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Housing development lawyers

The housing sector has a critical role to play in creating successful, sustainable communities, with all the economic benefits that flow from that. During a period where society has been soundly shaken by the pandemic, and whilst the Government strives for a national levelling up agenda, that role becomes more important than ever.

At Ward Hadaway, we are here to help. Our experienced team of housing development lawyers are on hand to provide practical, focused solutions at all stages of the process. From concept, land acquisition and site assembly, planning, funding and investment, to the engagement of a construction team, infrastructure arrangements and the eventual sales of the units, we have the expertise to help a smooth and successful process.

With decades of experience in the field, we act for some of the industry’s best known names, including private developers and social housing providers large and small, as well as landowners and public sector providers.

Depending on your specific needs, we tailor multi-disciplinary teams to suit individual project requirements, comprising of specialists in land acquisition, site assembly and plot sales, planning, construction, property litigation, corporate and tax, as needed.

You can also access our in-house chartered town planners and plans technicians to provide bespoke assistance with development schemes, including providing a unique plans overlay service to identify potential issues well before they arise. And if it’s significant strategic development and regeneration projects you have in mind, we can support on that too.

Whatever your needs, our expert, multi-disciplinary team can help you make your development project a reality, taking care of every detail.

Our services
  • Advice on infrastructure agreements
  • Construction documentation
  • Estate set-up advice
  • Negotiation of building/ground leases
  • Negotiation of conditional land purchase agreements, options, pre-emptions and planning promotion agreements
  • Negotiation of development agreements and funding agreements
  • Negotiation of overage/profit share arrangements
  • Onward/forward sales and lettings
  • Planning advice
  • S106 agreements
  • Site assembly and site acquisition, including by compulsory purchase and appropriation
  • Tax advice

Contact a specialist

Lesley Fairclough

Partner | Built Environment

+44 (0) 330 137 3118

+44 (0) 784 131 7493

Email Lesley Fairclough

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Jen Robinson

Partner | Built Environment

+44 (0) 330 137 3134

+44 (0)791 257 9473

Email Jen

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Andrew Pliener

Partner | Built Environment

+44 (0) 330 137 3114

+44 (0)774 042 6380

Email Andrew Pliener

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What people say

  • To me, Ward Hadaway is a modern, open and engaging business. They have very broad range of legal experience with considerable depth in those areas I’ve engaged with previously. My focus has always been housebuilding and their expertise in this area is second to none, in my opinion. I’ve certainly not come across another business that I’ve been tempted to use since working with Ward Hadaway.’

    Legal 500, client quote
  • The individuals I work with at this practice are engaging, professional and attentive, they are always available to discuss matters at great length and conscientious in everything they produce. I have far more confidence in the advice provided than have encountered with other practices; they also make themselves available for a simply discussion, matters outside of the scope for general advice. Irrespective of knowing they have multiple clients and dealings, you always feel that the right time is allocated to your particular matter, something again which is not obtained elsewhere. Sophie Bohill and Julia Thomson are my main contacts at this practice; the above comments specifically relate to my sometimes daily interactions with these ladies who are genuinely amazing and work well outside the normal 9-5.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Ward Hadaway truly provide a one to one service, attention to detail and ensuring everything is clear and concise. Nothing ever feels difficult, always willing to go the extra mile and certainly obtainable at all hours. They are always accessible, make more of an effort keeping clients updated rather than being chased and the documentation provided in relation to transactions is vital for referencing after the event.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Ward Hadaway’s team is part of our team and acts as such. Our success is their success and vica versa. Both teams are aware of each others’ strengths and weaknesses and accommodate them.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Ward Hadaway compares favourably to other firms, helped by direct access to a partner who has been very willing to help on a range of matters and willing to talk things through in an uncomplicated way.

    Client quote

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