Property development solicitors

Development projects rarely begin with bricks and mortar. They begin with land, planning opportunities, funding considerations, and a series of commercial decisions that can significantly affect the outcome of a scheme.

Our property development solicitors advise developers, landowners, investors, and promoters on the acquisition, structuring, financing, and disposal of development land across England and Wales.

From strategic land and site acquisitions to plot sales and development finance, we provide commercially focused advice to help clients unlock opportunities and move projects forward with confidence.

Development land and site acquisitions

Securing the right site is often the most important decision in any development project.

We advise developers, investors, and landowners on the acquisition and disposal of development land, helping clients assess opportunities, negotiate terms, and structure transactions efficiently.

Whether you are acquiring a single development site, assembling multiple parcels of land, or assessing the potential of strategic land, our focus is on identifying risks early and ensuring the legal framework supports your commercial objectives.

Option agreements, promotion agreements and conditional contracts

Many development opportunities involve land that has not yet secured planning permission.

Developers and landowners often need a structure that allows planning potential to be explored before a purchase takes place. The right agreement can significantly impact value, flexibility, certainty, and risk.

We regularly advise on:

• Option agreements.
• Promotion agreements.
• Conditional contracts.
• Exclusivity agreements.
• Strategic land arrangements.

Whether you are a developer seeking control of a site or a landowner considering an approach from a promoter, obtaining advice at an early stage can help protect your position and maximise future opportunities.

Overage agreements and future value protection

Development potential can significantly increase land value.

Overage agreements, also known as clawback provisions, are commonly used when sellers wish to retain the right to benefit from future increases in value after a sale has been completed.

We advise both buyers and sellers on the negotiation, drafting, and enforcement of overage provisions, helping clients understand the long-term implications of these arrangements and avoid costly disputes later.

Development finance and project structuring

Funding considerations often shape both the structure and timing of a development project.

We work alongside lenders, brokers, investors, and professional advisers on the legal aspects of development finance transactions, helping clients satisfy lender requirements and progress projects efficiently.

Our experience includes:

• Development finance facilities.
• Bridging finance.
• Joint venture arrangements.
• Property investment structures.
• Refinancing transactions.
• Security documentation.

Plot sales and disposals

As developments progress, attention often turns to plot sales and disposals.

Efficient legal processes can help maintain momentum, improve cashflow, and reduce delays during the sales phase of a project.

We assist developers with plot sales, supporting transactions from reservation through to completion while working closely with buyers' solicitors and other parties involved.

Supporting developers, landowners and investors

No two development projects are identical. Some involve straightforward site acquisitions. Others involve planning uncertainty, strategic land, funding challenges, multiple landowners, or complex development structures.

Our solicitors provide commercially focused advice designed to support successful projects from acquisition through to disposal.

Whether you are acquiring development land, considering an option agreement, negotiating a promotion agreement, or progressing a major development scheme, we can help.

Get in touch to discuss your project with our property development solicitors.