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Case Study – Steven Homes New Build Development, Devon

Site: Land at West Road, Sheepwash, Devon
Customer: Stevens Homes Ltd


We helped save Steven Homes over £20,000 on new build utilities costs for their beautiful new build development in Devon.


The brief

  • To arrange and coordinate the installation of electric and water new build utilities
  • This is to serve 26 plots for a new build residential development
  • 7 units having PV installation
  • To include 1 temporary electric connection for welfare facilities
  • 9 street light connections including street furniture

Summary of activity

Powersave Direct submitted tender applications to numerous IDNO’s, DNO and also competing water authorities. Stevens Homes were provided with the most competitive costs because we obtained numerous proposals for works. This keeps infrastructure costs as low as possible. Powersave Direct obtained asset plans and had already identified the nearest water main capable of serving the development was 185 metres away from the site entrance.

The electric point of connection provided by the DNO was some 145 metres from the site entrance. Powersave Direct awarded the project to the most competitive tenderers and began organising and coordinating pre start meetings. Substantial planning needed to be undertaken to bring the water and electric infrastructure along a narrow country lane for almost 200 metres. The off site works had to be coordinated to fit in alongside the teams drainage works and existing permits.

A pre start meeting organised by Powersave Direct was held with various personnel. This included the site team, ground worker and delivery personnel from the tendered companies. Pre start meetings are vital to the fluidity of works. These ensure all personnel know their roles and responsibilities and that the construction program is available and understood, particularly with such extensive off site works being required.

Powersave Direct went on to coordinate the off site water mains laying, along with road closure owing to the duration of works and road width. We scheduled on site water and electric mains in line with the site’s requirements. Plot connections requests as and when required, liaising with the site team and the planning teams from the appointed companies. We ensure the delivery of all materials to site when requested and we complete each plot connection inclusive of meters.

The benefits of using Powersave Direct for your new build utilities

The DNO identified the point of electric connection as being 145m from the site entrance. It was also coming from a pole located in third party owned private land.
Until legal consents had been obtained from the unknown third party land owner, the point of connection could not be completed.
Negotiating with a third party land owner who has no interest in your development can be both challenging and costly and have significant delays on live infrastructure being provided. The effects of any delays to making infrastructure live can be catastrophic. This can have an impact on completions and sales.

During the initial pre start meeting when we attend site after surveying the surrounding network, we submitted a request for the electric point of connection to be reassessed. The DNO undertook capacity checks and agreed an alternative point of connection to a pole within the vicinity of the development.

This saved on the need to negotiate legal consents with a third party land owner. It also saved the need to excavate 145m of public highway. This had a massive impact on the delivery of the project but also financially, with the cost savings being in excess of £20,000.

What Powersave Direct provided Stevens Homes

  • One point of contact to organise water infrastructure, electric infrastructure, street lighting
    furniture and meters
  • A massive cost saving in excess of £20,000 on electric infrastructure alone post tender award
  • Prevented costly and timely legal negotiations

New build utilities

To discuss your new build utilities, get in touch with one of our team today.

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Craig Greenaway

Tell us fun facts about you!

  1. I love Mexican food
  2. Jurassic Park is my favourite film
  3. My favourite band is Skindred
  4. I love music and my favourite instrument is the drums

Mandie Brown

Tell us 5 fun facts about you!
  1. Enjoy fitness – I’ve ran 2 marathons (though equally vowed never again after each one!)
  2. I love being by the sea
  3. Favourite authors are Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick
  4. I love musical theatre
  5. The run up to Christmas is my favourite time of year