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A Multi-Skilled Consultancy
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.
Your Strategic Advisors
Ian Anderson
Chief Executive
Andrew Gale
Chief Operating Officer
We’re proud to say that we’re an award-winning consultancy. We’ve a positive, creative mindset, and we’re passionate about what we do.
James Bompas
Director | Business Devt. & Strategic Planning
Claire Cogar Director
Laurie Handcock Director
Silke Gruner Director
Kieron Hodgson
Nick Walker Director
Jonathan Stewart Director Nick Ireland Director
Matt Kinghan Director Paul McColgan Director
Callum Fraser Director
Gary Mappin Director
Gemma Gallant Director
Ian Gallacher
Director Ian Mayhead
Director
Director
Lewis Westhoff
Director Lorna O’Carroll
Director Nick Grant
Director
James Jaulim Director
James Waterhouse
Director
Simon Fowler Director
Jamie Sullivan
Director
Clive Burbridge
Director
John Mumby Director
Rob Amey
Director
Renewable Power
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
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.
Our 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 up-to-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:
f Climate Impact Assessments
f Economic Benefit Assessments
f Health Impact Assessments
f Socio Economic Assessments
f Whole Life Carbon Assessments
f 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 -
f End Users and Operators
f Investment Funds
f Strategic landowners
f Local Authorities
f Land Agents
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, socioeconomics and consultation with the local community and key stakeholders. This pioneering and innovative project would be the first ground-mounted 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.
Renewable Energy & Low Carbon Infrastructure
Sector Showcase
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
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:
f Roads and access opportunities and constraints
f Residential receptors
f Landscape and visual constraints
f Soils including peat
f Nature designations
f Heritage designations
Energy Generation & Recycling Facilities Eastleigh
Authority: Hampshire County Council
Proposal: Solar array and energy recovery centre
Services: Planning
Status: Ongoing
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
f an Energy Recovery Facility and Solar Array in 2014;
f Open Storage uses in 2018 ;
f Flexible Energy Generation Plant in 2020 &
f 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
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:
f 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;
f Undertaking site visits and site appraisals to advise on development prospects;
f Presenting alongside the Development Team on the planning risks for potential new sites in the development pipeline; and
f 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:
Renewable Energy Fund Nationwide
Authoity: 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 nonbreeding wintering population of whooper swan.
Sam Griffiths Associate Ditector, Landscape
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07795 450 544
E: sgriffiths@iceniprojects.com
Sam brings a highly collaborative approach to landscape planning and design, seeking to embed landscape-led design principles to craft a scheme that is responsive to a site and its surroundings.
Sam is an Associate Landscape Architect at Iceni specialising in landscape planning. His experience covers a broad range of developments including renewable energy, residential and commercial applications. Sam is proficient in the preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments and production of evidence base documents for development plans. He is also at the forefront of planning for green infrastructure, having prepared borough and city-wide strategies and training for consultants and local authority officers. He is also a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute.
Much of Sam’s experience has been working on complex projects as part of multidisciplinary teams, including preparation of landscape planning and design deliverables for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Sam also brings experience of reviewing planning applications for compliance with planning policy, experience gained via a secondment to the Greater London Authority where he also worked as part of a team preparing London Plan Guidance. Sam also enjoys working in urban environments, having prepared a number of Townscape and Visual Impact Assessments, including providing review and assessment of tall buildings.
Added Value SDS
Irrespective of the scale, complexity or societal benefits of a development proposal, it will always attract local opposition, which makes decision taking harder.
Iceni prides itself on formulating new, distinct and innovative tools and techniques for demonstrating why new development should be supported and why it will have positive transformational positive effects on communities.
We have developed our own techniques for formulating development proposals, operating at the local level within communities to identify how developments can have the greatest effect on peoples lives, and be delivered in a highly successful and sustainable way.
Added Value Iceni Intelligence
Whilst Iceni is a national consultancy, we pride ourselves on having a thorough local understanding of the communities we are seeking to change. We therefore have a suite of area based experts to understand, monitor and identify planning and political change across geographic areas.
This work extends beyond monitoring of Local Plans and considers issues such as the political composition and priorities of an area. Objectively Assessed Need and signs of market failure across the full use spectrum from housing, through employment to social and transport infrastructure. We also monitor significant planning decisions and the ways in which planning policies are applied in practice through casework decisions at Planning Committees and the Planning Inspectorate. This work greatly enhances the quality of the commercial advice we provide.
SURREY
GREATER LONDON
HAMPSHIRE BERKSHIRE
DORSET SOMERSET WILTSHIRE
DEVON
CORNWALL AVON
HERTFORDSHIRE BEDFORDSHIRE
SHIRE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
SHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE WEST MIDLANDS
SHROPSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE
DERBYSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
SHIRE
NORFOLK
SUFFOLK
LINCOLNSHIRE
Added Value iSite
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.
Added Value Place
Sites don’t start with, and aren’t defined by, planning policy. They’re defined by people. And people bring a melting pot of ideas and opinions.
Not everyone will necessarily share the view that a site needs developing, regenerating or renewal, especially in areas undergoing massive amounts of change or those where nothing has happened despite the will to see it happen.
They are sites that often mean more to people than an abstract red line on an OS plan, where physical and social barriers override site boundaries. Where people have a connection to their incidental bit of city they call home.
They have a past, they have a present and a future. Just like people.
Iceni Place delivers an approach that welcomes all of these views, fears, hopes and dreams into a collaborative process built on listening. It starts with people, asking “What does success look like to you?” and ends with a legacy of better places.
Added Value Iceni Futures
The Iceni Futures team was set up in response to the rapidly changing world and the acknowledgment that more than ever, we need to create futureproofed and sustainable development. The teams role is to assess, predict and influence change across the development industry. In practice that means exploring how places and people will function in the future, analysing existing barriers and providing strategic advice which aligns with clients goals and aspirations to ensure development is fit for the future.
The team doesn’t claim to be experts in every new discipline or product, but they understand the existing barriers and outdated development processes that persist across the industry and the importance of working innovatively and smarter to deliver client visions and change that actually works. It’s understood that each client will need tailored advice and the Futures team look to work collaboratively to provide advice which is tailored to a specific site, company strategy or product. Essentially, if you’re looking to plan for or capitalise on the future, Iceni Futures can be there to support you and drive that ambition.
Archaeology | Built Heritage & Townscape | Design | Economics | Engagement | Impact Management
Landscape | Place | Planning | Transport
Birmingham: 20 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT
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 | iceni-projects | iceniprojects