Promoters

Advising on all elements of the identification and acquisition of land for promotion and subsequent preparation for sale to a developer purchaser. This includes not only initial site assessments and land promotion agreements but also, option agreements, unconditional and conditional contracts, development agreements, collaboration agreements and consortium agreements. We regularly act on both short and long-term strategic sites in addition to complex site assemblies.

We also deal with all ancillary aspects relating to the acquisition and sale of land – including overages, deeds of easement, advice on covenants and tax advice.

Advising on all planning matters relating to residential and commercial developments. This includes advising on planning applications and the negotiation of associated section 106 agreements (including any necessary variations), post-consent conditions and nomination agreements. It also includes reviewing and advising on existing planning permissions and section 106 agreements where the prospective land already benefits from an extant permission.

We advise on all land, planning and environmental matters including providing bespoke advice on environmental strategies, strategic planning support, nutrient neutrality, biodiversity net gain, CIL and associated reliefs/exemptions, Compulsory Purchase, appeals and Judicial Review.

We also advise on all infrastructure agreements required for development sites, including utility easements, substation transfers and leases, adoption agreements and highways agreements (including section 278 and section 38 agreements).

Acting for developers and/or promoters obtaining funding for development sites, including debt, equity or alternative funding.

We also have considerable experience in dealing with portfolio refinancing, forward funding and forward purchase transactions.

Our Development team regularly acts on the sale to, and acquisition of land by, housebuilders and developers and the associated nuances including overage obligations, deferred payments and security arrangements.

We also have valuable insight into what end purchasers and funders will require and this feeds into our ability to provide practical commercial advice to ensure that when a promoter is obtaining planning permission and negotiating sales the ultimate end user requirements are addressed and minimises the issues purchasers and funders may raise.

We enhance this insight by also dealing with all other disposals relating to development sites, including transfers to affordable housing providers, transfers of land pursuant to planning agreements, dedication of highways land, transferring common space to management companies/local authorities and transfers of undeveloped land to third parties.

Advising on every type of property-related dispute. This includes rights of light, building and fire safety, telecommunications, enforceability of covenants, misrepresentation, site clearance, contractual disputes and obtaining vacant possession.

We are experts in all forms of litigation whether that is court proceedings or mediation and can advise on all aspects of real estate and development litigation.

Our expertise is wide-ranging and includes contentious and non-contentious development work for housebuilders and commercial developers and funders and other entities involved in infrastructure, projects and renewables including professional appointments. We support our clients to develop cradle to grave commercially driven strategies for successful project delivery.

This provides insight into concerns the purchaser may have and enables us to offer practical advice at any early stage to ensure issues are foreseen and addressed before they arise.

Advising on all types of ancillary support matters including data protection agreements, build over agreements, oversail licences and scaffolding licences.

Providing support relating to asset management, commercial risk management, investment and funding (including grant funding), renewable energy (including retrofit solutions), health and safety, tax structures and employment matters.