Renewable Energy Services

Bell Ingram has been providing Land Agency advice to windfarm developers throughout Scotland and the north of England for over 10 years. We understand the importance of harnessing renewable energy and have a team of dedicated specialists on hand.

In 1995 Bell Ingram was retained by Scottish Power to assist in negotiating with landowners for windfarm sites. We have since provided similar advice to other developers in the north of England and Scotland. Using our long association with a number of electricity companies, we provide advice for securing wayleaves for overhead or underground grid connections on renewables projects.

We currently act on behalf of a number of private landowners, including the Forestry Commission, in agreeing terms for windfarms and for both large and small scale hydro schemes. Over the last 10 years we have built up significant expertise and knowledge of financial and legal terms for both windfarms and hydro electric schemes.

Windfarm Sites and Hydro Schemes

We will establish ownership of identified sites, entering into initial discussions with landowners and securing Exclusivity Rights for site surveys and monitoring equipment.

We negotiate terms for Option Agreements and Leases for turbines or powerhouses, as well as access rights and cable routes.  

We negotiate terms for environmental/habitat management agreements where required and provide specialist forestry advice for sites within woodland areas.

A comprehensive understanding of a developer's requirements for renewable schemes, knowledge of current financial terms and familiarity with the legal rights required ensure that Option Agreements and Leases can be secured in a cost effective and speedy manner. This enables the developer to proceed with a planning application, with the necessary land rights in place.

Easement Rights for Grid Connections

We establish ownership of underground or overhead cable routes for grid connections for on-shore or off-shore renewable schemes. We assist clients in routing, taking into account local and agricultural constraints.

Our services include the preparation of consents or wayleave documents, which for underground cables are likely to take the form of long-term easement or servitude rights.

We help your solicitors to draft Leases or Deeds and recommend suitable terms, securing consent from land owners and occupiers, negotiating any appropriate or additional terms and conditions.

Other services provided during and after construction include land drainage design, landowner liaison and crop compensation.  An extensive knowledge of terms offered by electricity companies and pipeline operators enables Bell Ingram to recommend financial terms consistent with terms offered by others. Understanding the practical issues of construction ensures we give sound advice in terms of the legal rights and negotiating with landowners.

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