing of its intention to do so to the chief officer of police and to the traffic authority in whose area the road is situated;
(b) not less than seven days before the provision is to take effect published the undertaker’s intention to make the provision in one or more newspapers circulating in the area in which any road to which the provision relates is situated; and
(c) displayed a site notice containing the same information at each end of the length of road affected.
(6) Any provision made under the powers conferred by paragraphs (1) or (2) of this article may be suspended, varied or revoked by the undertaker from time to time by subsequent exercise of the powers conferred in paragraphs (1) or (2).
(7) Any provision made by the undertaker under paragraphs (1) or (2)—
(a) must be made by written instrument in such form as the undertaker considers appropriate;
(b) has effect as if duly made by the traffic authority in whose area the road is situated, as a traffic regulation order under the 1984 Act and the instrument by which it is effected may specify specific savings and exemptions to which the provision is subject; and
(c) is deemed to be a traffic order for the purposes of Schedule 7 (road traffic contraventions subject to civil enforcement) to the Traffic Management Act 2004.
(8) If the traffic authority fails to notify the undertaker of its decision within 28 days of receiving an application for consent under paragraph (4)(b) the traffic authority is deemed to have granted consent.
(9) For deemed consent under paragraph (8) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (4)(b), the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (8) apply to that application.
(10) If an application for consent under paragraph (4)(b) does not include the statement required under paragraph (9), then the provisions of paragraph (8) will not apply to that application.
(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3), (4) and (8) the undertaker may use any watercourse, public sewer or drain for the drainage of water in connection with the construction, maintenance or decommissioning of the authorised development and for that purpose may lay down, take up and alter pipes and may, on any land within the Order limits, make openings into, and connections with, the watercourse, public sewer or drain.
(2) Any dispute arising from the making of connections to or the use of a public sewer or drain by the undertaker under paragraph (1) is to be determined as if it were a dispute under section 106 (right to communicate with public sewers) of the Water Industry Act 1991.
(3) The undertaker must not discharge any water into any watercourse, public sewer or drain except with the consent of the person to whom it belongs, whose consent may be given subject to such terms and conditions as that person may reasonably impose, but must not be unreasonably withheld.
(4) The undertaker must not carry out any works to or make any opening into any public sewer or drain except—
(a) in accordance with plans approved by the person to whom the sewer or drain belongs, but such approval must not be unreasonably withheld; and
(b) where that person has been given the opportunity to supervise the making of the opening.
(5) The undertaker must take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that any water discharged into a watercourse or public sewer or drain under this article is as free as may be practicable from gravel, soil or other solid substance, oil or matter in suspension.
(6) The undertaker must not, in carrying out or maintaining works under this article, damage or interfere with the bed or banks of any watercourse forming part of a main river other than in accordance with a consent granted by the Environment Agency.
(7) This article does not authorise the entry into controlled waters of any matter whose entry or discharge into controlled waters requires a licence in accordance with the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
(8) In this article—
(a) “public sewer or drain” means a sewer or drain which belongs to Homes England, the Environment Agency, a harbour authority within the meaning of section 57 (interpretation) of the Harbours Act 1964, an internal drainage board, a joint planning board, a local authority, a National Park Authority, a sewerage undertaker or an urban development corporation; and
(b) other expressions, excluding watercourse, used both in this article and in the Water Resources Act 1991 have the same meaning as in that Act.
(9) If a person who receives an application for consent under paragraph (3) or approval under paragraph (4)(a) fails to notify the undertaker of a decision within 28 days of receiving an application that person will be deemed to have granted consent or given approval, as the case may be.
(10) For deemed consent under paragraph (9) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (3) or approval under paragraph (4)(a), the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (9) apply to that application.
(11) If an application for consent under paragraph (3) or approval under paragraph (4)(a) does not include the statement required under paragraph (10), then the provisions of paragraph (9) will not apply to that application.
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this article, the undertaker may at its own expense carry out such protective works to any building located within the Order limits or which may be affected by the authorised development as the undertaker considers necessary or expedient.
(2) Protective works may be carried out—
(a) at any time before or during the construction of any part of the authorised development in the vicinity of the building; or
(b) after the completion of that part of the authorised development in the vicinity of the building at any time up to the end of the period of five years beginning with the date of final commissioning of that part of the development; and
(c) to facilitate or during decommissioning any part of the authorised development in the vicinity of the building.
(3) For the purpose of determining how the powers under this article are to be exercised, the undertaker may enter and survey any building falling within paragraph (1) and any land within its curtilage.
(4) For the purpose of carrying out protective works under this article to a building, the undertaker may (subject to paragraphs (5) and (6))—
(a) enter the building and any land within its curtilage; and
(b) where the works cannot be carried out reasonably conveniently without entering land that is adjacent to the building but outside its curtilage, enter the adjacent land (but not any building erected on it) within the Order limits.
(5) Before exercising—
(a) a right under paragraph (1) to carry out protective works to a building;
(b) a right under paragraph (3) to enter a building and land within its curtilage;
(c) a right under paragraph (4)(a) to enter a building and land within its curtilage; or
(d) a right under paragraph (4)(b) to enter land,
the undertaker must, except in the case of emergency, serve on the owners and occupiers of the building or land not less than 14 days’ notice of its intention to exercise the power and, in a case falling within sub-paragraph (a), (c) or (d), specifying the protective works proposed to be carried out.
(6) Where a notice is served under paragraph (4)(a), (4)(b), (4)(c) or (4)(d) the owner or occupier of the building or land concerned may, by serving a counter-notice within the period of 10 days beginning with the day on which the notice was served, require the question of whether it is necessary or expedient to carry out the protective works or to enter the building or land to be referred to arbitration under article 44 (arbitration).
(7) The undertaker must compensate the owners and occupiers of any building or land in relation to which rights under this article have been exercised for any loss or damage arising to them by reason of the exercise of the rights.
(8) Where—
(a) protective works are carried out to a building under this article; and
(b) within the period of five years beginning with the date of final commissioning for that part of the authorised development in the vicinity of the building it appears that the protective works are inadequate to protect the building against damage caused by the construction or use of that part of the authorised development,
the undertaker must compensate the owners and occupiers of the building for any loss or damage sustained by them.
(9) Subject to article 48 (no double recovery) nothing in this article relieves the undertaker from any liability to pay compensation under section 102(2) (further provision as to compensation for injurious affection) of the 1965 Act.
(10) Any compensation payable under paragraph (7) or (8) must be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(11) In this article “protective works”, in relation to a building, means—
(a) underpinning, strengthening and any other works the purpose of which is to prevent damage that may be caused to the building by the construction, operation, maintenance, use or decommissioning of the authorised development; and
(b) any works the purpose of which is to remedy any damage that has been caused to the building by the construction, maintenance, use or decommissioning of the authorised development.
(12) Section 13 (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the entry onto, or possession of land under this article, to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.
(1) The undertaker may for the purposes of this Order enter on any land shown within the Order limits or which may be affected by the authorised development and—
(a) survey or investigate the land;
(b) without prejudice to the scope of sub-paragraph (a), make any excavation, trial holes, boreholes and other investigations in such positions on the land as the undertaker thinks fit to investigate the extent or the nature of the surface layer, subsoil and ground water and remove soil and water samples;
(c) without prejudice to the scope of sub-paragraph (a), carry out ecological or archaeological investigations on such land including making any excavations, trenches or trial holes on the land for such purposes; and
(d) place on, leave on and remove from the land apparatus for use in connection with the survey and investigation of land and making of trial holes, boreholes and trenches.
(2) No land may be entered or equipment placed or left on or removed from the land under paragraph (1) unless at least 14 days’ notice has been served on every owner and occupier of the land.
(3) Any person entering land under this article on behalf of the undertaker—
(a) must, if so required before or after entering the land, produce written evidence of their authority to do so; and
(b) may take onto the land such vehicles and equipment as are necessary to carry out the survey or investigation or to make the trial holes.
(4) No trial holes may be made under this article—
(a) in land located within the highway boundary without the consent of the highway authority; or
(b) in a private street without the consent of the street authority,
but such consent must not be unreasonably withheld.
(5) The undertaker must compensate the owners and occupiers of the land for any loss or damage arising by reason of the exercise of the authority conferred by this article, such compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(6) If either a highway authority or a street authority which receives an application for consent fails to notify the undertaker of its decision within 28 days of receiving the application for consent—
(a) under paragraph (4)(a) in the case of a highway authority; or
(b) under paragraph (4)(b) in the case of a street authority,
that authority will be deemed to have granted consent.
(7) For deemed consent under paragraph (6) to apply to any application for consent under paragraph (4)(a) or (4)(b), the application must include a statement that the provisions of paragraph (6) apply to that application.
(8) If an application for consent under paragraph (4)(a) or (4)(b) does not include the statement required under paragraph (7), then the provisions of paragraph (6) will not apply to that application.
(9) Section 13 (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the entry onto, or possession of land under this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.
(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of the Order land as is required for the authorised development or to facilitate, or is incidental, to it.
(2) This article is subject to—
(a) article 23 (time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily);
(b) article 24 (compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants);
(c) article 25 (private rights over land);
(d) article 26 (power to override easements and other rights);
(e) article 28 (acquisition of subsoil only);
(f) article 30 (rights under or over streets);
(g) article 31 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development);
(h) article 37 (crown rights); and
(i) article 46 and Schedule 11 (protective provisions).
22 Compulsory acquisition of land – incorporation of the mineral code
Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2 (minerals) to the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 are incorporated in this Order subject to the modifications that—
(a) paragraph 8(3) is not incorporated;
(b) for the “acquiring authority” substitute “the undertaker”; and
(c) for “undertaking” substitute “authorised development”.
23 Time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily
(1) After the end of the period of five years beginning on the day on which this Order is made—
(a) no notice to treat is to be served under Part 1 (compulsory purchase under Acquisition of Land Act 1946) of the 1965 Act; and
(b) no declaration is to be executed under section 4 (execution of declaration) of the 1981 Act as applied by article 27 (application of the 1981 Act).
(2) The authority conferred by article 31 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development) ceases at the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1), except that nothing in this paragraph prevents the undertaker remaining in possession of land after the end of that period, if the land was entered and possession was taken before the end of that period.
(3) The applicable period for the purposes of section 4 of the 1965 Act (time limit for giving notice to treat) and section 5A of the 1981 Act (time limit for general vesting declaration) (as modified by this Order) is the period of five years beginning on the day on which this Order is made.
24 Compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants
(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4) and article 31 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development), the undertaker may acquire such rights over the Order land, or impose restrictive covenants over the Order land, as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under article 21 (compulsory acquisition of land), by creating them as well as by acquiring rights already in existence.
(2) In the case of the Order land specified in column (1) of Schedule 8 (land in which only new rights etc. may be acquired) the undertaker’s powers of compulsory acquisition are limited to the acquisition of such new rights in the land and the imposition of such restrictive covenants as may be required for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (2) of that Schedule.
(3) Subject to section 8 (other provisions as to divided land) of and Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land) to the 1965 Act, as modified by Schedule 9 (modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for the creation of new rights and imposition of new restrictive covenants), where the undertaker acquires a right over land or the benefit of a restrictive covenant affecting land under paragraph (1) or (2), the undertaker is not required to acquire a greater interest in that land.
(4) Schedule 9 (modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for creation of new rights and imposition of new restrictive covenants) has effect for the purpose of modifying the enactments relating to compensation and the provisions of the 1965 Act in their application in relation to the compulsory acquisition under this article of a right over land by the creation of a new right or the imposition of a restrictive covenant.
(5) In any case where the acquisition of new rights of imposition of a restriction under paragraphs (1) or (2) is required for the purpose of diverting, replacing or protecting apparatus of a statutory undertaker, the undertaker may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, transfer the power to acquire such rights to the statutory undertaker in question.
(6) The exercise by a statutory undertaker of any power in accordance with a transfer under paragraph (5) is subject to the same restrictions, liabilities and obligations as would apply under this Order if that power were exercised by the undertaker.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights or restrictive covenants over land under article 21 (compulsory acquisition of land) are extinguished—
(a) as from the date of acquisition of the land by the undertaker, whether compulsorily or by agreement; or
(b) on the date of entry on the land by the undertaker under section 11(1) (powers of entry) of the 1965 Act.
whichever is the earliest.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights or restrictive covenants over land subject to the compulsory acquisition of rights or the imposition of restrictive covenants under article 24 (compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants) cease to have effect in so far as their continuance would be inconsistent with the exercise of the right or burden of the restrictive covenant—
(a) as from the date of the acquisition of the right or the benefit of the restrictive covenant by the undertaker whether compulsorily, by agreement or through the grant of a lease of the land by agreement; or
(b) on the date of entry on the land by the undertaker under section 11(1) (power of entry) of the 1965 Act.
whichever is the earliest.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights and restrictions over land owned by the undertaker that are within the Order land are extinguished at the start of any activity authorised by this Order which interferes with or breaches those rights Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights and restrictions over land of which the undertaker takes temporary possession under this Order are suspended and unenforceable, in so far as their continuance would be inconsistent with the purpose for which temporary possession is taken, for as long as the undertaker remains in lawful possession of the land.
(4) Any person who suffers loss by the extinguishment or suspension of any private right under this article is entitled to compensation in accordance with the terms of section 152 (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) of the 2008 Act to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(5) This article does not apply in relation to any right to which section 138 (extinguishment of rights, and removal of apparatus, of statutory undertakers etc.) of the 2008 Act or article 33 (statutory undertakers) applies.
(6) Paragraphs (1) to (3) have effect subject to—
(a) any notice given by the undertaker before—
(i) the completion of the acquisition of the land or the acquisition of the rights or the imposition of restrictive covenants over or affecting the land;
(ii) the undertaker’s appropriation of the land;
(iii) the undertaker’s entry onto the land; or
(iv) the undertaker’s taking temporary possession of the land,
that any or all of those paragraphs do not apply to any right specified in the notice; or
(b) any agreement made at any time between the undertaker and the person in or to whom the right in question is vested or belongs.
(7) If an agreement referred to in sub-paragraph (6)(b)—
(a) is made with a person in or to whom the right is vested or belongs; and
(b) is expressed to have effect also for the benefit of those deriving title from or under that person,
the agreement is effective in respect of the persons so deriving title, whether the title was derived before or after the making of the agreement.
(8) References in this article to private rights over land include any right of way, trust, incident, easement, liberty, privilege, right or advantage annexed to land and adversely affecting other land, including any natural right to support; and include restrictions as to the use of land arising by virtue of a contract, agreement or undertaking having that effect.
(1) Any authorised activity which takes place on land within the Order land (whether the activity is undertaken by the undertaker or by any person deriving title from the undertaker or by any contractors, servants or agents of the undertaker) is authorised by this Order if it is done in accordance with the terms of this Order, notwithstanding that it involves—
(a) an interference with an interest or right to which this article applies; or
(b) a breach of a restriction as to the user of land arising by virtue of a contract.
(2) The interests and rights to which this article applies include any easement, liberty, privilege, right or advantage annexed to land and adversely affecting other land, including any natural right to support and include restrictions as to the user of land arising by the virtue of a contract.
(3) Where an interest, right or restriction to which this article applies is interfered with or breached under paragraph (1), unless otherwise agreed, compensation—
(a) is payable under section 7 (measure of compensation in case of severance) or 10 (further provision as to compensation for injurious affection) of the 1965 Act; and
(b) is to be assessed in the same way and subject to the same rules as in the case of other compensation under those sections where—
(i) the compensation is to be estimated in connection with a purchase under that Act; or
(ii) the injury arises from the execution of works on or use of land acquired under that Act.
(4) Where a person deriving title under the undertaker by whom the land in question was acquired—
(a) is liable to pay compensation by virtue of paragraph (3); and
(b) fails to discharge that liability,
the liability is enforceable against the undertaker.
(5) Nothing in this article is to be construed as authorising any act or omission on the part of any person which is actionable at the suit of any person on any grounds other than such an interference or breach as is mentioned in paragraph (1) of this article.
(6) In this article “authorised activity” means—
(a) the erection, construction, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of any part of the authorised development;
(b) the exercise of any power authorised by this Order; or
(c) the use of any land within the Order limits (including the temporary use of land).
(1) The 1981 Act applies as if this Order were a compulsory purchase order.
(2) The 1981 Act, as applied by paragraph (1), has effect with the following modifications.
(3) In section 1 for subsection (2) substitute—
(2) This section applies to any Minister, any local or other public authority or any other body or person authorised to acquire land by means of a compulsory purchase order.
.
(4) In section 5 (earliest date for execution of declaration), in subsection (2), omit the words from “and this subsection” to the end.
(5) In section 5B (extension of time limit during challenge), in subsection (1), for “section 23 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (application to High Court in respect of compulsory purchase order)” substitute “section 118 (legal challenges relating to applications for orders granting development consent) of the 2008 Act.”.
(6) In section 6 (notices after execution of declaration), in subsection (1)(b) for “section 15 of, or paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981” substitute “section 134 (notice of authorisation of compulsory acquisition) of the Planning Act 2008”.
(7) In section 7 (constructive notice to treat), in subsection (1)(a), omit the words “(as modified by section 4 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981)”.
(8) In Schedule A1 (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in general vesting declaration), for paragraph 1(2) substitute—
(2) But see article 28(3) (acquisition of subsoil only) of the Peartree Hill Solar Farm Order 2026, which excludes the acquisition of subsoil only from this Schedule.
.
(9) References to the 1965 Act in the 1981 Act must be construed as references to the 1965 Act as applied by section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act (and as modified by article 29 (modification of Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965)) to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order.
(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of, or such rights in, the subsoil of the land referred to in paragraph (1) of article 21 (compulsory acquisition of land) or article 24 (compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants) as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under that provision instead of acquiring the whole of the land.
(2) Where the undertaker acquires any part of, or rights in, the subsoil of land under paragraph (1), the undertaker is not required to acquire an interest in any other part of the land.
(3) The following do not apply in connection with the exercise of the power under paragraph (1) in relation to subsoil only—
(a) Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in notice to treat) to the 1965 Act as modified by article 29 (modification of Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965);
(b) Schedule A1 (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in general vesting declaration) to the 1981 Act; and
(c) section 153(4A) (blighted land: proposed acquisition of part interest; material detriment test) of the 1990 Act.
(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be disregarded where the undertaker acquires a cellar, vault, arch or other construction forming part of a house, building or manufactory.
29 Modification of Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965
(1) Part 1 (compulsory acquisition under Acquisition of Land Act 1946) of the 1965 Act, as applied to this Order by section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act, is modified as follows.
(2) In section 4A(1) (extension of time limit during challenge) for “section 23 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (application to High Court in respect of compulsory purchase order)” substitute “section 118 of the 2008 Act (legal challenges relating to applications for orders granting development consent)”.
(3) In section 11A (powers of entry: further notice of entry)—
(a) in subsection (1)(a), after “land” insert “under that provision”; and
(b) in subsection (2), after “land” insert “under that provision”.
(4) In Schedule 2A (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in notice to treat)—
(a) for paragraphs 1(2) and 14(2) substitute—
(2) But see article 28(3) (acquisition of subsoil only) of the Peartree Hill Solar Farm Order 2026, which excludes the acquisition of subsoil only from this Schedule.
; and
(b) after paragraph 29 insert—
PART4 INTERPRETATION
30. In this Schedule, references to entering on and taking possession of land do not include doing so under article 19 (protective works to buildings), article 20 (authority to survey and investigate the land), article 31 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development) or article 32 (temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development) of the Peartree Hill Solar Farm Order 2026.
.
(1) The undertaker may enter on, appropriate and use so much of the subsoil of or air-space over any street within the Order limits as may be required for the purposes of the authorised development and may use the subsoil or airspace for those purposes or any other purpose ancillary to the authorised development.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the undertaker may exercise any power conferred by paragraph (1) in relation to a street without being required to acquire any part of the street or any easement or right in the street.
(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply in relation to—
(a) any subway or underground building; or
(b) any cellar, vault, arch or other construction in, on or under a street which forms part of a building fronting onto the street.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), any person who is an owner or occupier of land appropriated under paragraph (1) without the undertaker acquiring any part of that person’s interest in the land, and who suffers loss as a result, is entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(5) Compensation is not payable under paragraph (4) to any person who is an undertaker to whom section 85 (sharing cost of necessary measures) of the 1991 Act applies in respect of measures of which the allowable costs are to be borne in accordance with that section.
31 Temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the undertaker may, in connection with the carrying out of the authorised development—
(a) enter on and take temporary possession of—
(i) the land specified in column (1) of the table in Schedule 10 (land of which only temporary possession may be taken for carrying out the authorised development) for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (2) of the table in that Schedule; and
(ii) any other Order land in respect of which no notice of entry has been served under section 11 (powers of entry) of the 1965 Act and no declaration has been made under section 4 (execution of declaration) of the 1981 Act);
(b) remove any buildings, agricultural plant, apparatus, drainage, fences, landscaping, debris and vegetation from that land;
(c) construct temporary works (including the provision of means of access), haul roads, security fencing, bridges, structures and buildings on that land;
(d) use the land for the purposes of a temporary working site with access to the working site in connection with the authorised development;
(e) construct any works, on that land as are mentioned in Schedule 1 (authorised development); and
(f) carry out mitigation works required in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 2 (requirements).
(2) Not less than 28 days before entering on and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker must serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not authorise the undertaker to take temporary possession of—
(a) any house or garden belonging to a house;
(b) any building (other than a house) if it is for the time being occupied.
(4) The undertaker must not, without the agreement of the owners of the land, remain in possession of any land under this article for longer than is reasonably necessary and in any event—
(a) in the case of land specified in paragraph (1)(a)(i), after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of final commissioning of the part of the authorised development for which temporary possession of the land was taken; or
(b) in the case of land referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(ii), after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of final commissioning of the part of the authorised development for which temporary possession of the land was taken, unless the undertaker has, before the end of that period, served notice of entry under section 11 of the 1965 Act or made a declaration under section 4 of the 1981 Act.
(5) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker must remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land unless otherwise agreed but the undertaker is not required to—
(a) replace any building, structure, debris, drain or electric line removed under this article;
(b) remove any drainage works installed by the undertaker under this article;
(c) remove any new road surface or other improvements carried out under this article to any street;
(d) remove any ground strengthening works which have been placed on the land to facilitate construction of the authorised development;
(e) remove any fencing or boundary treatments installed by the undertaker under this article to replace or enhance existing fencing or boundary treatments; or
(f) restore the land on which any works have been carried out under paragraph (1)(f) insofar as the works relate to mitigation, compensation or enhancement works identified in the environmental statement or required under the requirements in Schedule 2 (requirements).
(6) The undertaker must pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the provisions of any power conferred by this article.
(7) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (6), or as to the amount of the compensation, must be determined under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(8) Any dispute as to the satisfactory removal of temporary works and restoration of land under paragraph (5) does not prevent the undertaker giving up possession of the land.
(9) Nothing in this article affects any liability to pay compensation under section 152 (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) of the 2008 Act or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the carrying out of the authorised development, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (6).
(10) The undertaker may not compulsorily acquire, acquire new rights over or impose restrictive covenants over, the land referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i) under this Order.
(11) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker is not required to acquire the land or any interest in it.
(12) Section 13 (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the temporary use of land under this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.
(13) Nothing in this article prevents the taking of temporary possession more than once in relation to any land under paragraph (1).
32 Temporary use of land for maintaining the authorised development
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), at any time during the maintenance period (as defined in paragraph (11)) relating to any part of the authorised development, the undertaker may—
(a) enter on and take temporary possession of any land within the Order land if possession is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development;
(b) enter on any land within the Order land for the purpose of gaining such access as is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development; and
(c) construct such temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on the land as may be reasonably necessary for that purpose.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not authorise the undertaker to take temporary possession of—
(a) any house or garden belonging to a house; or
(b) any building (other than a house) if it is for the time being occupied.
(3) Not less than 28 days (or such period less than 28 days as may be requested by the undertaker and which is then approved by the owner of the land) before entering on and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker must serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.
(4) The undertaker may only remain in possession of land under this article for so long as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the maintenance of the part of the authorised development for which possession of the land was taken.
(5) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker must remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land.
(6) The undertaker must pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the powers conferred by this article.
(7) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (6), or as to the amount of the compensation, must be determined under Part 1 (determination of questions of disputed compensation) of the 1961 Act.
(8) Nothing in this article affects any liability to pay compensation under section 152 (compensation in case where no right to claim in nuisance) of the 2008 Act or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the maintenance of the authorised development, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (6).
(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker is not required to acquire the land or any interest in it.
(10) Section 13 (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) of the 1965 Act applies to the temporary use of land under this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 (application of compulsory acquisition provisions) of the 2008 Act.
(11) In this article “the maintenance period” means the period of 5 years beginning with the date of final commissioning save that in relation to landscaping or ecological works where “the maintenance period” means such period as may be approved in the landscape and ecological management plan in accordance with requirement 9 of Schedule 2 to this Order beginning with the date on which that part of the landscaping or ecological works is completed.
Subject to the provisions of Schedule 11 (protective provisions) the undertaker may—
(a) acquire compulsorily, or acquire new rights or impose restrictive covenants over, the land belonging to statutory undertakers shown on the land plans within the Order land and described in the book of reference; and
(b) extinguish the rights of, remove, relocate the rights of or reposition the apparatus belonging to statutory undertakers over or within the Order land.
34 Apparatus and rights of statutory undertakers in closed streets
Where a street is altered or diverted or its use is temporarily prohibited or restricted under article 10 (street works), article 12 (power to alter layout, etc., of streets), article 13 (construction and maintenance of altered streets) or article 14 (temporary closure of streets and public rights of way) any statutory undertaker whose apparatus is under, in, on, along or across the street has the same powers and rights in respect of that apparatus, subject to Schedule 11 (protective provisions), as if this Order had not been made.
(1) Where any apparatus of a public utility undertaker or of a public communications provider is removed under article 33 (statutory undertakers) any person who is the owner or occupier of premises to which a supply was given from that apparatus is entitled to recover from the undertaker compensation in respect of expenditure reasonably incurred by that person, in consequence of the removal, for the purpose of effecting a connection between the premises and any other apparatus from which a supply is given.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of the removal of a public sewer but where such a sewer is removed under article 33 (statutory undertakers), any person who is—
(a) the owner or occupier of premises the drains of which communicated with that sewer; or
(b) the owner of a private sewer which communicated with that sewer,
is entitled to recover from the undertaker compensation in respect of expenditure reasonably incurred by that person, in consequence of the removal, for the purpose of making the drain or sewer belonging to that person communicate with any other public sewer or with a private sewerage disposal plant.
(3) This article does not have effect in relation to apparatus to which article 34 (apparatus and rights of statutory undertakers in closed streets) or Part 3 (street works in England and Wales) of the 1991 Act applies.
(4) In this article—
“public communications provider” has the same meaning as in section 151(1) (interpretation of Chapter 1) of the Communications Act 2003; and
“public utility undertaker” means a gas, water, electricity or sewerage undertaker.
(1) On the exercise by the undertaker of the relevant Order powers to acquire rights or impose restrictive covenants over the special category land so much of the special category land as is required for the purposes of the exercise by the undertaker of those rights or enforcement of those restrictive covenants is discharged from all rights, trusts and incidents to which it was previously subject, so far as their continuance would be inconsistent with the exercise of the relevant Order powers.
(2) In this article—
“relevant Order powers” means the rights and powers exercisable over the special category land by the undertaker under article 24 (compulsory acquisition of rights and imposition of restrictive covenants); and
“special category land” means the land in the East Riding of Yorkshire identified in the book of reference and on the special category land plans and forming part of Figham Common and numbered 13-6, 13-8, 14-1 and 14-3 on the special category land plans.
(1) Nothing in this Order affects prejudicially any estate, right, power, privilege, authority or exemption of the Crown and in particular, nothing in this Order authorises the undertaker or any licensee or lessee to use, enter upon or in any manner interfere with any land or rights of any description (including any portion of the shore or bed of the sea or any river, channel, creek, bay or estuary)—
(a) belonging to His Majesty in right of the Crown and forming part of The Crown Estate without the consent in writing of the Crown Estate Commissioners;
(b) belonging to His Majesty in right of the Crown and not forming part of The Crown Estate without the consent in writing of the government department having the management of that land; or
(c) belonging to a government department or held in trust for His Majesty for the purposes of a government department without the consent in writing of that government department.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the exercise of any right under this Order for the compulsory acquisition of an interest in any Crown Land (as defined in the 2008 Act) which is for the time being held otherwise than by or on behalf of the Crown.
(3) A consent under paragraph (1) may be given unconditionally or subject to terms and conditions; and is deemed to have been given in writing where it is sent electronically.
(1) This article applies to—
(a) any agreement for leasing to any person the whole or any part of the authorised development or the right to operate the same; and
(b) any agreement entered into by the undertaker with any person for the construction, maintenance, use, operation or decommissioning of the authorised development, or any part of it,
so far as any such agreement relates to the terms on which any land which is the subject of a lease granted by or under that agreement is to be provided for that person’s use.
(2) No enactment or rule of law regulating the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants prejudices the operation of any agreement to which this article applies.
(3) No enactment or rule of law applies in relation to the rights and obligations of the parties to any lease granted by or under any such agreement so as to—
(a) exclude or in any respect modify any of the rights and obligations of those parties under the terms of the lease, whether with respect to the termination of the tenancy or any other matter;
(b) confer or impose on any such party any right or obligation arising out of or connected with anything done or omitted on or in relation to land which is the subject of the lease, in addition to any such right or obligation provided for by the terms of the lease; or
(c) restrict the enforcement (whether by action for damages or otherwise) by any party to the lease of any obligation of any other party under the lease.
Development consent granted by this Order is treated as specific planning permission for the purposes of section 264(3)(a) (cases in which land is to be treated as operational land for the purposes of that Act) of the 1990 Act.