What was the Client Requirement?
Transport Planning Associates (TPA) needed utility information to inform their own client on a potential residential development in Bury St Edmunds. The end client on the project did not have much time to finish the pre-planning stage due to tight timeframes and so Apogee were asked to provide the plans as soon as possible and earlier than the typical delivery date. In addition to this, the client needed a layered PDF Fastview report to use with their design work alongside and after the application.

What was the Apogee Solution?
Using their experience in analysing utility plans and knowledge of how to handle them in relation to new developments, Apogee was to collect all existing utility plans and make them available individually, with many plans available to the client within hours of ordering the report. Providing plans individually and before the report is delivered as a whole is available to all clients as time is often of the essence when it comes to making design decisions on developments and understanding feasibility. Compliance is only one part of the process in utility consultancy and Apogee specialise in assisting works in general beyond having compliant data to work with.

What were the results of the reports?
The Utility Search for this site was busy for a seemingly empty area, with 10 separate utilities affecting the potential of the Development. The main utilities – Power, Gas, Water, Sewerage and BT were all present, with multiple gas operators owning pipes in and around the area. There were also some strategically important oil pipelines across the site including an Exolum Pipeline originally constructed to supply airfields during World War II. Obviously, these assets present a unique and challenging utility situation for development and knowledge of their location is a practical and legal necessity for developers.

Why was the client delighted?
Apogee was able to deliver the report in full before its typical delivery date in this case, as they are often able to do when the client is facing unique time pressures and/or requests it. The Report was delivered 100% complete, and the Fastview accompanying the search was delivered on time and including all affected assets for the site. Both reports included the full extent of the proposed residential development and the extents of the surrounding roadways, including an A road and several more minor roads.

About the client:
Transport Planning Associates are a transport consultancy firm who offer a range of services to developers to help them get maximum utility and value out of their projects, with a particular focus on logistical and transport challenges. Established in 1997, TPA have worked with a wide variety of public and private sector clients, from the UK’s largest food retailer and leading residential care providers down to individual landowners. TPA focus on quality and cost-effectiveness in providing their professional consultancy services to encourage their staff and their clients to realise their greatest potential and best achieve their objectives.

Who else would buy this?
Apogee's consultancy reports are ideal for Solicitors, Clients and Project Managers, Developers, Local Authorities Consultants, Architects, Design & Build Contractors, Highways Scheme promoters and Surveyors. Anyone involved with a residential or commercial development who would benefit from understanding the risks and costs which come from utilities would be well placed to talk to Apogee.

Even if you are not the source of funds for the development and costs savings are of secondary importance to you, Apogee can help you avoid other inconveniences such as delays and reduce the risk of any accidents or strikes of existing plant, as well as improve due diligence and help you achieve compliance under the relevant guidelines and regulations, namely PAS128 and HSG47. They have decades of experience in managing such conflicts across their capable team, a member of whom was on the PAS128 steering committee and who was personally involved in the drafting of PAS128 Quality Level D.