National Grid, compound yard request, key points please

[Doing it for the kids]

We have a unique location next to some NG infrastructure.

They need to do some urgent work and are interested in converting some of our adjacent field to a compound.

Similar happened 10 yrs back, it wasnt left as agreed and we had to mess about subsoiling.

They want a site meeting, I’ve gone back asking questions first. I think I have they key points to nail early on but have I missed any?

- top soil stripped and kept separate.
- we get to keep the aggregate they use, hopefully virgin.
- they reinstate field like for like
- need fixed time frames, will try and increase rates after a set period and hope they find a newt or two so have delays
- maybe a deposit to cover remedial works upfront
- crop loss compensation etc

What’s the going rate £/m2, any recent comparables please?
What’s a fair rate £/hr if we don’t use an agent? I bet they will charge £2.5k for such jobs.

Planning on being fairly bullish, they don’t have a good plan b and have caused me plenty of grief before!

Have I missed anything?

 

[yellow belly]

Get them to pay in advance

 

[Jerry]

No time limit on reparations for problems that arise down the line...National Grid put in a big gas pipe here 24 years ago, Im still getting concrete blocks rise to the surface, in fact found one today.

Last claim for loss of production was 5 years ago, another one will be going in this year.

Various parts of the route they dug big holes to join the pipe as it wnt under lanes and at bends in the route. Nothing grows there to date.

 

[dun tilling]

AGENT

 

[nick...]

Tell em to go elsewhere.they will do as they please and screw you over.was asked to use yard here for pylons but I refused so they will use a field which I got no choice over.i will get to keep over 5000 tons of type one granit according to their agents,foc
nick...

 

[spark plug]

Get them to pay as though they are going to leave without reinstating the land and anything they do is a bonus.

Also if you want or need a bigger electric supply or 3 phase bargain this in too.

 

[Nearly]

@dannewhouse ?

 

[76masseyman]

I believe the Lincolnshire farmers that were affected by the Viking link wind farm connection, were going to keep all the aggregate used on their land. The quarry supplying it had a different idea, cleverly hidden in the small print.

 

[britishblue]

We once let an old yard in village to builders who were employed to build 8 social houses and it turned into a real pain trying to get the agreed sum. They wanted to negotiate after the job! Never again!

 

[Oliveau]

We have a unique location next to some NG infrastructure.

They need to do some urgent work and are interested in converting some of our adjacent field to a compound.

Similar happened 10 yrs back, it wasnt left as agreed and we had to mess about subsoiling.

They want a site meeting, I’ve gone back asking questions first. I think I have they key points to nail early on but have I missed any?

- top soil stripped and kept separate.
- we get to keep the aggregate they use, hopefully virgin.
- they reinstate field like for like
- need fixed time frames, will try and increase rates after a set period and hope they find a newt or two so have delays
- maybe a deposit to cover remedial works upfront
- crop loss compensation etc

What’s the going rate £/m2, any recent comparables please?
What’s a fair rate £/hr if we don’t use an agent? I bet they will charge £2.5k for such jobs.

Planning on being fairly bullish, they don’t have a good plan b and have caused me plenty of grief before!

Have I missed anything?

The aggregate will be full of Terram and mud. Better to make them clear it up completely.
My advice is keep your distance and use a good agent to do everything on your behalf.
Better to do the reinstatement yourself, or employ your own contractor, all paid by NG.
Your time would be £50/hr plus disbursements (eg phone calls)
What size compound? £??/ week depending on area.

 

[robs1]

We had rail track here last summer had about 750 sq MTRS they paid £500 a week,

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Thanks everyone.

To be clear they aren’t doing any work on the land, did that years ago.

It’s just storage to access a strategic bit very close by.

We had the aggregate last time and it was fine to be fair.

The compound needs to go, don’t want any planning hassle there.

£/m is the key question now…

 

[Forkdriver]

There isn't a fixed rate per M2. Get too greedy and they go elsewhere, but if they really want it they will pay a lot for the convenience of being handy. I used to have to negotiate loads of these, and paid silly money on occasion when the scheme over ran and we had agreed a weekly rate.

 

[Boohoo]

If they didn't leave it as agreed last time why would you let them in again?

 

[Doing it for the kids]

There isn't a fixed rate per M2. Get too greedy and they go elsewhere, but if they really want it they will pay a lot for the convenience of being handy. I used to have to negotiate loads of these, and paid silly money on occasion when the scheme over ran and we had agreed a weekly rate.

I know there isn’t a fixed rate but hearing what others have recently achieved is helpful. I’m yet to gauge scale and time frames which will reflect rates.

If they didn't leave it as agreed last time why would you let them in again?

1) I wasn’t involved last time - unlike Dad this sort of thing is far from Alien to me, hence ditching agent perhaps.
2) based on current wheat prices, it’s really not hard to earn more from this little job than the whole field! Thus v much worth some time in here on reconnaissance…

 

[Wings on my sleeve]

There's a road project near me , it's overrun and owners of land that the works compound is on circa 2 ha, full of portacabins have served notice agreed period is up they want land back.
Contractors running project say it will cost 120k to move compound , they don't want the hassle of a move so have paid land owners the 120k to allow them to leave it as is .

 

[Tamar]

Just ask them what they are prepared to pay ?

At least then you can say yes or no.

If there is no plan B, you might be surprised

 

[Levelsman]

I believe the Lincolnshire farmers that were affected by the Viking link wind farm connection, were going to keep all the aggregate used on their land. The quarry supplying it had a different idea, cleverly hidden in the small print.

I have heard of this happening on the NG T-pylon project through Somerset.
The aggregate is 'leased' from the quarry, not 'bought' - then moves onto the next site. Apparently being hauled into Gravity site north of Bridgwater where Tata may end up building a large vehicle battery factory.
Probably helps with recycling/green credentials and avoids tax on quarrying.

 

[Banana Bar]

Why wouldn’t you use an agent? They will pay your costs.

BB

 

[crashbox]

How long for?

A week? A year? We think a year but could be two?

Work on the basis that you're.sellibg the land...