Sites of Historical and Cultural significance

Leep Utilities (Leep) is a multi-utility network owner and operator, responsible for the adoption of electricity, water and heat networks at new developments across the country.  The company also specialises in networks on heritage sites. Adam Giblin, Director of Operations, explores what is required to successfully work on sites with historical and cultural significance.

Leep has a proven track record of working on innovative waterfront redevelopments and the reimaging of landmark sites across the UK, including the Battersea Power Station Development in South London.

An ambitious regeneration project, alongside the redevelopment of the Grade II* listed landmark, the site includes a range of residential, retail, and commercial units. The Battersea Power Station Development sees Leep managing a blended network and the implementation of substations to support further planned development across the one-mile waterfront site.

Working on a development of such cultural and historic significance has presented several complex challenges. However, we are seasoned in working on nationally significant redevelopment projects, and so the team have ensured that the challenging nature of the site has not impacted the business’ ability to deliver straightforward connections, sticking to pre-agreed timeframes and methods of working to facilitate the dynamic nature of such builds.

In addition to its ongoing work with Battersea, the business is responsible for the energisation of Wood Wharf - Canary Wharf’s new district and the historic Liverpool Waters site.

Canary Wharf’s new district, Wood Wharf is a mixed-use waterside community comprising more than 3,300 homes and nearly 2 million square feet of shops, restaurants and community facilities. The Wood Wharf development will substantially broaden the Canary Wharf estate by 23 acres.

A huge development for the country’s capital, the team were tested when ensuring that the safe, efficient energisation and operation of assets were maintained without impacting the project timelines, whilst also being at the centre of an active masterplan building site. Through working closely with the team’s development and delivery partners, safe working procedures were agreed, and responsibilities confirmed, which ensured a phased energisation programme could be facilitated and the client’s expectations could be met.

One of the biggest regeneration projects in Europe, Liverpool Waters features over 20 million square feet of residential, business and leisure space, bringing life back to Liverpool’s historic docklands.

Owned and managed by Peel L&P, the £5 billion project is transforming Liverpool’s waterfront, and completely restoring the city’s Northern Docks from the edge of the already established Princes Dock, 2km north along the waterfront until it reaches Bramley Moore Dock – the proposed site for the new Everton Football Club stadium.

Leep was appointed to own and operate the new network, allowing Liverpool Waters to secure capacity for future phases. A redevelopment breathing life back into the area, we see Leep’s assets as the arteries - allowing these projects to grow and progress.

This is often a tricky role when faced with a 400+ year old dock infrastructure; load requirements have increased substantially, and extra support has been required for the next phase, but the team have been working tirelessly to ensure the project could evolve.

What’s more, Liverpool Waters is a UNESCo World Heritage Site, which presents unique, archaeological challenges. Working closely with Peel L&P and master-plan developers, we ensure the site vision is met - be that low carbon, future proofing or flexible energy systems, whilst avoiding any issues.

Alongside the acquisition of Liverpool Waters, Leep works with MediaCityUK, one of Europe’s leading creative, tech and digital hubs and home to BBC North, ITV and Kellogg’s. Previously the site of Manchester Docks, it was no easy feat to transform it into what it is today, but the venture became one of the first and largest urban regeneration projects in the UK. As a development partner, Leep continues to work with relevant parties on the long-term utility master planning of the site.

The first bank of land Leep delved into was an asset of Peel L&P who own multiple waterways. Working hand-in-hand with their expert team, we regenerate these heritage, industrial sites to the best of our ability, turning them into key developments for the communities which they serve.