Ayre Offshore Wind Farm

CHALLENGE

To identify and secure 45 no. Options for a Servitude and associated access and temporary Land Rights over a 22km cable route from landfall to grid substation together with the acquisition of a new substation site in an area already heavily affected by grid infrastructure. Referencing and consulting over an area of 400 Ha to maintain broad optioneering routes during the route, environmental and engineering studies/selection process.

Local opposition to some sections and ongoing social media campaign. Objections anticipated against the planning application being submitted in June 2025.

Several sections of commercial forestry were identified and interaction with Network Rail.

SOLUTION

Provide experienced staff to undertake title and on-site searches and deliver a book of reference and additional updates in a short timescale with supporting title information available to reduce solicitor involvement.

Savills wayleave officers, experienced in negotiating similar schemes were able to formulate the voluntary Land consenting strategy, prepare budgets clearly justifying levels of offer and securing agreements whilst recognising landowners' concerns.

Savills regular attendance at project workshops and drop-in sessions helped with landowner and community liaison. This resulted in twin-tracking some route sections and sensitive managing of Grantors expectations.

A parallel CPO process along the entire route was withdrawn when voluntary agreements were successfully obtained. Maintaining a professional, honest and transparent approach in all dealings assisted in achieving this.

Savills forestry team agreed forestry protocol for access, crossing and stacking points with the affected estate forestry advisors and acceptable levels of Tree Crop Compensation and other mitigation measures for mutual benefit both during and post construction.

During the construction phase Savills were asked to provide a locally based ALO – Agricultural Officer who acted as a link between the Landowners, Occupiers and Project/Construction teams. This proved crucial in ensuring mitigation and avoiding conflict in mutual land operations and activities as well as minimising possible additional claims for compensation.

RESULTS - AS AT JULY 2025

• All voluntary Land Rights HOT’s agreed.
• Sub-station acquisition HOTs agreed and legal completion of Option to Purchase to completed.
• Construction commenced on scheduled.