Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) Eclipse Power Networks has been selected by Independent Connection Provider (ICP) Total Utility Connections to adopt the network for a brownfield mixed use re-development.
Eclipse Power will adopt the 1.5 MVA high voltage load to the grid, own the electrical assets and maintain the energy network across the site on land near Smiths Farm, Kensington Road, Northolt.
Ealing Council Planning has granted permission for the construction of seven residential buildings to provide 220 residential units and the conversion of existing farmhouse and barns to provide a café and commercial unit.
As a brownfield site, the project at Smiths Farm needs to take into account existing structures including a listed farmhouse and barns that will be sympathetically developed into a café and commercial units in line with listed heritage asset constraints. The site will also include charge points for electric vehicles available for public use. The seven residential buildings will feature air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels to generate solar energy for use on the site.
Plans for the complex re-development went through a number of amendments before planning permission was granted by Ealing Council. The approved proposal includes enhanced landscaping on the brownfield site that has been used as commercial space for lorry parks, workshops, plant yards and storage, increasing amenities for local communities and boosting biodiversity on the site by over the required 10 percent policy.
Lisa Bridgeman, Business Development Manager at Total Utility Connections said:
“Our technical specialists have designed a comprehensive electricity network to provide power to the residents and commercial enterprises on the tricky site. We put the adoption and maintenance of the network out to tender and received a lot of interest.
“After reviewing the tender responses, we appointed Eclipse Power Networks based on their competitive bid and their responsiveness. We know that Eclipse has a great reputation for adopting assets over the long-term, and they will help increase the amenity-value of the development.”
Bhushan Kumar, Senior Business Development Manager at Eclipse Power Networks said:
“For the government and local councils to reach their ambitious house building targets, developments like this are ideal as they remediate contaminated and unattractive brownfield sites for the benefit of local communities.
“Working with Total Utility Connections’ knowledgeable and experienced team gives developers confidence in multi-utility connections, and ultimately ensures the viability of complex projects like the one at Smiths Farm.”
Image courtesy of Eclipse/Total Utility Connections
