Category Archives: Utilities and Infrastructure Projects

Electricity Infrastructure issues in Dumfries & Galloway and the top 5 considerations for affected farmers and landowners

Sarah Bennet, Associate, Davidson & Robertson

Knowing what to do when you hear your land may be affected by electricity infrastructure works is not something farmers and landowners tackle every day, but these are issues faced by Sarah Bennett, Associate at Davidson & Robertson, who says there are five key considerations that will make the process easier. Planning approval has recently […]

The new 2030 Clean Energy Plan: the implications, and the effect on farmers

Dawn of New Renewable Energy Technologies. Modern Efficient Sola farming agriculture

Ian Austin, Davidson & Robertson Director and Head of Utilities, Energy and Infrastructure looks at the 2030 Clean Energy Plan and how it will impact farmers. December 2024 saw the launch of the Government’s 2030 Clean Energy Plan, a plan to meet 100% of Great Britain’s electricity demand with clean power by 2030. An outcome […]

Infrastructure update from across Scotland and northern England

D&R Infrastructure update from across Scotland and northern England

D&R is working on infrastructure projects right across Scotland and northern England. Orkney developments: SSE have multiple projects affecting Orkney including overhead and underground reinforcement works, a new substation, an onshore underground HVAC cable and a 53km subsea HVAC cable connecting to the mainland. Alasdair Allan, Associate Director has been in Orkney representing landowners affected […]

Case Study: Malletsheugh Farm’s journey to recover from water pipeline challenges

Davidson & Robertson John Pollock Scottish Water pipeline Malletsheugh Farm Utilities Case Study

Situated in East Renfrewshire, Scotland is Malletsheugh Farm; a beef and sheep farm with a mix of breeding cows and texel cross ewes.  The farm has been affected by a Scottish Water pipeline going through their land. Over the past few years, the pipeline has caused various issues, including drainage problems and losses in agricultural […]

The drive for green energy infrastructure – how can you capitalise on opportunities and protect your business?

The drive for green energy infrastructure – how will it impact you?

Work to create a greener energy infrastructure is going to affect many land owners and tenants across the UK and especially in Scotland where there are ambitious plans to increase renewable energy output from 13.8GW to 20GW by 2030. It is important to remember that these opportunities will only come to fruition through significant upgrades […]

Changes to Permitted Development Rights spark opportunities

Permitted Development Rights (PDR’s) allow agricultural businesses to make changes to existing buildings or erect new agricultural buildings without the need for a full planning application. Recent changes have opened up more opportunities for property owners. In May 2024, England and Wales updated PDR’s, with increased opportunities for agricultural buildings. The new guidelines should make […]

Case Study: D&R supports Carloonan Farm to reverse years of losses

Brian Walker, Carloonan Farm, SSEN Infrastructure project, Pylon in background of farm and land D&R Case Study

Nestled in the charming and tranquil district of Argyll and Bute is Carloonan Farm in Inverary.  The farm has been battling with SSEN for just over a year to get a fair and proper compensation package for disruption caused by the installation of a new overhead line. The line, which is the second project of […]

Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades: Essential guide to protecting your land and business

Davidson & Robertson Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades Essential guide to protecting your land and business: pylons through a farm in Scotland

The drive towards Net-Zero energy requires swathes of electrical infrastructure upgrades across the country to form a network that will support the increased demand for electricity. Historically, energy was generated from a few large power stations, in the future most of this energy will be generated in rural locations. The nature of the electrical lines […]

Grid connection reform – why is it important to landowners?

Davidson & Robertson Grid connection reform – why is it important to landowners? pYLONS IN A FIELD

Proposed reforms to the national grid connection process mean demand from renewables developers for land rights is set to increase massively. For landowners, it opens a new set of opportunities which could be transformative for their businesses. Last year, there was an amnesty for developers who secured a grid connection but did not feel they […]

Case Study: Successfully supporting Kettlehill Farm on Utilities projects

Davidson & Robertson Case Study Successfully supporting Kettlehill Farm on Utilities projects

Situated in the picturesque region of East Dunbartonshire is Kettlehill Farm; a family-owned multigenerational farm with significant land holdings specialising in beef, sheep, and arable farming. The family-farm has been a loyal client of D&R for decades and have trusted Ian Austin and his team to provide advice on a wide range of Utilities, Energy […]