Every phase has its challenges, and its potential for advantage
Property and land development solicitors demonstrate their true value through advice that turns uncertainties into the foundations of a successful project.
Taking the time to fully understand your business is key to the advice we provide through a team of specialist lawyers with experience throughout the development lifecycle.
Complex issues can arise at any stage from acquisition to disposal, but how you handle them can make a material difference to the outcome. Taking a far-sighted approach to planning, tax, investment and finance as well as construction improves the outlook for every project.
Sharp legal minds for developments of every size
In an evolving market with frequent changes in the regulatory landscape, we excel at offering clear, practical advice. We see every site as a source of potential. We act with equal vigour for national builders, PLCs, SMEs and independent developers, taking on your challenges and finding opportunities to realise the best possible outcome.
Our team of property development solicitors includes specialists in all the important areas:
Davidsons Homes
We acted for a regional house builder on the acquisition of a 1,950 unit scheme which included ancillary commercial land uses as well as a school, open spaces and a retirement village.
The acquisition involved complex negotiations relating to the primary acquisition documents, division of the scheme across a number of different parcels and entities, dealing with the developer’s collaboration agreements across the site and resolving a number of complex of issues throughout.
Post-acquisition we were retained to give ongoing planning advice and have been heavily involved in all aspects of the scheme, including serviced land disposals, setting up and establishing a service charge trust, infrastructure disposals and onward plot disposals to end users.
Turnstone Estates
We advised developer, Turnstone Estates, on the promotion and development of three leisure led schemes in Colchester, Ely and Southend. Each multi-million pound scheme comprised a multi-screen cinema, including other leisure and restaurant facilities.
We advised on a number of issues including planning agreements, funding arrangements, multiple agreements for lease, leases to statutory undertakers, the main building contract, numerous professional appointments and tenant/funder/local authority collateral warranties.
Planning advice has included strategic advice; application reviews and detailed advice concerning Environmental Impact Assessment; and in the context of Southend, a contentious planning appeal following which permission was secured.
We have also advised on the management of the development, and through the construction process.
This Land
We act for a regional developer on numerous sites across the East of England, that may deliver in excess of 1,500 homes.
Our firm has advised across the board, from land acquisition, through to planning, disposal (including affordable housing and plots) and regulatory.
This has included master developer site set up, with our planning team supporting on all aspects of the planning process, including strategic advice and section 106 agreements.
We continue to provide advice as the sites develop on a variety or property and planning related matters, and through the construction process.
Norwich University of the Arts
We advised Norwich University of the Arts on the redevelopment of their Bank Plain premises in Norwich to create a new bespoke exhibition space.
Advice included drafting, negotiating and finalising professional team appointments as well as drafting bespoke building contract amendments. In particular, we provided tailored advice as to fire safety risks and limits on liability.
Axis Land Partnerships and Pigeon Land and Investment
We are one of the main legal advisors for promoters Axis Land Partnerships and Pigeon Land and Investment.
Our involvement has included property and planning advice on a large number of sites across the eastern region and beyond, that would collectively deliver in excess of 10,000 homes. This has included delivery of a large 5,000 dwelling urban extension and also acting on a multi-landowner promotion agreement for the proposed development of over 1,400 homes in Kent, and supporting throughout the planning process and section 106 agreements.
Persimmon Homes
We regularly advise national housebuilder, Persimmon Homes Limited on new site acquisitions and strategic land matters across a number of their regions across the Eastern Region and Midlands.
Our work encompasses longer-term strategic land, mid-term proposals on allocated sites and more immediate acquisitions on outline and detailed consents. We often advise on detailed commercial terms including payment structures, infrastructure delivery and off-site mitigation.
Our planning advice has included strategic advice on prospects of securing planning consent; section 106 agreements; and legal reviews of planning applications. Our involvement has included acting on numerous large scale urban extensions and strategic housing allocations delivering thousands of new homes.
The team are excellent at being able to apply either a detailed and technical approach or an ultra pragmatic approach, and knowing when which one is more appropriate.
Howes Percival deliver a remarkable standard of service. Their knowledge and understanding are beyond impressive and have successfully navigated some of the most tricky and legally complex situations.
They are a great group of specialist property lawyers who work well collaboratively and as part of a wider professional team.
This is a team that is helpful and delivers consistently. They have a tenacity and understanding to complement our internal teams.
The fact that timescales will be given and consistently met, great communication to keep me updated on progress, and any alterations to fees are always transparent with sound rationale provided. I wouldn't go anywhere else, and fully trust them to act in my best interest and always willing to break things down to ensure I fully understand the implications.
Their team gives me excellent personal service and always respond in a timely fashion to my needs.
- Client testimonials featured in The Legal 500 (2025 Edition)
We work closely with most of the leading agents. Following appraisals, we can then advise on how to achieve maximum benefit by promotion, option or conditional contract.
Capital or income and whether you might require to suspend to any impact on your personal or corporate tax regime.
Strategic advice on the prospects of securing planning permission. Advice to protect against successful challenge, minimising CIL liability and dealing with complex planning obligations.
Completion of transaction for land owners and developers (including S. 106 owners and development agreements).
Encapsulating joint venture documentation, build licences, professional appointments, warranties, building contracts and managing any disputes which arise.
We are highly experienced in commercial investments, or for residential developments our dedicated plot sales teams will deal with site set up and disposals on your behalf.
Structuring finance solutions for development transactions, including senior and mezzanine credit. Advising both developers raising finance and funders providing facilities to those developers.
"A commercially astute team of leading lawyers in their field, which has a unique ability of interpreting the law, whilst understanding the commercial objectives of a project in its application."
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