Listen to our strategic land podcast
Comprising of six episodes discussing issues relevant to the development of strategic land.
Having one of the largest residential development legal teams and a leading private client practice, we are uniquely placed to help landowners, developers, promoters, local authorities, and rural businesses unlock the potential of land for development.
Lucy Smallwood
Partner
Julie Sharpe
Partner
Elizabeth Newson
Partner
Richard Walford
Partner
Our team helps landowners, promoters and other parties navigate change and unlock land value through expert advice on development, planning, natural capital, and tax - delivered by a team that understands the residential development landscape inside out.
At Michelmores, we understand that land isn't just an asset - our clients are navigating complex, high-stakes decisions that can affect their legacy, finances and long-term land use. Our nationally recognised Strategic Land team partners with landowners, land promoters and other parties to unlock long-term value. Whether you're exploring a promotion agreement, considering a joint venture, or reviewing your options as a landowner literally we provide clear, commercial legal advice tailored to your vision.
Promoting, disposing or developing land to deliver new homes is a complex process requiring expert advice. Our team’s unrivalled knowledge, experience and commitment to achieving the best result is what differentiates us.
We have an in-depth knowledge of the legal structures and issues and a reputation for providing pragmatic and commercial advice delivered by lawyers available when you need them. Our distinctive culture and refreshing approach to collaboration means that our property experts work side by side with specialist planning, natural capital, private client, agricultural, tax, construction, and corporate advisers meaning you will always have access to the exact specialist knowledge required.
We advise on:
Decades of experience in acting for private landowners, developers and other entities across England and Wales in relation to residential development projects.
We pride ourselves on forging lasting relationships - our clients trust us to navigate the complexities of strategic land from first step to final completion.
We understand the development landscape, market cycles and how best to structure deals that deliver enduring value whilst managing risk and tax exposure.
No one-size-fits-all here. Every agreement is bespoke and shaped around our clients long term goals.
Our strategic land team brings extensive experience in advising landowners, developers, promoters, local authorities and other stakeholders on complex, high value schemes nationwide. From initial structuring through to delivery, we help clients maximise value and potential of land while navigating planning, environmental and legal complexities. The projects below reflect the depth of our capabilities, our trusted partnerships and the outcomes we help our clients achieve.
Acting for a landed estate in respect of their landholdings north of Manchester including dealing with a recent c. £16m sale of land for residential development which included agreeing marketing and cost sharing arrangements with two other landowners and a land promoter, agreeing overage payable and negotiating easements over third party land.
Advising the trustee landowners in respect of a promotion site for c. 300 homes in Hertfordshire being promoted by a national land promoter, in conjunction with neighbouring land and involving collaboration arrangements to address shared infrastructure costs and apportionment of sale proceeds.
Acting for the charity trustee landowners in respect of a 75-acre site in Dorset for c. 450 potential new homes and advising on a promotion arrangement with a national land promoter. Subject to planning the site would deliver a sustainable new community of market and affordable homes, a care home, retail and community uses and extensive open space and SANG.
Acting on a multi-phased urban extension project in Dorset for a house builder (working with other development partners, the Duchy and their advisors) including the acquisition of phases, development, communal infrastructure arrangements, bank funding, phase set up and ultimate disposal of dwellings and commercial units.
Acting for an NHS Trust in relation to the promotion and subsequent sale of development land bequeathed to the Trust pursuant to a will and held in a charitable trust structure. Advising on Charities Act implications and requirements.
Acting for a unitary authority entering into a collaboration and development agreement on a large urban extension scheme with proposals to provide key infrastructure by way of a distributor road and railway overbridge to support up the delivery of up to 7,500 new homes.
Comprising of six episodes discussing issues relevant to the development of strategic land.
