Burges Salmon advises borough council on major heat network project

Law firm Burges Salmon has advised Worthing Borough Council on a low carbon district heating project that is intended to offer climate-friendly heating to all Worthing homes and buildings by 2050 and create more than 500 jobs.

Under the plans, heat network investor, developer, and operator Hemiko will provide £500m to fund, deliver and operate the project.

With construction planned to start in July 2024, the network is expected to be operational from the summer of 2025 with Worthing Town Hall, Worthing Hospital, the Assembly Hall, Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, the Connaught Theatre and Portland House set to be connected.

Burges Salmon said the council estimates that the first phase of the project will save more than 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off roads.

The project is supported by funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero via the Heat Networks Investment Project.

The Burges Salmon team advising Worthing Borough Council was led by directors Emma Andrews and Charles Robson from the firm’s Clean Heat practice, supported by the firm’s wider Clean Heat team including solicitors Sophie Cutler (projects), Theo Wapshare (construction), Daniella Baker (real estate) and George Jones (real estate), senior associates Fraser McKay (real estate), Emily Geens (real estate) and Alison Logan (banking), director Nia Stewart (construction) and partners James Sutherland, Ros Harris, Victoria Allsopp and John Houlden.

Andrews said: “Our experience in clean heat and energy regulation means we’re well positioned to advise project sponsors, investors, and developers across both the public and private sectors on all aspects of heat networks project delivery.

“It has been a pleasure working with Worthing Borough Council on this significant project. This development marks an exciting step in Worthing’s low carbon transition. It also highlights the huge opportunities that district heating networks present in allowing local communities to access greener heat on a town-wide scale.”