Representation by Cadent Gas (Cadent Gas)
- Date submitted
- 3 May 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
RELEVANT REPRESENTATION Representation by Cadent Gas Limited (Cadent) to the Oaklands Farm Solar Park Development Consent Order (DCO) Cadent is a licensed gas transporter under the Gas Act 1986, with a statutory responsibility to operate and maintain the gas distribution networks in North London, Central, East Anglian and North West England. Cadent’s primary duties are to operate, maintain and develop its networks in an economic, efficient, and coordinated way. Cadent wishes to make a relevant representation to the Oaklands Farm Solar Park DCO in order to protect its position in light of infrastructure which is within or in close proximity to the proposed DCO boundary. Cadent’s rights to retain its apparatus in situ and rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew and repair such apparatus located within or in close proximity to the order limits including should be maintained at all times and access to inspect such apparatus must not be restricted. The documentation and plans submitted for the above proposed scheme have been reviewed in relation to impacts on Cadent’s existing apparatus located within this area, and Cadent has identified that it will require adequate protective provisions to be included within the DCO to ensure that its apparatus and land interests are adequately protected and to include compliance with relevant safety standards. Cadent has medium pressure gas pipeline and associated apparatus located within the order limits which are affected by works proposed, the extent to which is still being assessed and which may require diversions subject to the impact. Proposed diversions have not yet reached detailed design stage and so the positioning, land rights and consents required for these gas diversions are not confirmed. At this stage, Cadent is not satisfied that the DCO includes all land and rights required to accommodate such diversions as design studies will need to influence these requirements. Cadent will not decommission its existing apparatus and/or commission new apparatus until it has sufficient land and rights in land (to its satisfaction) to do so, whether pursuant to the DCO or otherwise. This is a fundamental matter of health and safety. At this stage, Cadent is not satisfied that the tests under section 127 of the PA 2008 can be met. Cadent has experience of promoters securing insufficient rights in land within DCOs for necessary diversions of its apparatus or securing rights for the benefit of incorrect entities. It is important that sufficient rights are granted to Cadent to allow Cadent to maintain its gas distribution network in accordance with its statutory obligations. As a responsible statutory undertaker, Cadent’s primary concern is to meet its statutory obligations and ensure that any development does not impact in any adverse way upon those statutory obligations. Adequate protective provisions for the protection of Cadent’s statutory undertaking have not yet been agreed but are in discussion between parties. Cadent wishes to reserve the right to make further representations as part of the examination process but will seek to engage with the promoter to reach a satisfactory agreement.