Press releases

Pylons and power lines aren't permanent

A vibrant, small business is helping make the most of the region's land resource by challenging our preconceptions of the permanency of pylons
and power lines.

Hamer Associates, based at the University of Warwick Science Park's Innovation Centre, Blythe Valley Solihull is finding its knowledge and skills increasingly in demand by developers and landowners. Charles Hamer, (title) explains. "Land for development is becoming increasingly scarce. This means that sites that previously may not have been considered for domestic or commercial development, because they had pylons or cables crossing the land, are being re-evaluated. That's where we can help."

Charles goes on to explain that there are many assumptions regarding electricity lines and infrastructure. "People often assume that if a line existed when the land was purchased, that nothing can be done, that a proposed development is compromised. This is not the case. Power lines can be removed, re-routed or buried and if none of these options are viable-then there's always compensation from the supplier."

Power distribution and infrastructure also changes with the economy. These changes can provide opportunities to make land more valuable. For instance in the Black Country, with the decline of heavy industry, some power lines have been made redundant or have been re routed to retail developments.

Hamer Associates are notching up considerable achievements on behalf of their clients. Settlements have included £3m for lines crossing a specialist site, £1.25m for lines crossing a residential site and £130k and a line removed from a residential development.

Although the company works on a strategic basis with nationally known clients it also helps smaller clients. Recently it advised an Allotment Association in north Birmingham, "After all," Charles comments, "We like to think we have our feet firmly planted on the ground."

16/08/2004