Protecting your land rights amid Yorkshire’s infrastructure growth

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at 2:35 pm

At StephensonsRural, we’re seeing a significant rise in infrastructure projects requiring access to our clients’ land and property. Yorkshire is central to this surge, with new developments driven by demand for enhanced infrastructure across utilities, energy and transport.

Our team is experienced in working with statutory undertakers, including:

• Yorkshire Water
• National Grid
• Northern Gas Networks
• Network Rail
• Highways Agency

We’re aware that Yorkshire Water and National Grid have several large-scale projects planned for the coming years. Notable examples include National Grid’s Yorkshire Green Project and the Eastern Green Link, both of which transport power through Yorkshire and beyond. Although this is likely to be frustrating for farmers, who want to be left to farm, these projects also present opportunities and early engagement is essential.

The rights of statutory undertakers are strong, but at StephensonsRural, we advocate for landowners to ensure that farmers’ needs and concerns are respected. For example, we successfully worked with an undertaker to adjust their schedule, allowing a crucial farm road to remain open 24 hours a day, so farming operations could continue without disruption.

There are, of course, compensation options for landowners, and we’ve built strong relationships with statutory undertakers to facilitate fair agreements.

Demand for land access beyond statutory undertakers

As well as statutory infrastructure projects, we are seeing rising interest from private developers for renewable energy projects and infrastructure. These projects, though not statutory, still provide good opportunities for landowners.

Here are some case study examples:

Cable for Large-Scale Solar Scheme

Large-scale energy schemes, such as solar projects, can secure a Development Consent Order (DCO), giving them similar rights as statutory undertakers. In one case, we assisted in negotiating cable placement through one farmer’s land to supply a solar project on an adjacent farmer’s property. Although our negotiation options were limited by the DCO, we achieved a favourable outcome for our client with minimal disruption.

Cable for Small-Scale Battery Scheme

Smaller energy projects don’t have statutory rights, so any third-party land access for cables requires negotiation. Recently, a battery developer sought to lay a cable across our client’s land to access a substation. The alternative route, via the roadside verge, would have been much longer. We successfully negotiated a significant annual payment for our client. Checking the developer’s rights at the outset is essential in cases like these.

Sewage Treatment Works Compound

Yorkshire Water’s contractors needed additional space to carry out internal works at a very constrained treatment site. We arranged for a compound area on behalf of our client, where the contractors made significant improvements to the yard’s condition. A weekly licence fee was agreed upon, and we were able to refer back to this licence regularly to ensure the contractor kept order throughout the project.

Development Compound

A shed developer approached our client about using a yard as a compound for nearby roundabout improvements. Since the yard was unused, this presented an ideal opportunity. We negotiated a six-month rental agreement, turning the space into a valuable income stream for our client.

As demand for rural land access grows in Yorkshire, projects like these will become increasingly common. Our experienced team is here to support you in understanding your rights, negotiating fair agreements and optimising the value of your land during infrastructure projects.

For expert assistance with your land access needs, please get in touch:

Johnny Cordingley MRICS FAAV
jc@stephenson.co.uk
01904 489 731