Longniddry Farm Cottages is a new mixed-use development consisting of approximately 470 new homes and 12 industrial and commercial units (offices, café and shops). It has been designed around a vision to make the village even more sustainable and attractive to future generations.

The development is being built over two phases by two developers, over approximately five years, with Cruden Homes as the lead developer. The developers and landowner, Wemyss and March Estates, will ensure the development delivery is as per the principles and commitments made to the local community.

The utility scope of the project for Energetics Design and Build was to design and install:

• a high voltage network with two substations;
• a medium pressure gas distribution mains (including a gas governor);
• the mains water for the development.

We will also be connecting each home and commercial unit and an existing cottage to gas, electricity and water.

Off-site liaison

Bringing in the HV network through the main street of Longniddry required extensive initial off-site work, so we needed to keep disruption to the residents of Longniddry to a minimum. Our negotiations with SPEN reduced >600m off-site works down to 245m, resulting in much-reduced disruption.

We also needed to bring in a medium pressure gas CSEP (Connected System Exit Point) under a nearby railway bridge. By liaising with Network Rail, this was completed without difficulties or delays.

So far, Energetics has installed the infrastructure, one substation and one gas governor.

The first thing Cruden Homes East (CHE) looked for was a cost-effective tender submission encompassing all elements of a Multi-Utilities Design, Supply and Installation package, together with the agreement of a realistic payment profile. Due to the sensitivity & complexities of the project, they also needed a multi-utilities contractor who would be willing and able to listen to the Developers’ concerns and work with them to provide cost-effective design solutions and deliver the best value.

CHE were glad to work with a business that could provide a dedicated team and point of contact throughout the lengthy and, at times, exhaustive tender review & negotiation period. The onus was on the appointed Utilities Contractor to initially prepare draft designs and work with the developer to drive the designs forward to approval status, including obtaining suitable Points of Connection (POCs).

Split – but not divided

Intricacies surrounding land ownership raised concerns about the legal position from the outset and required significant involvement from Energetics. Cruden Homes East was the lead developer and was ultimately responsible for the appointment of the Multi-utility Contractor. With two developers working on the project, our contract had to be split between them, effectively giving Energetics two clients.

We needed to ensure that our work complied with the landowner’s design code. Our plans also had to allow for the enabling work for Phase 2, the future servicing of the commercial units and allow for renewables and Electric Vehicle Charging Points.

Alastair Reid, Technical Director at CHE:
“From day one, Energetics Design and Build has been attentive and listened to our concerns regarding the development, responding quickly where required. Energetics has continued to work closely with ourselves in relation to proposed landowner design constraints and, despite the added complication and delays due to lockdown, are now progressing steadily with both delivery of off-site and on-site works”.

No Obligation Proposal