Representation by National Gas Transmission Limited (National Gas Transmission Limited)
- Date submitted
- 13 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Relevant Representation of National Gas Transmission Limited (NGT) in respect of the Yorkshire Green DCO (the “Project”) This relevant representation is submitted on behalf of National Gas Transmission Ltd (“NGT”) in respect of the Project, and in particular NGT’s infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits. NGT will require appropriate protection for retained apparatus including compliance with relevant standards for works proposed within close proximity of its apparatus. NGT’s rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew and repair such apparatus must also be maintained at all times and access to inspect and maintain such apparatus must not be restricted. Further, where the Applicant intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of NGT’s interests in land or NGT’s apparatus, NGT will require appropriate protection and further discussion is required on the impact to its apparatus and rights. Further detail is set out below. NGT infrastructure within/in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits NGT has high pressure gas transmission pipelines and above ground installations (“AGI”)] located within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits. The transmission pipeline and AGI form an essential part of the gas transmission network in England, Wales and Scotland: Transmission Pipelines: • Feeder Main 7 Towton to Cawood; • Feeder Main 7 Bardsey to Towton; • Feeder Main 13 Hunsmore to Howton; • Feeder Main 29 Asselby to Pannal. Above Ground Installations ? Towton AGI Compound Protection of NGT Assets As a responsible statutory undertaker, NGT’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. As such, NGT has a duty to protect its position in relation to infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the draft Order Limits. As noted, NGT’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 should be maintained at all times and access to inspect and maintain such apparatus must not be restricted. NGT will require protective provisions to be included within the draft Development Consent Order (the “Order”) for the Project to ensure that its interests are adequately protected and to ensure compliance with relevant safety standards. NGT is liaising with the Applicant in relation to such protective provisions, along with any supplementary agreements which may be required. NGT requests that the Applicant continues to engage with it to provide explanation and reassurances as to how the Applicant’s works pursuant to the Order (if made) will ensure protection for those NGT assets which will remain in situ, along with facilitating all future access and other rights as are necessary to allow NGT to properly discharge its statutory obligations. NGT will continue to liaise with the Applicant in this regard with a view to concluding matters as soon as possible during the DCO Examination and will keep the Examining Authority updated in relation to these discussions. Compulsory Acquisition Powers in respect of the Project As noted, where the Applicant intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of NGT’s interests in land, NGT will require further discussion with the Applicant. NGT reserves the right to make further representations as part of the Examination process in relation to specific interactions with its assets but in the meantime will continue to liaise with the Applicant with a view to reaching a satisfactory agreement.