Strategic land: from site assembly to disposal

Over a period of 15+ years, Shoosmiths’ strategic land team has advised Hallam Land Management Limited on a complex mixed use development at North East Bridgwater, from initial site assembly through to completed and ongoing aspects of development.

Long-term builds bring a number of challenges, but an essential ingredient in the successful delivery of such schemes is diligent project management. Early setbacks in a project can lead to lengthy delays further down the line, adding to the overall cost for the developer, so there is huge value in having a team of forward-focused lawyers able to anticipate issues, ensuring deadlines are hit and each parcel of land is opened up effectively. Our team’s ability to work closely with Hallam over many years to assess risks and coordinate timely support on real estate, planning, construction and finance issues was a key factor in the smooth delivery of what were often intensive legal transactions.

We have been greatly assisted throughout this project by Thomas Hall and his team, who have a proven track record for delivering top quality commercial advice on developments such as this, and they have continued this trend throughout this work for us at Bridgewater. 

Managing Director, Hallam Land Management

Working with Hallam on the North East Bridgwater site has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience, albeit one fraught with challenges and obstacles that we have assisted our client in overcoming. It was almost a “textbook” example of the variety of issues that can present on a large strategic land site: numerous landowners to satisfy, statutory bodies to deal with, difficult little issues to resolve, joint venture agreements to conclude. The fact that the site is now a thriving local community is testament to the hard work of our client, which we are delighted to play a part in. 

Tom Hall, Partner, Shoosmiths 

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