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Early utility advice brings to light the matters that shape acquisition, masterplanning, phasing and programme while there is still flexibility to plan around them.
Working across electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications, we support developers, landowners, investors, planners, designers and contractors throughout the development lifecycle. We engage directly with statutory undertakers and network providers, including Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs), Independent Connection Providers (ICPs), Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs) and New Appointment and Variation water companies (NAVs), to establish viable connection strategies and challenge requirements where appropriate.
Why Choose Brookbanks for Utilities
As schemes progress, we provide a coordinated approach to utility infrastructure, managing applications, quotations, procurement and network engagement while working alongside the wider design and delivery team. Our focus is on securing the right solution for each development, balancing programme, cost, resilience, capacity and future flexibility.
Our experience spans residential, mixed-use and strategic land, industrial and logistics developments, major infrastructure projects, commercial developments and data centres. From a single site to a large-scale masterplan, we understand how utility infrastructure interacts with planning, design, phasing and commercial delivery. By combining technical expertise, strong network relationships and an in-depth understanding of the development process, we help clients reduce risk, unlock development potential and deliver infrastructure strategies that support successful, sustainable places.
Key Client Benefits
- Feasibility reviews give an early understanding of existing infrastructure, network capacity, diversion requirements and potential reinforcement before key investment and design decisions are fixed.
- Clear connection and infrastructure strategies set out practical routes to securing electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications, considering cost, programme, capacity and deliverability.
- Integrated design advice considers utilities alongside masterplanning, phasing, highways, drainage, landscape and building design, helping to minimise conflicts and protect development potential.
- Effective engagement with network operators, water companies, gas transporters and telecommunications providers helps to challenge requirements, explore alternatives and secure appropriate solutions.
- Lifecycle support from acquisition through to delivery covers searches, capacity assessments, applications, quotations, procurement, diversions, reinforcement and the ongoing management of utility risks through construction.
- We look for value enhancement in our utilities strategies, securing capacity early to protect programme, planning for low-carbon energy and avoiding late changes.
Specialist Services
Utility Searches and Surveys
Utility searches are often the first step in shaping a site’s utility strategy. We procure and review statutory utility records to identify the existing electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications infrastructure within and around a development site, giving clients an early understanding of network assets, potential constraints and any areas that need further investigation.
Where more certainty is needed, we procure and coordinate detailed utility surveys to verify the location, depth and extent of existing infrastructure. These can include Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys, trial excavations and sag and swing surveys of overhead power lines. Survey information reduces uncertainty and supports well-informed masterplanning, detailed design, construction planning and the scoping of any diversions.
Infrastructure Constraints and Feasibility
Existing and planned utility infrastructure can influence development capacity and site layout. Our specialists assess constraints such as easements, Building Proximity Distances (BPDs) around high-pressure gas pipelines, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consultation zones and sag and swing zones beneath overhead lines. Each assessment considers the potential effect on masterplanning, phasing, developable land, infrastructure requirements, cost and programme, so that constraints can be designed around from the outset.
Our utility feasibility reports provide an early-stage assessment of capacity, connection opportunities, reinforcement requirements, diversions and infrastructure risks associated with a development. By identifying potential solutions, likely costs and programme implications, they support site acquisition, planning, masterplanning and wider development decisions.
Utility Strategy and Alternative Heating
We develop coordinated utility strategies covering electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications. Each strategy sets out preferred connection solutions, infrastructure requirements, phasing considerations, key risks and recommended actions, with the aim of providing a clear, deliverable solution for servicing the site that works with the development’s phasing and cash flow.
As developments move towards low-carbon heating, the choice of heating strategy can have a significant effect on utility requirements. Our Alternative Heating Impact Assessments summarise the impact of approaches such as district heating, air source and ground source heat pumps and smart microgrids, helping clients understand the infrastructure implications of each option alongside their wider energy and sustainability strategy.
Read how our specialists led the utility strategy and appraised heating options at Godley Green.
Network Engagement and Utility Procurement
Strong relationships with network operators, water companies, gas transporters and telecommunications providers help clients secure appropriate solutions. We review connection requirements and offers, engage directly with statutory undertakers and independent providers, and explore alternatives where appropriate, balancing cost, programme and capacity.
We also run competitive procurement of utility connections and infrastructure from statutory undertakers, independent network operators and specialist contractors. Available solutions are assessed both technically and commercially to identify the most appropriate approach on cost, programme, risk and development requirements, with tenders evaluated against each client’s project-specific needs.
See how our specialists worked with the DNO to unlock an earlier power supply at Warrington Road.
Utility Project Management and Delivery
Continuity from the acceptance of offers through to construction keeps utility works aligned with the wider construction programme. We manage and coordinate utility activities throughout this period, including programme management, design coordination, procurement and the resolution of technical and commercial matters.
Working alongside the wider design and delivery team, our specialists oversee diversions, reinforcement and the ongoing management of utility risks through construction. This lifecycle support reduces risk throughout delivery and helps clients move from acquisition to completion with confidence in their utility solution.
Sectors We Support
Our utility specialists support projects across Brookbanks’ key sectors, including strategic land, master developer schemes, single-family housing, build-to-rent (BTR), high-rise, social housing, industrial and logistics, leisure and education.
The team’s wider experience also supports mixed-use and regeneration schemes, commercial development, energy and utilities, manufacturing, waste and resource facilities, hospitality and leisure, public sector estates and complex operational sites.
Talk to Our Utilities Specialists
To talk through utilities for a single site or a large-scale masterplan, contact a member of the team directly or email hello@brookbanks.com and one of our experts will get back to you.
Project Utility Consultant, Land, Development and Communities
Tom Nash
tom.nash@brookbanks.com
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Ryan Elliman
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FAQs
When should we start looking at utilities on a site?
Ideally at site identification or before acquisition. Early searches and feasibility work reveal existing infrastructure, available capacity and likely reinforcement or diversion needs. At that stage they can still inform land value, layout and programme.
What is the difference between a utility search and a utility survey?
A utility search gathers the statutory records held by network owners to show what infrastructure is recorded in and around a site. A utility survey verifies on the ground where that infrastructure actually is, including its location and depth, using techniques such as Ground Penetrating Radar and trial excavations.
Can you help us review or challenge a connection offer?
Yes. We engage directly with network operators and independent providers, review connection requirements and offers, and explore alternatives where appropriate. This helps clients secure a solution that balances cost, programme and capacity.
Do you manage the procurement and delivery of utility connections?
Yes. We run competitive procurement across statutory undertakers, independent network operators and specialist contractors. We can then manage and coordinate utility activities through construction and delivery.