An ever-changing landscape

From traditional residential, through to mixed-use and build to rent, future-proofing your development means having an answer to the question “What’s next?”

The opportunities, and challenges, for developers are many and varied – whether it’s sustainable development, modern methods of construction, smart homes and connectivity, reputation   or mobility.

Modular housing has the potential to transform productivity, sustainability and quality – but also comes with new and varied risks.

An image of new build houses on a development

Our focus areas

Road to Net Zero

With climate change undoubtedly the greatest challenge of our times, buildings are responsible for a significant amount of the UK’s total CO2 emissions, reducing this impact is an unavoidable issue for the Developer sector. Foot Anstey is helping our clients navigate the challenges and opportunities available.

The Building Safety Act

The Building Safety Act 2022 (applicable to England and Wales) received Royal Assent in April 2022 and is set to transform how tall structures are designed, constructed and managed, with the Government describing the changes proposed as the biggest for almost four decades.

Modern methods of construction

Sustainable construction is becoming an unavoidable topic for developers and MMC is seen to be the solution needed for developers to undertake sustainable construction. As a method of production, MMC facilitates innovation, a key element to mitigating the effects of climate change. It reduces site waste, develops products focused on energy efficiency, and its timber frames embody carbon.

Phosphates and nitrates

A hot topic amongst developers and local authorities, with the spread of Natural England’s advice to Local Planning Authorities to reduce the enriched nutrient impact on the water systems causing an excessive growth of plants and algae, known as eutrophication. Developers must mitigate their effects and maintain a nutrient-neutral environment.

Retro-fitting

A really effective way to improve older buildings so they have a higher energy efficiency and a lower energy usage. These initiatives quite often involve complex funding arrangements, tenant and owner interactions, and the need to move quickly through the procurement rules often with a developing supply chain.

Our recent experience

Housebuilders and Registered Providers

Advising Housebuilders and Registered Providers on legal mechanisms to implement mitigation measures to achieve nitrate neutrality through off-setting which is critical to unlocking the grant of planning permission in the Solent area where there is currently an informal moratorium on development. We regard ourselves as thought leaders in the South West and South East in relation to the nitrates “crisis” that has hit development.

Site aquisition

Advising a Developer on all aspects of the acquisition and funding of two sites which will be developed as low carbon modular housing. The developer has ambitious growth plans which will see them become a major developer of modular homes

Land value arbitration

Acting in respect of £35m land value arbitration for a Commercial Developer, involving QCs and valuation and QS expert evidence, settled at mediation

Precedent forms

Acting for a leading developer in respect of setting up precedent form documents, and supports the client in respect of its contract strategy and risk mitigation

Redevelopment project

Advising a Housebuilder on the acquisition of land including a bus station and part of a shopping centre for the purposes of residential and commercial redevelopment to include the provision of a new bus station and construction of a temporary bus station as part of the regeneration of a town centre.

Complex sub-sale joint venture

Acting for a large southern RP in connection with a complex sub-sale joint venture (JV) land and build project for the development of a phase of 52 affordable homes on a site formally owned by the Secretary of State (SoS) which had the benefit of outline planning permission for approximately 2,400 homes, town centre commercial use and the provision of a new secondary school.

Our people

Our dedicated Developer Sector team acts for housebuilders, commercial developers, registered providers and land promoters and have an enviable track record in large scale development, redevelopment and regeneration projects.

Meet our team

What our clients say?

Very diligent, very personable, commercial and have a can-do attitude.

Legal 500 2022

Foot Anstey has a knowledgeable and approachable team that is always available.

Chambers 2022

Very experienced professionals and more than just a developer firm, they are very user friendly.

Vivid

We have confidence in Foot Anstey that we don’t have in other law firms.

Abri

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