Utilities Case Studies

Teeside to Saltend Ethylene Pipeline – BP Chemicals

Teeside to Saltend Ethylene Pipeline

Providing full land agency services to BP Chemicals on a 150km gas pipeline

Brief

Bell Ingram were initially approached by BP Chemicals to assist in routing a proposed 150km gas pipeline between Teesside and Humberside in the North East of England. Bell Ingram undertook an initial routing study before working with BP’s pipeline engineers to refine and finalise the route.

Process

Bell Ingram referenced the pipeline route and then prepared consent documents and plans for each landowner and occupier along the route. We then negotiated the landowners’ consents, including obtaining agreement to the acquisition of block valve sites and CP Installations. Bell Ingram also assisted in compulsory rights orders cases and acted as expert witness. Our land agents further assisted BP’s consultants in obtaining access to the pipeline route for site investigation and environmental surveys and prior to construction and we prepared a full record of condition of the whole pipeline corridor.

Outcome

The pipeline was constructed over two years between 1999 and 2000 and affected nearly 300 landowners and tenants throughout the length of this route. Bell Ingram worked closely with BP and their contractors and shared offices during the construction phase, providing land liaison and land drainage consultancy services. On completion of the pipeline construction, Bell Ingram negotiated compensation claims for crop losses and disturbance. The pipeline was successfully constructed on programme and within budget. Bell Ingram continues to work with the new pipeline owner Ineos, to provide crop loss claim and drainage services during the operation of the pipeline.

Article posted on 13/12/2019

Utilities Case Studies

Woodhouse Mast Overhead Line Replacement in West Yorkshire

Electricity Woodhouse Overhead Line Mast Replacement

Designing new overhead line route for Northern Powergrid

Brief

Between the 1920s and 1940s, a number of 33kV and 66kV overhead lines were built using steel masts, often constructed from surplus wartime ships, commonly referred to as Woodhouse Masts. Due to legislation and design changes, these structures are now deemed to be at the end of their asset life and require replacement. 

Process

Bell Ingram’s brief from Northern Powergrid was to design a feasible route for a replacement wood pole overhead line to replace the steel masts line between Ferrybridge C Powerstation and South Elmsall Substation in West Yorkshire, over approx. 30km. Development of the local area had been prolific over the decades, with further regeneration passed for new energy projects, making an online rebuild impossible. As far a possible, the routing needed to take account of landowner and stakeholder requirements. Bell Ingram were required to obtain consents from all land owners and statutory bodies.

Outcome

Bell Ingram secured all landowner agreements and consents were also obtained from the statutory bodies. Works to cross over a waste incineration site, a gas extraction site and a gas power station were agreed, having ensured network connection for the incineration plant back into the network. Form Bs were granted without any objection or conditions and a Section 37 consent was granted. A new wood pole line was subsequently constructed and the old Woodhouse mast line was dismantled.

Article posted on 01/01/2019

Utilities Case Studies

Disposal of Redundant Assets for Scottish Water

Disposal of Redundant Assets

Surveying services for Scottish Water

Brief

Bell Ingram were instructed in 2006 by Scottish Water to provide surveying services for the disposal of redundant assets and sites throughout Scotland and the Outer Isles. At the time Scottish Water held several thousand sites on their redundant asset register and over the years additional sites have been added on a regular basis.

Process

Bell Ingram’s remit was to undertake site inspections of each asset and prepare detailed site reports including highlighting H&S risks. We work with Scottish Water’s solicitors in undertaking Title searches for each site and where Scottish Water hold valid Title, assist Scottish Water in preparing sites for disposal, usually by auction or on the open market. Where Scottish Water do not hold Title to a site, Bell Ingram will negotiate with the adjoining landowners to obtain a legal discharge of Scottish Water’s obligations and liabilities.

Outcome

Bell Ingram manage a redundant asset database, which by 2019 had reduced to under a thousand assets, with many assets and sites having been removed from the redundant asset register as a result of sales through auction and the transfer of the assets to landowners. Some sites have been identified as having development potential and our planning consultants assist Scottish Water in obtaining planning consent and those sites are being put to the open market through our Estate Agency team.

Article posted on 01/01/2019

Utilities Case Studies

Expert Witness | Telecoms Valuation for Overhead Fibre Optic Cable

Expert Witness – Telecoms Valuation for overhead fibre optic cable

 

Brief

Bell Ingram acted as Expert Witness on behalf of a client who operates a telecommunications cable that crosses third-party land as part of an existing overhead electricity transmission line. The landowner had referred the case to Court following a dispute regarding the quantum of consideration to be paid for the equipment and for injurious affection caused to the property.

Process

Bell Ingram was instructed to act as Expert Witness in a case heard at the County Court (Technology and Construction Division), providing specialist advice on the valuation of wayleave agreements and on the likelihood of any diminution in value to the property caused by the presence of the telecommunications equipment.

Outcome

Bell Ingram attended the Court Hearing and gave expert evidence. The case was decided in our client’s favour and in full accordance with the advice and evidence given by our Expert Witness. Case Reference: C50MA035.

Article posted on 01/01/2018

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Utilities Case Studies

Expert Witness | Pipeline Loss of Development – Wind Turbines

Expert Witness – Pipeline Loss of Development – Wind Turbines

Providing specialist advice on loss of development for a windfarm over a gas pipeline.

Brief

Bell Ingram were instructed to act as Expert Witness on behalf of National Grid who held servitude rights over land in relation to an underground gas pipeline which they own and operate. The case arose when the landowner referred a claim for loss of development to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, with a claim for sterilisation of land for a turbine on a proposed wind farm development.

Process

Bell Ingram acted as Expert Witness in a case heard over six days at the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, providing specialist advice on the prospects of windfarm development layout and on the valuation of any potential diminution in value due to the proximity of the gas pipeline.

 

Outcome

The applicants had claimed compensation in excess of £2.2 million and the case was decided, following the evidence of Bell Ingram’s Expert Witness, with compensation for depreciation in land value set at £280,000. This represented a significant cost saving to our client. Case reference: LTS/COMP/2009/04

Article posted on 01/01/2017

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Utilities Case Studies

North West Ethylene Pipeline | Shell Chemicals UK

North West Ethylene Pipeline

Providing land agency services on the longest single gas pipeline ever built by a private operator.

Brief

In 1988 Bell Ingram were instructed by Shell Chemicals UK to provide land agency services on the full length of their proposed 400km gas pipeline between Grangemouth in Scotland and Stanlow in Cheshire. This was and still is the longest single gas or oil pipeline ever built by a private operator. The project affected over 800 landowners, required the acquisition of over 20 valve sites, as well as rights for numerous cathodic protection sites, temporary side accesses and construction camps.

Process

Bell Ingram set up two new offices along the route and initially referenced the pipeline corridor, and then prepared consent documents and plans for each landowner and occupier along the route. We then negotiated the landowners’ and occupiers’ consents, including obtaining agreement for the acquisition of valve sites, CP Installations and temporary rights. Bell Ingram also assisted in compulsory rights order cases and public enquiries, including acting as Expert Witness. Our land agents further assisted Shell’s consultants in obtaining access to the pipeline route for site investigation and environmental surveys and prior to construction we prepared a full record of condition of the whole pipeline corridor.

 

Outcome

The pipeline was successfully constructed in a single year and on programme. During construction, Bell Ingram worked closely with Shell and their contractors, providing 10 land liaison officers, five drainage consultants and over 15 agricultural inspectors, along with five land agents along the route. On completion of the pipeline construction, we negotiated compensation claims for crop losses and disturbance and we have continued to provide crop loss claim and drainage services during the operational phase. Bell Ingram also provide a development monitoring service through our Planning Consultant, working closely with the pipeline operator.

Article posted on 01/01/1995

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