Property development

Property development solicitors

We help developers, landowners and housebuilders at every stage of a development, from site acquisition and planning through to sale and completion.

Talk to our team See our recent work

In short

Ansons' property development solicitors act for developers, residential housebuilders, promoters and landowners, from small local builders to national developers on multi-phase sites. We advise on buying and selling sites, option, promotion and pre-emption agreements, overage, forward funding, development finance, planning and infrastructure agreements and plot sales. To discuss a site or scheme, use the enquiry form on this page.

What we do

Our property development services

Acquisition and disposal of sites, conditional or unconditional
Option, promotion and pre-emption agreements
Overage and forward funding agreements
Development site financing and refinancing
“Golden brick” contracts and schemes
Site setup, infrastructure and plot sale documentation
Planning, environmental and construction law advice

Recent work

Multi-phase residential developments
Acting for regional developers on multi-phase residential sites of more than 200 plots. We managed the full legal process from conditional acquisition and funding through to infrastructure agreements, site setup and individual plot sale documentation.
Strategic land and promotion agreements
Advising landowners and promoters on option and promotion agreements to unlock long-term development potential. We advise on timing, structure and tax implications, working with planners, agents and developers.
Mixed-use and regeneration schemes
Supporting clients on the acquisition and delivery of mixed-use developments that combine residential, retail and community spaces, from negotiating land deals and securing finance to construction documentation and onward sales.
Overage, pre-emption and forward funding arrangements
Negotiating overage and pre-emption agreements to protect future value for landowners and developers. We also advise on forward funding structures for residential and commercial schemes, aligning investor and developer objectives.

Who we help

We act for clients across residential and commercial development, from small local builders to national developers managing large, multi-phase sites.

Developers: legal support across acquisition, funding and site setup.
Residential housebuilders: plot sales, infrastructure agreements and development finance.
Promoters and landowners: strategic land deals, promotion agreements and option agreements.

Planning and infrastructure agreements

Alongside site acquisitions, disposals and site assembly, we advise on planning and infrastructure agreements under section 106 and section 278, on funding and refinancing and on setting up plots for sale.

Why Ansons

Why choose Ansons

A partner-led service
Support at every stage, from site acquisition and planning to sale and completion
Experience across residential and commercial development, from local builders to national developers
A proactive approach to the legal, financial and commercial issues that hold schemes up

Questions

Questions about property development law

What does a property development solicitor do?

We handle the legal work behind a development: buying and selling sites, option, promotion and pre-emption agreements, overage, development finance, planning and infrastructure agreements, site setup and plot sale documentation.

Do you act for landowners as well as developers?

Yes. We act for landowners and promoters on option and promotion agreements, overage and pre-emption agreements and strategic land deals, as well as for developers and housebuilders.

Can you help with section 106 and section 278 agreements?

Yes. We advise on planning and infrastructure agreements, including section 106 and section 278 agreements, alongside site acquisitions, funding and plot sale set-ups.