Regenerating the former Chatham Docks waterfront through multi-utility network adoption
Multi-Utility
Chatham Waters
Kent, UK
Image credit: Peel Group
Chatham Waters is a major regeneration project located at the mouth of the Medway waterfront peninsula in Kent. Spanning twenty-six acres of former dockland, the development is transforming the historic Chatham Docks area into a world-class mixed-use destination.
The scheme will deliver up to 950 new homes, alongside later living accommodation, commercial space, and retail and leisure uses. Buildings range from 6 to 17 storeys and will be delivered across four planned phases.
The site will also feature a new waterfront boulevard with restaurants, bars, and specialist shops, creating a vibrant community and visitor destination.
Leep Utilities is proud to support this landmark redevelopment through the adoption of essential utility infrastructure.
Leep Utilities adopted:
• Clean water and wastewater networks
• Electricity infrastructure
This multi-utility approach ensures the development is supported by resilient, regulated services from the outset.
The challenge
Chatham Waters presented a number of complex delivery and regulatory considerations, requiring agility, specialist expertise, and close collaboration throughout the programme.
Key challenges included:
- Multiple design changes to Phase 1 residential apartment blocks, requiring a flexible and responsive approach
- The presence of an existing private water network, meaning Leep is managing the ongoing transition of tenants onto a newly regulated network
- A complex NAV application process, where Leep’s experience ensured the required licences were secured to incorporate the private network
- A complex off-site water main route crossing land owned by multiple entities, creating potential risk of delay without proactive permissions management
Leep’s in-house legal team, working in absolute alignment with Sales and Project Delivery colleagues, played a critical role in overcoming these challenges. Their specialist network adoption expertise ensured the project remained compliant, coordinated and on track.
Image credit: Peel Group
Our approach
Leep delivered a coordinated, futureproofed multi-utility adoption solution, including:
- Adoption of the intake substation, providing control of both HV and LV networks and supporting long-term power requirements
- Retention and repurposing of loads from disconnected industrial units, working closely with Peel and their appointed consultant
- Installation and adoption of five substations across the site
- A smooth tenant transition supported by Leep’s meter exchange specialists, with AMI metering ensuring accurate billing and continuity throughout the switch-over and beyond
From a project management perspective, Leep leveraged deep cross-business relationships to drive consistent delivery and maintain a cohesive approach across the entire programme.
This continuity enabled Leep’s team to operate as an extension of the client’s own delivery function, working hand-in-glove with consultants to identify and resolve issues early. This included preventing a potentially significant civil engineering error relating to the adoption footprint.
Regular progress reporting, issue tracking, and milestone management ensured Power On objectives were achieved efficiently and with complete transparency.
Results
Chatham Waters is one of the most significant regeneration projects in Kent, transforming former industrial dockland into a thriving waterfront community.
Leep Utilities is proud to support this journey through trusted, agile, and innovative network adoption delivery, ensuring residents, businesses and stakeholders benefit from resilient infrastructure, delivered the right way.
Network adoptions done right. Flexible, knowledgeable, and built on partnership.
"Leep Utilities have been a highly reliable partner throughout the Chatham Waters programme. Their ability to adapt to design changes, manage complex regulatory requirements and coordinate multi-utility adoption has been invaluable. The team worked seamlessly alongside our consultants and delivery partners, ensuring a smooth transition for tenants and keeping the project on track at every stage."
Nicky Hey, Project Director, Peel Group
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