Project: New-build care home
Location: Hatton, Derbyshire
Client: Care home developer
Services: Electricity and water (temporary and permanent supplies)
Scope: Strategy, coordination, and delivery
Key Outcomes:
HV solution redesigned three times without programme delay
Temporary power delivered without reliance on generators
140kW solar PV approved via G99
Commercial risks mitigated through proactive negotiation
The development comprised a 66-bed, 24-hour care facility with a significant and varied electrical demand.
Key load requirements:
140kVA import capacity
Ground Source Heat Pump (~38kW)
2 passenger lifts
3 dual EV charging units (7.3kW per outlet)
Full building services including kitchen, laundry, and medical support systems
This load profile required careful consideration of:
Peak demand and diversity
Future-proofing the connection
Network constraints and capacity availability
This project presented several overlapping risks:
A constrained site on a busy A-road junction
Multiple site layout changes impacting utility infrastructure
Limited availability of temporary electrical capacity
Requirement to disconnect existing gas and electricity supplies
Commercial pressure around an expiring water quotation
Without early coordination, these factors had the potential to delay the programme and increase costs.
We were engaged early to provide a strategic overview of utility requirements, allowing us to:
Assess LV vs HV connection options based on a detailed load profile
Coordinate evolving substation and meter positions with the design team
Manage multiple stakeholders: DNO, ICP, IDNO, and water authority
Develop a phased utility strategy to support the construction programme
Our role focused on actively managing risk, rather than reacting to issues as they arose.
Modern care home developments are placing increasing demand on utility infrastructure due to:
Electrification of heating (heat pumps)
EV charging requirements
24/7 operational demand
Even relatively standard schemes are now approaching the LV to HV tipping point.
Early engagement ensures:
The right connection strategy is selected
Risks are identified and managed early
Programme and cost certainty are maintained
The HV solution required three redesigns due to changing site layouts.
We worked closely with network stakeholders to adapt the design without restarting the process.
The available LV temporary supply provided only partial capacity.
We:
Allocated supply to the tower crane only
Avoided overloading the network
Reduced reliance on generators
The site’s location required careful planning of offsite works.
Early coordination of traffic management and permits avoided delays.
We managed the disconnection of legacy gas and electricity supplies following demolition of the existing building.
The scheme included 140kW of solar PV, requiring G99 approval.
We coordinated the process to ensure compliance and timely approval.
Existing water supply used as a temporary build supply
Successfully negotiated with Severn Trent to extend an expired quotation, avoiding delays and additional costs
ICP appointed for contestable works
IDNO adoption secured, providing programme control and long-term value
Despite multiple design changes and site constraints:
Utility works were delivered in line with programme
Temporary power was managed efficiently without excessive cost
Renewable generation was successfully integrated
Commercial risks were mitigated
The client benefited from a coordinated and adaptable utility strategy, ensuring the development progressed without unnecessary delays.
“Knowing that all elements of the offsite works are handled professionally and efficiently is a big thing for us as a company. The communication and delivery from Shadwick UC is always excellent – even on tricky jobs such as Hatton.”
