This Order may be cited as the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025 and comes into force on 21st November 2025.
The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025
Published: Wed 3rd Dec 25
This Order amends the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015, granted under the Planning Act 2008, following an application for a non-material change.
The Secretary of State has made this amendment to allow the two constituent parts of the project, referred to as Project A and Project B, to be treated separately for the purpose of discharging and enforcing various conditions, particularly concerning abandonment, decay, removal, noise limits, and specific requirements placed on the distinct components of the offshore and onshore works.
Arguments For
Allows for the separate consideration and management of Project A and Project B components of the overall Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm development.
Clarifies enforcement mechanisms, particularly regarding abandonment, decay, and removal, making responsibilities specific to Project A or Project B.
Establishes distinct compliance procedures for Project B converter station works, including noise management and commencement restrictions, ensuring targeted regulatory oversight.
Refines definitions within Schedule 1 to clearly delineate 'Project A offshore works,' 'Project B offshore works,' and 'shared works,' streamlining the application of existing requirements.
Arguments Against
Introducing separate project considerations might complicate coordination if works are intrinsically linked or rely on shared infrastructure.
The insertion of new specific requirements for Project B (e.g., generator testing timings, light emissions) adds administrative complexity for the entity responsible for Project B operations (Bizco 4).
Making specific changes to definitions related to 'onshore works' may inadvertently affect ongoing compliance or interpretation of requirements originally set for the single, consolidated project.
The replacement of the general term 'the undertaker' with specific entities (Bizco 1 or Bizco 4) in various clauses requires careful tracking to ensure liability is correctly assigned across all relevant documentation.
An application has been made, under paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008[1], to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011[2] (“the 2011 Regulations”) for a non-material change to the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (“the 2015 Order”)[3].
The Secretary of State, having considered the application, the responses to the publicity and consultation required by regulations 6 and 7 of the 2011 Regulations, has decided to make this order amending the 2015 Order.
Accordingly, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers in paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008, makes the following Order.
The Secretary of State received an application to make a non-material change to the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015.
This request followed procedures outlined in the Planning Act 2008 and the 2011 Regulations concerning changes to Development Consent Orders (DCOs).
After reviewing the application and considering feedback received through mandatory publicity and consultation steps, the Secretary of State decided to issue this amending Order.
The Order is formally made under the powers granted by the Planning Act 2008 to update the existing 2015 Order.
Citation and commencement
1.
This legal instrument is officially named the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025.
It officially takes legal effect, or 'comes into force,' on November 21st, 2025.
Amendment to the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015
2.
The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 is amended in accordance with this Order.
This clause confirms that the structure and contents of the pre-existing Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 are being modified by the terms laid out in this new amending Order.
Amendment to Article 2 (interpretation)
3.
Article 2 is amended as follows—
(a)
in the definition of “Project A offshore works” after “means” insert “(except in Part 3 of Schedule 1)”
;
(b)
in the definition of “Project A onshore works” after “means” insert “(except in Part 3 of Schedule 1)”
;
(c)
in the definition of “Project B offshore works” after “means” insert “(except in Part 3 of Schedule 1)”
;
(d)
in the definition of “Project B onshore works” after “means” insert “(except in Part 3 of Schedule 1)”
;
(e)
in the definition of “shared works” after “means” insert “(except in Part 3 of Schedule 1)”
.
Article 2 of the 2015 Order, which sets out definitions, is modified for several key terms: 'Project A offshore works,' 'Project A onshore works,' 'Project B offshore works,' 'Project B onshore works,' and 'shared works.' For each of these definitions, the amendment inserts a specific exclusion: '(except in Part 3 of Schedule 1).' This means that the definition provided in Article 2 does not apply when interpreting requirements found specifically within Part 3 of Schedule 1.
Amendment to Article 11 (Offshore works: abandonment, decay or removal) of the Order
4.
Article 11 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 11(1) after “Where the” insert “Project A”
;
(b)
in paragraph 11(1)(a) after “remove the” insert “Project A”
;
(c)
in sub-paragraph 11(1)(b) after “restore the site of the” insert “Project A”
;
(d)
in paragraphs 11(1) and 11(2) in each place it occurs, for “the undertaker” substitute “Bizco 1”
;
(e)
in paragraph 11(2) after the words “Where the” insert “Project A”
and after “restore the site of the”
insert “Project A”
;
(f)
after paragraph 11(2) insert—
(2A)
Where the Project B offshore works or any part of them are abandoned or allowed to fall into decay the Secretary of State may, following consultation with Bizco 4, issue a written notice requiring Bizco 4 at its own expense—
(a)
to repair and restore or remove the Project B offshore works or any part of it; and
(b)
to restore the site of the Project B offshore works or any part of it to a safe and appropriate condition, having regard to any requirement that appears to the Secretary of State to be relevant, within an area and to such an extent as may be specified in the notice.
(2B)
Where the Project B offshore works or any part of them are removed (other than in accordance with paragraph (2A)), the Secretary of State may, following consultation with Bizco 4 and the relevant statutory nature conservation body, issue a written notice requiring Bizco 4 at its own expense to restore the site of the Project B offshore works or any relevant part to a safe and appropriate condition, having regard to any requirement that appears to the Secretary of State to be relevant, within an area and to such an extent as may be specified in the notice.”.
Article 11, which addresses the abandonment, decay, or removal of offshore works, is significantly modified to separate responsibilities between Project A and Project B. Provisions regarding derelict or abandoned Project A offshore works now specifically mention 'Project A' and substitute 'the undertaker' with 'Bizco 1.'
New subsections (2A) and (2B) are inserted to cover Project B offshore works.
If Project B works are abandoned or decay, the Secretary of State can instruct 'Bizco 4' to restore or remove them, following consultation.
A similar requirement applies for restoration if Project B works are removed, involving consultation with Bizco 4 and the relevant nature conservation body.
Amendment to Part 3 (Requirements) of Schedule 1 (Authorised Project)
5.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 1 is amended as follows—
(a)
for the definition of “onshore works”, substitute ““onshore works” means the Project A onshore works, the Project B onshore works and the shared works (all as defined in Part 3 of this Schedule);”
;
(b)
after the definition of “onshore works” insert—
““Project A converter station works” means the electrical converter substation and compound included in Work No. 7 relating to Project A only;
“Project B converter station works” means the electrical converter substation and compound included in Work No. 7 relating to Project B only;
“Project A offshore works” means Work Nos. 1A, 2A, and 2T and any related associated development;
“Project B offshore works” means Work Nos. 1B, 2B, 2BA, 2BC and 2T and any related associated development;
“Project A onshore works” means the Project A converter station works, Work Nos. 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 8A and 9A and any related associated development save that cable preparation works relating to Work Nos. 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 8A and 9A are excluded where those works are carried out as shared works;
“Project B onshore works” means the Project B converter station works, Work Nos. 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 8B and 9B and any related associated development save that cable preparation works relating to Work Nos. 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 8B and 9B are excluded where those works are carried out as shared works;
“shared works” means Work No. 7 (save for the Project A converter station works and the Project B converter station works), and Works Nos. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F and any related associated development; and”.
Part 3 of Schedule 1 receives detailed definitional updates.
The term 'onshore works' is redefined to explicitly include 'Project A onshore works,' 'Project B onshore works,' and 'shared works,' referencing new definitions within Part 3.
Several new, specific definitions are introduced to break down the physical components of the project: 'Project A converter station works,' 'Project B converter station works,' specific work numbers for Project A and Project B offshore components, and corresponding definitions for their onshore elements, noting exclusions for shared cable preparation works.
The terms 'shared works' are also explicitly defined by listing the relevant work numbers, excluding the converter stations.
6.
In Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (requirements), paragraph 6(9)—
(a)
for “the Project A offshore works” substitute “Work Nos. 1A, 2A, 2T and 3A”
;
(b)
for “the Project B offshore works” substitute “Work Nos. 1B, 2B, 2BA, 2BC, 2T and 3B”
.
Paragraph 6(9) of Part 3 in Schedule 1 is amended to specify the work items referenced by the broad terms.
The placeholder for 'the Project A offshore works' is replaced with the specific Work Numbers 1A, 2A, 2T, and 3A. Similarly, 'the Project B offshore works' designation is replaced by Work Nos. 1B, 2B, 2BA, 2BC, 2T, and 3B.
7.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 16 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 16(4)—
(i)
for “Work No. 7” substitute “the Project A converter station works”
;
(ii)
after “must be completed before” insert “any part or parts of”
;
(b)
after paragraph 16(4) insert—
(4A)
Any approved permanent fencing in relation to the Project B converter station works must be completed before any part or parts of the relevant work is brought into use.
(4B)
Any approved permanent fencing in relation to the shared works forming Work No. 7 must be completed before any part or parts of the Project A onshore works or Project B onshore works are brought into use.”.
Paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 deals with the completion timing of permanent fencing related to development components.
For Project A, 'Work No. 7' is replaced with 'the Project A converter station works,' and new text ensures fencing completion precedes the bringing into use of any part of that work.
New requirements are added: subsection (4A) mandates that permanent fencing for the Project B converter station works must be completed before those works are brought into use.
Subsection (4B) specifies that permanent fencing for shared works within Work No. 7 must be completed before the Project A or Project B onshore works are brought into use.
8.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 19 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 19(1) for “Work No. 7” substitute “The Project A converter station works”
;
(b)
after paragraph 19(1) insert—
(1A)
The Project B converter station works must not commence until a detailed scheme addressing the matters referred to in sub-paragraph (2) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the relevant planning authority following consultation with the Environment Agency.”;
(c)
in paragraphs 19(2) and 19(3), in both places it occurs, for “The scheme” substitute “Each scheme”
.
Paragraph 19, relating to schemes for works, is modified to separate approvals for Project A and Project B converter stations.
Paragraph 19(1) now references 'The Project A converter station works' instead of 'Work No. 7.'
New subsection (1A) imposes a precondition on Project B: commencement of Project B converter station works requires prior written approval from the relevant planning authority for a detailed scheme, following consultation with the Environment Agency.
Furthermore, in paragraphs 19(2) and 19(3), the singular reference 'The scheme' is replaced with 'Each scheme' to account for separate schemes likely generated for Project A and Project B.
9.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 25 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 25(1)—
(i)
for “Work No. 7” substitute “the Project A converter station”
;
(ii)
after “must”, delete “each or together”;
(iii)
after “35 decibels”, insert “(including when taken as a whole with the Project B converter station)”
.
(b)
after paragraph 25(1) insert—
(1A)
The noise emanating from the operation of the Project B converter station (including transformers, cooling fans, switch gear and power lines) must not exceed operational noise levels of 35 decibels (including when taken as a whole with the Project A converter station) as given in BS4142 at the nearest receptors identified on the works plans as follows (with grid references shown as easting: northing)—
(a)
Halfway House (504796; 436331);
(b)
Model Farm (504011; 436576);
(c)
Poplar Farm (503727; 435672); and
(d)
Wanlass Farm (504385; 435168).”;
(c)
in paragraph 25(3), after “in relation to the”, insert “Project A”
;
(d)
after paragraph 25(3) insert—
(3A)
All standby generator testing in relation to the Project B onshore works must be undertaken between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday to Saturday, and not at all on Sundays or public or bank holidays, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the relevant planning authority.”.
Paragraph 25, concerning noise limits, is updated.
For Project A (now referenced as 'the Project A converter station'), the constraint of 35 decibels must now explicitly include the noise generated when taken together with the Project B converter station.
The phrase 'each or together' is removed from the context of 25(1).
New subsection (1A) explicitly sets the corresponding, identical noise limit of 35 decibels for the operation of the Project B converter station, measured at specific nearby receptor locations (Halfway House, Model Farm, Poplar Farm, Wanlass Farm), also requiring inclusion of Project A noise for the assessment.
Insertion (3A) sets specific time restrictions for standby generator testing related to Project B onshore works: testing is limited to 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and prohibited on Sundays, public, or bank holidays, unless the planning authority agrees otherwise. Paragraph 25(3) is amended to apply its scope specifically to Project A.
10.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 26 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 26(1), for “Work No. 7” substitute “The Project A converter station works”
;
(b)
in paragraph 26(2)—
(i)
after “artificial light emissions” insert “under paragraph (1)”
;
(ii)
after “during the operation of the” insert “Project A”
.
(c)
after paragraph 26(2) insert—
(3)
The Project B converter station works must not be brought into operation until a written scheme for the management and mitigation of artificial light emissions during the operation of the Project B converter station works has been submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority following consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.
(4)
The approved scheme for the management and mitigation of artificial light emissions under paragraph (3) must be implemented and maintained during the operation of the Project B onshore works.”.
Paragraph 26, concerning the management of artificial light emissions, is updated to specify Project A. Paragraph 26(1) replaces 'Work No. 7' with 'The Project A converter station works,' and 26(2) clarifies that the existing restrictions apply to 'Project A' lighting.
New subsections (3) and (4) are introduced for Project B. Project B converter station works cannot start until a written scheme for managing and mitigating light emissions from its operation is approved by the planning authority, following consultation with the nature conservation body.
This approved scheme must then be implemented and maintained during the operation of Project B onshore works.
11.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 30 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 30(1)—
(i)
replace “The undertaker” with “Bizco 1”
;
(ii)
replace “onshore works gives” with “Project A onshore works and shared works give”
;
(b)
after paragraph 30(1) insert—
(1A)
Bizco 4 must submit to the relevant planning authority for approval a scheme to rectify the situation in the event that the operation of the Project B onshore works and shared works give rise to interference with telecommunications or television equipment at nearby residential properties.”;
(c)
in paragraph 30(2) for “The scheme”, substitute “Each scheme”
;
(d)
in paragraph 30(3) after “in accordance with the”, insert “relevant”
.
Paragraph 30 deals with interference with telecommunications or television equipment.
For Project A, 'The undertaker' is replaced by 'Bizco 1,' and the affected works are specified as 'Project A onshore works and shared works.'
New subsection (1A) creates a requirement for 'Bizco 4' to submit an approval scheme to the planning authority if the operation of 'Project B onshore works and shared works' causes interference.
Paragraph 30(2) is amended to require 'Each scheme' to be considered, and 30(3) is updated to reference the 'relevant' scheme.
12.
Schedule 1 (Authorised Project), Part 3 (Requirements), paragraph 31 is amended as follows—
(a)
in paragraph 31(1)—
(i)
after “operation of the” insert “Project A”
;
(ii)
in both places it occurs, after “onshore works (in whole or in part)” insert “and any part of the shared works not required for the commercial operation of Project B”
;
(iii)
replace “the undertaker” with “Bizco 1”
;
(iv)
after “removal of the” insert “Project A”
;
(b)
after paragraph 31(1) insert—
(1A)
No later than 3 months before the cessation of commercial operation of the Project B onshore works (in whole or in part) and any part of the shared works not required for the commercial operation of Project A, Bizco 4 must submit to the relevant planning authority for approval a scheme for the demolition and removal of the Project B onshore works (in whole or in part) and any part of the shared works not required for the commercial operation of Project A, stating the final proposed condition of the relevant land including a proposed timetable.”;
(c)
in paragraph 31(2) replace “The proposed scheme” with “Each proposed scheme”
;
(d)
after paragraph 31(2) insert—
(3)
References in this requirement to “the shared works” means those elements of the shared works as they relate to Project A or Project B and, for the avoidance of doubt, paragraph (1) of this requirement will not be triggered when Project B ceases commercial operation and paragraph (1A) of this requirement will not be triggered when Project A ceases commercial operation.”.
Paragraph 31 dictates the scheme for demolition and removal upon cessation of commercial operation for onshore works.
For Project A, 'the undertaker' is replaced with 'Bizco 1,' and specific reference is made to 'Project A' and shared works not needed for Project B.
New subsection (1A) sets out the parallel requirement for Project B: 'Bizco 4' must submit a scheme for demolition and removal of Project B onshore works (and associated shared works not needed for Project A) three months before Project B ceases operation.
Subsections (c) and (d) ensure that terms like 'proposed scheme' become 'Each proposed scheme,' and new subsection (3) clarifies that the removal requirements in 31(1) (Project A focused) are not triggered by Project B ceasing operation, and 31(1A) (Project B focused) is not triggered by Project A ceasing operation.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
John Wheadon
Head of Energy Infrastructure Planning and Innovation
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The document is formally authorized by John Wheadon, Head of Energy Infrastructure Planning and Innovation within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
This action was executed on November 20th, 2025, on behalf of the Secretary of State.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008, following an application made in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 for a non-material change under paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008. This Order allows for the two parts of the project to be considered separately, and for the discharge and enforcement of the relevant requirements on a project specific basis.
This optional explanatory note confirms that the Order amends the 2015 Development Consent Order (DCO) using powers related to non-material changes under the Planning Act 2008.
The primary effect of the amendment is to enable the two components of the overall wind farm project (Project A and Project B) to be treated discreetly, allowing for their specific approval obligations and enforcement requirements to be managed on a project-by-project basis.
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