Land

Development starts with land, which includes previously developed (brownfield) land, greenbelt land and existing buildings.

The Development Transactions team provides advice to clients on how to maximise the development potential of land and existing buildings.

When considering the sale of land or buildings with development potential, it is important that the right advice is obtained at an early stage to ensure that the financial returns achievable from a project are maximised. The level of advice we provide prior to a transaction taking place, will depend on the status of the land, the landowner’s objectives, and desired timescales for achieving receipts. This advice can range from initial advice on feasibility to establish the most commercially viable use, advising on surveys that may be worth commissioning ahead of a sale, or leading a consultant team through the planning application process.

Our advice is predominantly focused on delivering a transaction that maximises our client’s financial returns. Depending on the opportunity and the client’s objectives we provide advice on various transaction structures including; land disposals (with and without planning permission), subject to planning sales, joint ventures and development agreements (including promotion and option agreements).

We provide advice in a number of areas to both public and private sector landowners, including institutions, investors, house builders, developers and charities.

Land specialists

Strategic Land

Unlocking value - strategic land promotion is a core element of our development advisory service, enabling us to for our clients. We work closely with landowners, developers, promoters, and public sector bodies, where appropriate acting as principal, to identify and realise the potential of land that is not yet allocated or consented for development.

Bespoke approach - we adapt our approach to the unique characteristics of each site and the objectives of our clients, whether navigating national policy, the Local Plan process or pursuing speculative applications.

Navigating complex negotiations – we lead on negotiating complex agreements, fostering collaboration between landowners, addressing valuation and equalisation issues, and shaping strategies for planning submissions and market positioning.

Expert advice – we provide specialist advice on matters such as ransom and overage, joint ventures, and compliance with the Charities Act and the Local Government and Finance Act.

Our support spans the entire process - from early feasibility and planning strategy through land assembly; structuring option, promotion or hybrid agreements; to ultimately disposal.

With extensive market insight and planning expertise, we help transform greenfield and underutilised land into viable residential, mixed-use, or employment-led developments. Our goal is to maximise land value while managing risk and aligning with long-term strategic outcomes.

Residential and Living

We provide specialist advice across all aspects of the residential and living land markets, helping clients identify, appraise, and transact on development opportunities. Our expertise covers immediate and strategic land, as well as existing buildings, supporting decisions that maximise value and deliverability. We provide expert advice on all living sectors, including Build-to-Rent, co-living, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and later living.

We act for landowners, developers, promoters, housebuilders, and local authorities, providing clear, evidence-based advice at every stage of the development process. Our services include:

Site Identification and Feasibility: Assessing development potential, planning constraints, and market demand to inform acquisition, promotion, or disposal strategies for land and buildings with development potential.

Land Valuation and Appraisal: Preparing detailed residual valuations, comparable analysis and development appraisals to advise on exit value. We are experienced at preparing Designated Advisor Reports on behalf of charities and Section 123 Reports for Local Authorities to meet their statutory requirements when undertaking disposals.

Land Disposal and Acquisitions: Managing the sale or purchase of development land through unconditional or conditional contracts for both greenfield and brownfield land.

Strategic Land Promotion: Advising on medium and long-term land promotion strategies, including option and collaboration agreements, to bring forward complex or phased development sites that have medium and long-term potential.

Commercial Land and Underutilised Assets

A rapidly evolving sector - traditional patterns of commercial land use are being reshaped by technological change, evolving occupier requirements, and changing ways of living and working. The rise of hybrid work, digital connectivity, and the blending of work, leisure and community uses are redefining how and where people engage with space. From AI-driven data clusters to life-science districts and renewable-powered logistics networks, new uses are transforming what constitutes prime commercial development land. Our team helps clients anticipate these shifts, identifying not only where value exists now, but where it will emerge next.
We work with landowners from the earliest stages to identify the highest and best use of their assets, taking into account planning context, infrastructure constraints, and individual risk appetite.

National coverage and local expertise - through our national network of offices, we combine deep local insight with coordinated national coverage, enabling us to advise landowners and investors across all locations.

Optimising value - Our team provides strategic advice on optimal development and disposal approaches, ensuring land is positioned to capture value through changing market conditions.

Relocation - We offer a full-service approach from development consultancy advice to maximise value via disposal through to acquisition of new premises. We work with clients through the full relocation process.

Repurposing underutilised assets - We appraise all land uses to evaluate how to maximise value from obsolete sites. Our advice is always supported by robust financial modelling which is based on live market data. We work seamlessly with our planning team to ensure our advice is based on expert planning advice, ensuring that medium-to-long-term strategies are provided alongside an understanding of any planning requirements to unlock value.

Brownfield

We specialise in identifying, assessing, and delivering value from brownfield and previously developed land across the UK. We provide strategic insight and technical expertise to help investors, developers, landowners, and public sector bodies transform complex sites.

Our involvement reaches across the development cycle from initial site appraisal, planning strategy, valuation, and disposal, offering a tailor made end-to-end advisory service across the development process.

We understand the unique complexities presented by brownfield land and draw on the depth of our expertise to ensure that robust, value maximising solutions are achieved for our clients.

Integrated process: Collaboration across development, planning, valuation, and capital market teams.

National Coverage, Local Insight: A deep understanding of regional markets underpinned and supported by our national reaching expertise.

Delivery: A proven track record unlocking and delivering brownfield sites for a range of public and private clients.

How Grey is Your Green Belt?

A radical shift in planning policy, provides immediate opportunities both for promoting sites for consideration in Green Belt reviews and for advancing development proposals in the Green Belt – prompting the question – How Grey is your Green Belt?