Development and Construction

From the middle of 2007 the acquisition of sites by development companies and house builders came to an abrupt halt with the onset of the recession. We have noticed a gradual return of demand over recent months as a result of increasing confidence in the economy with a resulting increase in instructions from developer clients.

Development

We act for a number of clients In relation to the purchase and/or sale of the development land. With more restrictive planning policies in recent years there are many more brownfield city centre sites being developed. Whether working on the acquisition or disposal of a brownfield or a greenfield site each transaction brings its own particular problems, requiring specific legal expertise to deal with. On greenfield sites matters such as the rights of way, possible agricultural rights and issues relating to the ownership of common land and hedgerows may arise whereas with brownfield sites there may be, for example, issues in respect of rights of light, advertising holdings and oversailing licences for cranes

The members of the department have significant experience in acting for both landowners and developers in connection with commercial and residential development sites. This can involve complex negotiations and documentation such as conditional contracts, option agreements and joint venture arrangements.

Construction

Many developments that relate to the erection of properties involve input from our construction team.  This can involve matters such as assignment of copyright in reports through to providing full warranties for the whole of the professional team involved in a development and including advising on building contracts and joint venture documentation.

Some of our lawyers have specific experience in this complex area and interact closely with lawyers dealing with the acquisition or disposal of a site. We also advise our retail clients on construction issues that arise when they are acquiring a new unit in a new centre in to ensure that the Tenants repairing obligations under the Lease will be backed up with warranties from the builder of the centre and other relevant professionals. This occurs particularly with out of town sites on business parks.

Please contact Gareth Williams and Robert Lloyd-Davies for further infomation.