Diverting or connecting utility apparatus on residential and commercial sites can impact their profitability and development potential. Our utilities services team can advise on the next steps forward.
Getting utilities right can often be a costly business in any development. Whether there are already utilities on-site that need diverting or removal, or you’re looking to put in place new utility infrastructure, it is often the cause of a lot of financial headaches. Our utilities services team maximise the value and development potential of these sites by addressing utility requirements in a proactive way.
What do our utilities services team do?
Our specialist team advise on the full range of utility apparatus, including electricity, gas, water, oil and telecoms.
Diversions and compensation
Existing utility apparatus can throw a real spanner in the works when it comes to developing or buying land. It can also limit the value and development potential. We help our clients capitalise on statutory processes to open up development opportunities.
Many developers obtain a quotation to divert lines from the utility company first, then our utilities services team seeks to reduce the quote by as much as possible. We flip this process on its head and review the legal basis on which the apparatus exists, then use statutory procedures to pass the whole cost of diverting or under-grounding to the utility company, regularly saving our clients multi-millions. Otherwise, if for example an overhead line or pylon remains in situ, we negotiate compensation on loss of development value.
Injurious affection
Injurious affection occurs where land and property are adversely affected by statutory schemes causing a decrease in the freehold market value. It is a commonly held myth that landowners whose properties are affected by electricity equipment that is held on a wayleave have no right to compensation from the electricity operator. The opposite is actually true. In some instances, landowners can claim against the electricity companies for this so called “diminution in value” in return for the granting of a permanent right for the apparatus to remain in place. This is particularly important to large landowners like institutional and private rural and commercial landlords, and registered providers. They have the potential to make significant claims, which is where our utilities services team can help.
New connections and disconnections
When it comes to connecting or disconnecting utility apparatus, we offer a range of utilities services for businesses dependant on the client’s requirements, from feasibility reports and the procurement of competitive quotations, to the project management of works.
- Pre-acquisition of land due diligence: We can provide a range of feasibility studies, helping clients ascertain what services already run through (under or over) the site and whether the required capacity can be brought to site without the need for expensive off-site reinforcement works.
- Post-acquisition of land services: We can advise on technical procurement by obtaining several competitive quotations for the new infrastructure (contestable element) and providing technical and regulatory advice.
- Pre-start and on-site services: We can act as project manager, ensuring the services are installed on time.
Who do we help?
The majority of our specialist utilities team work on behalf of developers, promoters and landowners. We work predominantly in the residential sector but do advise on commercial developments too.
