What was the Client Requirement
As part of our utility consultancy work at Apogee we have assisted a large number of residential developments, from small plots with a few homes to larger multi-story units and combined, community-centred Garden Villages. Broadnook Garden Village is one such development, offering a large number of homes of all sizes together with various amenities and green spaces. We have supplied utility information to assist similar developments before such as Chelmsford Garden Village, however in this case we were supporting a solution to a unique electrical challenge.

Rock Power Connections (part of the mitie group) contacted Apogee to investigate the utilities in and immediately around the National Grid substation in Loughborough to assist with a new 15km HV connection to supply Broadnook with electricity, as there was insufficient capacity for such a large development within nearby mains. Long digs for new power cables are expensive and typically only performed to support large sites such as this.

What was the Apogee Solution?
Apogee work with Rock Power regularly to enable their works on substations as well as other sites. The expensive and dangerous nature of the equipment at a substation and the fact that investigatory works around them are also dangerous amplifies the risk – making thorough and proactive utility searching vital.
Using our experience in analysing utility plans and our knowledge of how to handle them in relation to new developments, Apogee were able to identify all the relevant utilities for the site and inform the client which assets posed a risk to the connection.

What was the result of the report?
As is often the case with substations, there was a very large amount of electrical plant present within and around the site, along with some supporting telecoms equipment. Fortunately, other utilities were not present in the area, though they did exist along the route of the proposed cable nearby. The substation was also adjacent to a railway line which had a few telecommunications cables running next to and underneath the track. There were also some overhead electrical cables as well as underground.

Why was the client delighted?
The client was delighted that there was no plant near the substation other than that which was supplying it, enabling their works to proceed as planned and preventing any additional delays or costs to the work taking place to connect the substation. Apogee’s experienced searching team and thorough searching adds particular value to projects such as this one.
The report was also delivered alongside individual files showing each utility within the site, which can be particularly helpful for large sites and make the information easier to use. While this site is a significant energy project, even in low risk situations it is important safedigging practises are followed at all times in accordance with the PAS128 Specification and HSG47 Guidelines.

About the client:
Rock Power are one of the UK’s leading Independent Connections Providers, and are part of the mitie group. They design and build a variety of electrical infrastructure solutions for clients across the UK, including HV Connections as with this project, EV Charging, BNO Equipment, DNO Equipment, and Utility and Topographical surveys in high risk environments. They also help a wide range of developers with their electrical connections, particularly for high loads.

Who else would buy this?
Our Consultancy services 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 us. Even if you are not the source of funds for the development and costs savings are of secondary importance to you, we 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. We have decades of experience in managing such conflicts across our 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.