When Morghew Park Estates needed a new grain store to support its agricultural operations near Rolvenden, in Kent, they instructed Quercus Consulting to undertake a flood risk assessment.

Following a topographical survey it was clear that the proposed construction would reduce the storage capacity of the local flood plain. In the absence of projected flood levels, local enquiries established the extent of historic flooding to establish a basis for design in consultation with the Environment Agency.

Mitigation works were designed to extend the width of the flood plain by regrading an adjacent field to maintain the productive area and access whilst providing compensatory storage. The solution was implemented to coincide with agricultural operations in order to minimise the impact on farm productivity.

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The solution, which was discussed at each stage with the Environment Agency, delivered a low cost solution which maintained the productive area of the holding.

£ Return to Sewer Claim

Our client, a major soft fruit producer with a large number of caravans to provide accommodation for seasonal workers was presented with a claim for waste water charges covering the estimated flows for the previous six years. When extended to cover the remaining months of the billing year, the total bill exceeded £100,000.

Quercus Consulting undertook a detailed study of water usage at the site and completed an analysis of daily returns to the sewerage system for the six and a half year period and negotiated with the sewerage company, reaching a final settlement of marginally under £50,000, together with staged payments to reduce the impact of settlement on the company cash flow.

£ Water charge bill

Our client who owned a tenanted farm and several rental properties received a bill for water usage covering a six year period which exceeded £50,000. The case was complex with a significant amount of leakage on the farm supply. Although the detailed circumstances were unusual, following an analysis of the past water consumption records Quercus Consulting negotiated a settlement of £7,400. This relied on not only the analysis, but also a knowledge of the related legislation.