‘Pylons: you can’t live without them, but can you live with them?’

Bruton Knowles’ utility experts Bruce Fowler and Nigel Billingsley were joined by guest speaker Dr Sally Sims, lecturer in real estate and construction at Oxford Brookes University, and leading CPO lawyer Philip Maude from Hammonds to explore a range of subjects relating to the topical issue of electricity pylons and compensation assessment.

Of particular interest to delegates was the experts’ views on the possible impact of the forthcoming publication of a report in the Autumn by SAGE – a stakeholder advisory group set up by ministers in October 2004 which includes representatives of the DoH, the National Grid, the Health Protection Agency and the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Dr Sally Sims, a member of SAGE, offered an insight into her recent research studies gauging the effect of overhead high voltage power lines on property values; Bruton Knowles’ Nigel Billingsley explored the current approaches to land access negotiation, wayleave agreements and compensation assessments and Bruce Fowler debated how the findings and recommendations from the forthcoming SAGE report may impact on current compensation thinking and assessment. Philip Maude from Hammonds explored the issues, procedures and tactics for defending claims, particularly those that are taken all the way to Lands Tribunal.

Patrick Downes, partner and head of utilities at Bruton Knowles comments, “The topicality of the seminar made for an informed and interactive event. With so many issues facing electricity companies, particularly their drive for efficiency and pressure to upgrade their networks and infrastructure against the backdrop of an increasingly powerful claims culture, the opportunity for experts from the across the sector to come together to listen and debate on such key issues is invaluable.

With our specialist expertise spanning utilities and compensation, Bruton Knowles is well placed to facilitate industry debate and be at the forefront of change. Our experts are keeping abreast of the latest thinking in the compensation field to feed back to our electricity clients on further developments as they arise.”

Over the past 15 years, Bruton Knowles has built up a specialist team to advise leading UK electricity companies, including National Grid, Central Networks, Western Power Distribution and SSE Power Distribution. Working with in-house experts, Bruton Knowles’ specialists undertake a full range of property services including strategic property management, site acquisition, compulsory purchase and compensation advice, easements and wayleaves negotiation, rent reviews and lease renewals.