Understanding the Utility Application Stage: A Developers Essential Guide

If you are starting a new development or renovation, no matter the size, and you need to amend or add utility connections, then you need to start early. Understanding and navigating the utility application process effectively saves you energy that you need elsewhere in your project.

Here are some of our tips to help you do that effectively:

1. Preparing Your Application

   The application state is your formal request to connect utilities to the network, this applies to water, drainage, electric and gas. In order to prepare for this, starting pulling together documents you need. If you have been through a planning process, then you should have a lot of these things.

   1. Project specifics, site location, project details (residential, commercial or mixed-use), number of units (connections), anticipated energy demand, anything unusual about the development - heat source pumps and EV chargers impacts the load for example.

   2. Documents- detailed site plans, including the site boundaries, technical specifications, surveys completed.

      
      

2. Who to submit it too?

   The right utility operator will depend on where the site is, you can find this out based on the postcode. Each operator has there own processes and requirements, so even if you have done this before, don't assume it will be the same. Application fees may also vary based not only on the operator but on the type of application being submitted.

   
   

3. Design and Quote

   It is usual that once you have submitted the application there are additional questions or requests for information relating to your project. Some operators will automatically initiate a survey of the site when you apply (for example Affinity Water and UKPN both do this).

   At the end of this process they will normally provide you with a drawing showing the Point of Connection (POC) and a quote for the work to be completed.

   
   

4. What to do once you have a quote?

   Firstly, review it. Make sure that it includes everything that you expect, has a breakdown of the price.

   Secondly, have a look at how contestable v's non-contestable items have been broken down. What does this mean -Non-Contestable works are parts of the project that are carried out by the utility operator, where as Contestable works can be carried out by an accredited independent contractor.

   
   

5. Considering Independent Providers

   For the contestable works you can appoint an independent contractor- but you must ensure that they have the correct accreditations to be able to do the work. Looks out for WIRS, NERS and GIRS.

   
   

   Independent contractors can often mean cost savings, shorter connection times and more flexible scheduling to align with your project. If you are connecting more than one utility, then opting for a multi-utility partner can also mean that several utilities can be completed at the same time.

   
   

   Be aware, that where you are disturbing public highways and footpaths you will have to seek approval from the local authority- the time this takes is significant and there is no way to speed up the process. In general, this is often 4 weeks.

   
   

6. Clarify Onsite Expectations

   Ensure your onsite development team clearly understands what you are responsible for as the necessary onsite preparations, trenching and groundwork standards and compliance requirements for things like meter positioning. Not getting this right can result in additional chargers and delays.

   
   

7. Temporary Building Supply (TBS)

   If your project involves demolition and rebuilding you'll likely need to move utilities to a TBS- if this is the case you need to include in applications and factor in the time and costs associated.

All in all they key thing to take away is that these things take time. Being prepared and submitting all the required information upfront helps, but ultimately these things don't happen quickly. So if you take one thing away from this post, it should be to factor in your utilities to your project early.

At Morganised Multi-Utility Consultants, we can support you in managing this process in the most efficient way possible. If that is something that you need support in, then please get in touch contact@morganised.co.uk