Maximising Value from Utility Easements

We were instructed by a London borough to advise on a third party proposal for the installation of an electric cable across council owned land, covering a route of approximately 15 metres.

The authority required commercially focused advice to ensure that any rights granted delivered appropriate value, protected the council’s asset base, and reflected the long‑term nature of the infrastructure.

Our advice centred on identifying the correct form of easement, ensuring the rights sought were no wider than reasonably necessary and did not adversely impact future development, disposal, or operational use of the land. We worked closely with the authority to assess risk, establish a robust negotiating position, and align the legal structure with the council’s wider commercial and strategic objectives.

Through targeted negotiation, we secured total consideration of £300,000 for the grant of the easement, together with an additional £50,000 contribution to the borough’s community fund. This outcome ensured the council received fair and defensible compensation for the permanent use of its land, while delivering tangible wider benefits to the local area.

This matter reflects our broader practice acting for landowners across the UK on utility infrastructure projects, including electricity cables and gas pipelines. We regularly support landowners in achieving commercially sound outcomes, balancing infrastructure delivery with disciplined asset protection and value maximisation.