Blindwells, East Lothian
Blindwells is a major new settlement in East Lothian, transforming a former open-cast mining site into a mixed-use community of around 1,600 homes, alongside employment space, education, retail, healthcare, leisure and extensive green space.
We were appointed to support the strategic planning of the site’s utility infrastructure, taking responsibility for the masterplanning of the remaining infrastructure and the creation of the network asset value for the wider development. Role involved obtaining points of connection for electricity, gas, water and telecoms along with a Water Impact Assessment (WIA) & Drainage Impact Assessment (DIA). Utility spine infrastructure for all the above utilities to services for each of the housing phases across the whole development.
The team designed utilities to the required WIRS standards and met the GIRS & NERS industry standard via LRQA alongside detailed design for the initial phases. We also worked closely with appointed utility contractors and the wider design team, providing technical input on utilities and supporting the coordination of infrastructure throughout the development.
Key Features
- Utility infrastructure masterplanning for a 1,600-home new settlement
- Strategic utility planning and network studies
- Detailed design for initial development phases
Client: Hargreaves Land
Cost: £500M
Dates: 2018 – Ongoing
Countesswells, Aberdeen
Countesswells is a major mixed-use development on the western edge of Aberdeen, planned to deliver around 3,000 new homes alongside employment space, education, retail, community facilities and extensive public open space.
We were responsible for developing the utility strategy and coordinating infrastructure planning across the wider development. This included assessing the potential network asset value and providing water network designs in line with the requirements of Petrie Buchanan’s WIRS design accreditation. The team also delivered detailed designs for the initial phases, working closely with appointed utility contractors and the wider design team to coordinate infrastructure across the development.
A key element of the project was the introduction of a 1Gbps open-access fibre telecommunications network, helping establish high-speed digital connectivity as part of the development infrastructure from the outset. We also undertook network diversions and network studies to support the phased delivery of the masterplan. Countesswells received the 2018 RICS Scotland Award for Residential Development.
Key Features
- Utility strategy and infrastructure planning for a 3,000-home masterplan.
- Detailed utility design for initial development phases.
- 1Gbps open-access fibre telecommunications network.
- 10 hectares of employment/business space.
Client: Countesswells Developments Ltd / Stewart Milne Group
Cost: £500M
Dates: 2012 – Ongoing
Auchterarder Water Main Upgrade, Perth
A strategic upgrade to Auchterarder’s water network was undertaken to ensure a reliable supply for the new homes proposed in the town while ensuring supply to existing customers was not adversely affected.
The work was carried out for a consortium of Stewart Milne Homes (lead), Muir Homes and Robertson Homes. The scheme has two sections of new mains. The first is 1.2 km of 355 mm diameter main along Braco Road. The second is 2.6 km of 250 mm diameter main around the northern edge of the town to Hunter Street. Together they tie back into the existing Scottish Water network, with a new district meter and a pressure reduction valve bypass.
We were appointed to carry out the full design. This included route surveys, environmental studies and proactive landowner liaison, as well as concluding the legal agreements needed to develop a practical, buildable solution.
From design through to delivery, we provided full project management, construction monitoring, and financial services. We worked closely with Scottish Water and key stakeholders to support efficient delivery and the successful vesting of the completed mains with Scottish Water.
Key Features
- 1.2km of 355mm and 2.6 km of 250mm diameter water main.
- Full design, including route surveys, environmental studies, landowner liaison and legal agreements.
- Project management, construction monitoring and financial services through to vesting with Scottish Water.
Client: Stewart Milne Homes, Muir Homes & Robertson Homes
Cost: £1.5M
Dates: 2015 – 2018
Petrie Buchanan joins the Wallace Whittle group
Same name, same team, now with the backing of an established UK engineering group.
In May 2026, Petrie Buchanan became part of the Wallace Whittle group. We continue to operate as Petrie Buchanan, with our directors and full team in place and John Petrie leading the business.
Since 2000, we have provided multi-utility infrastructure design and management to housebuilders and developers across the UK, from planning through to completion. That work carries on exactly as before. What has changed is the strength behind it.
Wallace Whittle is an independent building services engineering and sustainability consultancy with more than 200 people across nine UK offices. Our two teams have worked alongside each other for years, so joining the group formalises a relationship that was already working well for clients.
John Petrie, Director at Petrie Buchanan, said:
“After 25 years delivering expertise for our clients in the utilities sector, becoming part of the Wallace Whittle group is a significant milestone to support our growth and succession planning as well as theirs. I feel we’ve found the perfect culture fit for our team in joining forces with Wallace Whittle, and I’m looking forward to working with the management team, as I retain my role as company lead, to create a stronger and more comprehensive offering for the marketplace.
With demand high for our service offering, it’s a new and exciting challenge to maximise this with the backing of an established group.”
What this means for our clients
- The same people. Your contacts, our processes and the way we work with you are unchanged.
- Better coordination. With utilities and building services expertise in one group, energy and infrastructure constraints can be dealt with earlier, reducing delays later in a project.
- Support across the full project lifecycle. Clients can call on mechanical, electrical, public health and sustainability expertise through Wallace Whittle when a project needs it.
- Room to grow. Demand for utilities expertise is high, and group backing gives us the capacity to meet it.
Allan McGill, Managing Director at Wallace Whittle, said:
“Petrie Buchanan’s experience and relationships within the utilities sector will help our clients access expertise more quickly while improving cohesion across services.
Petrie Buchanan has a fantastic existing reputation and we’re eager to start working closely with the team. Energy is the thorn in everyone’s side currently and with each project needing to consider it we’re looking to join up to ease those pressures.”
If you’d like to talk about how we can support your next development, get in touch with the team.
