Ancala-backed Leep Utilities secures 150,000th connection to its last-mile multi-utility network

The milestone was marked when the firm was appointed to own, maintain, and operate the clean and wastewater networks for Persimmon Homes’ Long Lands View development, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The new build scheme comprises over 160 one, two, three, four-bedroom homes.

This is the latest of many projects to be awarded to Leep by the major housebuilder after it was recently named as a partner on its New Appointments and Variations (NAV) adoption framework.

It follows Leep’s pioneering move, earlier this year, to become the first water company in the UK to migrate all 37,000 of its customers onto an industry leading digital platform. The platform enhances customers’ water efficiency and service levels and helps to improve environmental performance.

These customers include residents of Persimmon Homes’ Summerhill Park development in Maghull, Merseyside. Leep also owns, maintains, and operates the clean and wastewater networks for the new build scheme, which comprises over 430 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, with all customers managing their bills through the industry leading digital platform.

Louise Manfredi, CEO, Leep Utilities, commented:

“As the UK’s largest adoption-only NAV, we’re becoming an increasingly popular partner for residential and commercial property companies across the nation. As we’re not limited by geography, we’re able to operate more flexibly and work with developers to ensure the best commercial value is realised for them.

“As the pressures on the UK water supply continue to mount – in terms of the environment, the rising population, leakage, and the continuing cost of living crisis – our innovative approach and transparent pricing, combined with our leading technological solutions, means that we’re better placed than ever to overcome developers’ challenges, whilst helping to ease these very serious issues in a landmark move towards digitising the water industry.”

Leading independent infrastructure manager Ancala invested in Leep Utilities in 2017 as part of a joint venture with Peel Group. Since the investment, Ancala has helped the business to secure new sites, acquire SSE Water and create more than 100 new jobs. When Ancala first invested, the business had 2,000 connections. Today, it has over 150,000 utility connections to homes and major businesses, and is growing across electricity, water and heat projects in the UK.

Tasso Politis, Vice President, Ancala, added:

“Reaching 150,000 contracted connections is a significant accomplishment for the team at Leep Utilities. It strengthens the business’ position as a leading last-mile utility network owner and operator that offers flexible solutions for a wide range of customers. The Ancala team continues to work closely with Leep Utilities, offering our capital and expertise to support its growth plans and offer its customers cost-effective and energy efficient solutions.”