Property & Planning
Property can be one of our greatest assets, but it can also be a liability with complex regulations, legislation and contractual obligations that can lead to unexpected costs and a reduction in property asset values. With a dedicated Property Law department, we have considerable experience dealing with a wide range of residential, commercial, agricultural and other property work.
We offer advice and assistance in all aspects of property laws. Below we've highlighted some of our areas of specialisation.
Commercial Property
Purchases and Sales; Mortgages, Remortgages and other funding arrangements; the Grant, Transfer, Renewal and Termination of Leases; Rent Reviews; Licenses to Assign, Underlet, Alter or Change Use; Authorised Guarantee Agreements; Guarantees, Estate Development.
Agricultural Property
Purchases and Sales; Mortgages; Remortgages and other funding arrangements; the Grant, Transfer, Renewal and Termination of Agricultural Tenancies (including Farm Business Tenancy Agreements); Grazing and other Licences.
Other Property Work
Development Land Work, related Tax Mitigation and Planning; Option Agreements and Conditional Contracts; Rights of Way, Boundary issues and Footpath Diversion and Modification Orders; Construction Contracts and Collateral Warranties.
Planning
Our Planning team has been active in providing specialist advice on planning for a considerable number of years. We are able to advise on all aspects of Planning Law and Practice, including inquiries and appeals, Compulsory Purchase, Highways Law and associated environmental matters such as environmental impact assessment. This expertise is reflected in our strong client base.
The Team is headed by Lewis Denton, who qualified in 1971 and is an extremely experienced planning and environmental lawyer, having been in senior positions in the North-West both in local government and in leading private practice law firms in Manchester and Liverpool. His main areas of expertise are Planning Law and Practice, Compulsory Purchase, and Highways Law. He has taken part in several major planning inquiries, including Mineral Local Plan inquiries.
Our Work
• We advise on planning law and practice on a national basis.
• The developments on which we have advised include new buildings, brownfield redevelopment, minerals, waste, and change of use.
• Our work in planning includes planning appeals and inquiries, and the negotiating of planning conditions, s.106 and Unilateral Undertakings.
• We also advise on Compulsory Purchase, including advice on compensation claims and hearings in the Lands Tribunal.
• In the area of Highways Law, we cover stopping up and diversion orders to facilitate development, and s.278 and other Highways Act agreements.
The Future
• The recent overhaul of the planning system means that specialist advice will be required for years to come.
• We keep fully abreast of the latest legal developments within the industry and we are therefore able to ensure that our clients remain "in the know" in this specialist area.
• Together with our colleagues in the Property Department, we can offer a full service for all those engaged in the use or redevelopment of property assets.
• No builder developer or landowner can afford to proceed without up-to-the-minute advice, to avoid the strict enforcement procedures and potential loss of value that breach of planning control can bring.
Key Contacts Call 01270 611106 or click an email link below:
David Thorp, Director
Lewis Denton, Consultant
Susannah Taylor, Associate Solicitor
Mary Thompson, Solicitor
Rachel Phillips, Solicitor
Samantha Mowlah, Solicitor