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Introduction Our Projects Added Value
“The judges said this entry was a breath of fresh air to read. Iceni stood out as different, creative, colourful and innovative. They’ve not been afraid to break away from the mould and be themselves, having developed their own successful and imaginative approach to clients and staff offering above and beyond what is expected from a large consultancy.
“The judges were especially impressed by Iceni’s tribal ethos, in the sense that they have created a culture which is staff focused and highlights the importance of their wellbeing above all else.”
Introduction | A Multi-skilled Consultancy
RENEWABLE POWER
Formed in 2005, Iceni is now the market leader and preferred consultancy for a fast-growing number of clients. We have always sought to provide the skills of an advisor with the instincts of a developer.
We achieve this by knowing our tradecraft – the technical skills that come through years of education and on-the-job experience that is recognised by professional accreditation. But it is also daring to be different; being proactive and thinking strategically. Our client relationships are built on trust, togetherness, enthusiasm, and a courage to challenge, where appropriate. The technical specialisms that the company hold have widened, but this fundamental objective remains the same. We are committed to putting our client’s interests first – and providing them with the tools to significantly improve their performance.
Delivering the renewable infrastructure the UK urgently needs to achieve a greener, net – zero future is an inordinate and urgent task. Iceni has the right skillset to help our clients navigate the planning process to accelerate the roll-out of renewables.
The Need
The need for a clean, reliable, and affordable energy mix has never been so critical. Each renewable power project is a step towards tackling the climate crisis, a contribution to the country’s economy, and providing energy security to communities and businesses. Iceni’s Renewable Power Team specialise in demonstrating these environmental, economic, and social benefits of renewable infrastructure to present the strongest possible planning case on behalf of our clients.
The Opportunity
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2021
Ian Anderson Chief Executive
Renewable energy has grown ten-fold since 2004 and the UK looks on track to continue to increase renewable generation – with renewable energy sources making up 42.8% of the UK’s total electricity generation between October and December 2021.
It’s anticipated that the UK’s renewable capacity will increase dramatically over the next decade. Plans are already in action to increase offshore wind’s output from 11 GW to 50 GW by 2030, while solar capacity could grow five-fold from 14 GW to roughly 70 GW in the same period.
The Solution
Iceni’s dynamic team brings a highly collaborative and proactive approach to each project. We are unique in that we have the commercial mindset of developer combined with technical experts to ensure proposals protect and enhance the natural environment. We start by understanding our client’s priorities and business processes. Drawing upon our experience spanning planning, design, and numerous technical specialisms, we identify suitable development sites, contribute to the development of a project brief, and provide initial feasibility reports Our evidence based approach ensures that planning and environmental factors are considered from the outset, informing ongoing design development and shaping the project’s planning strategy through to submission. Iceni’s Renewable Power Team have the proven track record, knowledge, and experience to provide expert advice in this ever expanding sector.
Renewable Power Introduction
OUR SERVICES
The following list identifies our core services.
Identifying opportunities: having understood our client’s requirements we work with a network of agents to identify sites that would be suitable for development from a planning perspective. By applying strategic planning expertise we can take a long-term view that marries immediate operational requirements with aspirations to maximise land value.
Preparing, submitting, and managing planning applications: due to their complex nature and political sensitivity, most applications require a compelling planning case to be presented, underpinned by technical reports and an effective engagement strategy. Iceni typically act in a leading consultant capacity to co-ordinate and manage projects through the planning application process.
Planning and environmental input to for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPS): Iceni provide planning advice, EIA coordination and specialist input for Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and Section 36 applications for renewable energy projects, working on behalf of clients from the pre-application stage, through to examination.
Environmental Impact Assessment: large scale renewable energy projects are likely to be EIA developments. Our EIA team provides upto-date, innovative, and comprehensive advice; coordinating large project teams to prepare and
Environmental Statement. Alongside EIA we provide wider reports to create a compelling case for development, including:
Climate Impact Assessments
Economic Benefit Assessments
Health Impact Assessments
Socio Economic Assessments
Whole Life Carbon Assessments
Social Value Assessments
Consultation and engagement: most development requires sensitive consultation with local communities and Councillors. Iceni’s in-house Engagement team work with local stakeholders to mitigate planning risk and understand political appetite for development.
OUR CLIENTS & PROJECTS
Iceni is privileged to be working with a vast range of clients in the energy sector at present -
End Users and Operators
Investment Funds
Strategic landowners
Local Authorities
Land Agents
We provide further information on the projects we are currently working on later in this brochure, this includes:
Solar / PV projects
Wind farms
Energy Recovery Facilities
Battery Storage
Recycling Facilities
Biogas
Emerging technologies such as hydrogen.
Your Strategic Adviser
Colmore Building
Colmore Circus Birmingham, B4 6AT
0121 262 4148
The Team Structure of Iceni
Hill Street
EH2 3JZ
0131 370 3486
Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH
020 3640 8508
West George Street
G2 2LW
0141 465 4996
Dalton Place
John Dalton Street
M2 6FW
0161 509 2840
INNOVATIVE
We create a compelling narrative for each project, justifying and proving why a scheme is valuable to society.
CONNECTED
Working with a network of developers, agents, public and private andowners and specialist consultants.
DYNAMIC
Our multidisciplinary team work across projects of all scales, using multiple management systems and team structures
The Renewable Power Team
COMMERCIAL
We understand the value of and, advising clients of the most advantagous uses for their andholdings.
PASSIONATE
Delivering schemes that provide a clean and sustainable source of energy for businesses and communities aligns with the heart of Iceni’s purpose.
INFORMED
We pride ourselves in being up to date with national and local policy, standards, pl anning decisions and market trends
James Waterhouse Director, Planning jwaterhouse@iceniprojects.com
Leona Hannify Director, Planning lhannify@iceniprojects.com
James Jaulim Director, Impact Management jjaulim@iceniprojects.com
Gary Mappin Director, Planning gmappin@iceniprojects.com
Jon Wright
Associate, Strategic Planning jwright@iceniprojects.com
Sam Griffiths
Associate Director, Landscape sgriffiths@iceniprojects.com
Grace Wileman
Sr. Consultant, Iceni Futures gwileman@iceniprojects.com
Introduction
Our Projects Added Value
Caledonia Solar Park Glasgow
Authority: Glasgow City Council
Proposal: Erection of a Solar Farm and associated infrastructure
Services: Planning | Impact Management | Archaeology Built Heritage and Townscape Socio-Economics
Status: Ongoing
Iceni Projects are providing strategic planning advice to Derwent London Green Energy Ltd in respect of a proposed solar farm development at Lochfauld Farm in north Glasgow.
Our role involves the co-ordination of a large multi-disciplinary team to advise on planning strategy, environmental impact assessment, archaeology, heritage, socio-economics and consultation with the local community and key stakeholders. This pioneering and innovative project would be the first groundmounted solar farm within the Glasgow City Council boundary.
The proposed solar park development will involve the installation of ground mounted photovoltaic panels with associated infrastructure to generate up to 18.4MW of renewable energy which will feed directly into the local electricity grid network, and positively contribute towards national energy targets, in particular the Government’s target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Glasgow City Council issued a minded to grant decision on the planning application in 2022 and work is ongoing with our client to prepare information to discharge planning conditions and make a site start.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to work on a large-scale solar park within the Glasgow City Council boundary.
Caledonia Solar Park
Glasgow
Feasibility and Site Finding
Working with our clients we can help identify suitable sites for renewable energy generation. From the very initial stage of a project, Iceni can advise on the constraints and opportunities affecting a site.
An initial desk-top review is undertaken to consider the following matters:
Roads and access opportunities and constraints
Residential receptors
Landscape and visual constraints
Soils including peat
Nature designations
Heritage designations
Core paths, rights of way
Tourism and other visual receptors
Physical site constraints including overhead lines or gas mains
Development plan policy position / site designations
Working with trusted advisors, we can supplement this with an initial grid capacity review to provide certainty on the potential for a grid connection at the site. We also work with trusted advisors to provide advice on potential radar constraints.
The initial desk top review is accompanied by recommendations on next steps and a risk rating.
Site constraints plans are prepared to visually reflect the key opportunities and constraints of the site.
A detailed Planning Review reports supplements the above with intelligence relevant to the site search area. This includes an overview of relevant planning history in the Local Authority area, a review of relevant policies and consideration of the political make up of the administration. Planning strategy advice is provided to inform the next steps. This includes consideration for the scale of the project, the potential planning determination route, likely environmental constraints and timescales.
This initial advice is invaluable to our clients to inform investment decisions. Working across multidisciplines, Iceni is well placed to provide this initial up front review and strategy advice.
Energy Generation & Recycling Facilities Eastleigh
Authority: Hampshire County Council
Proposal: Solar array and energy recovery centre
Services: Planning
Iceni Projects has acted on all planning matters relating to the site at Chickenhall Lane, Eastleigh since 2013 where a range of application for energy and recycling facilities have come forward.
This has involved securing planning consent for
an Energy Recovery Facility and Solar Array in 2014;
Open Storage uses in 2018
Flexible Energy Generation Plant in 2020 &
Glass Recycling Plant in 2022.
Iceni led on the planning consultancy process in terms of the planning application preparation, the community consultation, engagement with key stakeholders up to the determination of the planning applications. Our role has also involved securing discharge of conditions for the various proposals. While the proposals have been well supported by the local community, there have been a host of environmental challenges which needed to be resolved through the planning application process including ecology / River Itchen, drainage and flood risk, impact on the rail line and potential impact on the aviation. The planning applications for the various uses required a wide range of inputs which Leona and the planning team coordinated in order to secure a positive resolution.
Lightsource BP (Secondment)
Iceni have previously undertaken a secondment with Lightsource BP to resource their workload within their in-house planning team.
The role involved:
Working with a range of contractors and project managers to evidence compliance with all planning obligations and conditions related to a £1 billion portfolio of operational sites owned by Blackrock and Lightsource. This included liaising with officers at local authorities to ensure construction works had been undertaken as approved;
Undertaking site visits and site appraisals to advise on development prospects;
Presenting alongside the Development Team on the planning risks for potential new sites in the development pipeline; and
Working alongside the technical and design departments on emerging proposals and preparing pre-application advice requests.
DCO/Section 36
Iceni’s renewable power team brings considerable experience in applications for large scale energy generation, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects requiring Development Consent Orders in England and Section 36 applications in Scotland.
We are currently supporting one of Scotland’s leading commercial property companies, reviewing a portfolio of potential sites for largescale energy generation. Our role includes consideration of multiple methods of generation and storage including wind, solar and green hydrogen.
Iceni’s Renewable Power Team are also providing environmental services to Arun District Council in relation to the Rampion 2 offshore wind farm, comprising up to 90 new turbines and associated infrastructure, with an installed capacity of up to 1200MW. Iceni’s EIA team, supported by a series of technical specialisms, are ensuring that adequate consultation takes place, engaging in pre-application discussions, preparing the Local Impact Report and supporting the Council at Examination Hearings.
Individuals within the Renewable Power Team also bring considerable experience of NSIPs from previous roles, including:
Longfield Solar Farm: Landscape Planning
Gate Burton Solar Farm: Landscape Advisor
Heathrow Airport, Third Runway Expansion: DCO Planning Manager
Thames Tideway Tunnel: Consents Manager
HS2 Phase 2b: Employment Lead
Luton Airport Expansion: Economic Assessment
Wind Farm, West Sussex: EIA, Planning and Economics.
Renewable Energy Fund
Nationwide
Authority: n/a
Proposal: National network of energy recovery centres
Services: Planning
Status: Ongoing
Iceni Projects act as lead planning advisors to Clean Power Properties Ltd in respect of their renewable energy portfolio which involves the development of a network of localised Energy Recovery Centres throughout the UK.
Iceni Projects provided advice to CPPL on the suitability of the site at Due Diligence stage and following this, Iceni were responsible for the management of the planning application up to the point of determination. Iceni Projects role involves the co-ordination of a large multi-disciplinary team, advice on planning strategy, consultation with the local community and key stakeholders and responsibility for the submission of the planning application.
Iceni have taken in the order of ten sites through the planning process for Clean Power Properties on a complex range of sites located throughout the UK.
Inchinnan Solar Park
Renfrewshire
Authority: Renfrewshire Council
Proposal: Erection of Solar Park and associated infrastructure
Services: Planning | Socio-Economics
Status: Planning Permission Granted
Iceni Projects are providing strategic planning advice to Mactaggart & Mickel Investments Ltd in relation to a proposed solar park in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire.
The proposed development will see the installation of ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels and associated infrastructure to generate up to 14.3 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy on a 41ha site, to feed directly into the local electricity grid network in Renfrewshire, and positively contribute towards national renewable energy targets.
Iceni were responsible for pre-application engagement with Renfrewshire Council, and management of the planning application post-submission. Iceni acted as lead consultant and were responsible for the management of the design team, co-ordinating the planning application and negotiating with the local authority. A key issue throughout the determination period for the scheme involved working closely with the landscape consultant and the local authority to remove an objection from NatureScot in relation to whooper swans, as the site was located 0.75 km north of a Special Protection Area which supports a non-breeding wintering population of whooper swan.
Iceni provided Socio-Economic input to the application and public consultation process too.
The planning application was unanimously supported by Members of the Renfrewshire Planning and Climate Change Policy Board in January 2023.
Introduction
Our Projects
Added Value
Sustainability Scorecard
A clear demonstration of how the benefits of renewable energy and low carbon technology development outweigh any potential drawbacks – particularly where a proposal may encounter resistance from local communities or other stakeholders – can be invaluable. This is why Iceni has developed the Sustainable Development Scorecard.
The Scorecard is a bespoke tool that quantitatively assesses the extent to which a development is sustainable, using the equal pillars of environmental, economic and social sustainability. By considering schemes from multiple angles – be that accounting for potential impacts on the natural environment, the social infrastructure that may be delivered, or the contributions that may be made to local employment opportunities – the Sustainable Development Scorecard comprehensively demonstrates and highlights the benefits of proposals.
The Scorecard provides easy-to-understand graphics and infographics that can be used to provide decision takers with compelling justifications to grant planning permission for development. Demonstrations of why one site may be better suited than others for renewable energy and low carbon technology development can also be provided using the tool, which can be particularly important in Development Plan promotion.
iSite pulls together a number of services to enable the promoter of a project – but equally the respective consultant, local authority, consultee, local community and wider interested party – to gain the knowledge and understanding of a site or location that historically has only been possible from an in-depth site visit. Moreover, many projects are of the size and scale that even a physical site visit renders difficult to comprehend.
The key focus of iSite is to provide an intelligent digital design and consultation tool. This incorporates the use of drone photography, 360° camerawork (think Google Street View for buildings), interactive, virtual consultation halls and project web sites that can pool together all of the information for effective file management and sharing. So whether you need to initiate an initial site survey appraisal, team site visit, pre-application meeting, public consultation event or committee presentation, iSite can help.
iSite wont be for everyone. We understand that. But if you are looking for cost-effective ways to progress with your proposals, it could be the answer.
To discuss iSite please email isite@iceniprojects.com
Edinburgh: 14-18 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JZ
Glasgow: 201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW
London: Da Vinci House, 44 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH
Manchester: WeWork, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6FW
www.iceniprojects.com