# LC35 -- Decommissioning

## Condition

Licence Condition 35 is the **primary licence condition governing decommissioning**. It requires the licensee to make and implement adequate arrangements for the safe decommissioning of any plant or process on the licensed site. It also gives ONR the power to **direct the licensee to commence decommissioning** and to **halt any decommissioning activity** if there are safety concerns.

## Key Requirements

- The licensee must make and implement adequate arrangements for safe decommissioning
- Decommissioning arrangements must be documented and available for ONR inspection
- ONR may direct the licensee to begin decommissioning of any plant or process
- ONR may direct the licensee to stop decommissioning work if safety is not assured
- The arrangements must cover the full scope of decommissioning: from initial planning through to delicensing
- An initial decommissioning plan should be prepared at the design stage and updated throughout the facility lifetime

## Relevance to Decommissioning

LC35 is the central regulatory instrument for decommissioning. Its significance includes:

- **Proactive planning.** LC35 establishes the expectation that decommissioning is planned from the outset, not treated as an afterthought. Modern practice requires an initial decommissioning plan to be submitted with the licence application.
- **ONR direction powers.** The power to direct commencement prevents indefinite deferral of decommissioning (the "safe store forever" problem). The power to halt work provides a safeguard against inadequately justified operations.
- **Decommissioning strategy.** The licensee's LC35 arrangements must address the chosen decommissioning strategy (immediate dismantling, deferred dismantling, or a combination) and justify it within the safety case.
- **Integration with other LCs.** LC35 arrangements do not stand alone -- they must be consistent with the safety case (LC14), periodic review programme (LC15), waste management arrangements (LC32, LC33), and all other applicable conditions.
- **End state definition.** The arrangements must define the intended end state for the site and the criteria for demonstrating that it has been achieved, ultimately leading to delicensing.
- **NDA oversight.** For NDA estate sites, LC35 arrangements must align with the site's Lifetime Plan and the NDA Strategy, adding a further layer of strategic governance.

## Docket Cross-References

- Chapter 6, Section 6.5 -- Key Nuclear Site Licence Conditions
- Chapter 6, Section 6.7 -- Safety Case Documentation Chain and Decommissioning Planning

## See Also

- [LC14](LC14.md) -- Safety Documentation (the safety case for decommissioning)
- [LC15](LC15.md) -- Periodic Review (long-duration programme review)
- [LC36](LC36.md) -- Control of Organisational Change (workforce changes during decommissioning)