Cripps Harries Hall

Property development

A successful property developer has to bring together creative ideas, political skill, design, engineering, business and financial acumen and a deep knowledge of the property market on time and on budget. Your legal team needs those skills as well.

What we do

We engage with our clients in the whole development process:

  • Strategic land buying and options
  • Site assembly
  • Compulsory purchase
  • The planning process
  • Highways and infrastructure
  • Devising efficient development vehicles, joint ventures and collaboration
  • Development and funding agreements
  • Overage
  • Construction and engineering contracts
  • Remediation of contaminated land and other environmental issues
  • Affordable and key worker housing
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Leasing, plot sales and other exit arrangements

We have particular experience of the regeneration process.

Our clients

Our clients include commercial and residential developers, landowners, financiers, local authorities, government agencies and housing associations.

Why Cripps Harries Hall?

We have a distinctive approach, helped by the fact that many of us were previously in the development industry. We work closely with you and your project team to understand your priorities and objectives. We take an active role, driving the project forward in a pragmatic way. We seek a balance between tried and tested techniques (to provide best value) and creative thinking, recognising that no two projects are the same.

Next steps

For further information please contact Jason Towell.

Latest news Date
+ Cripps announces partner and associate promotions
Cripps Harries Hall LLP has promoted two Associates to the partnership, and six other lawyers to Associate in the firm's annual promotions round which take effect from 1st May 2013.
 01/05/2013
  • Acting for a major London commercial property developer in its first foray into residential development. The scheme involved a complex site assembly, the surrender of occupational leases, the creation of a joint venture and bank and secondary lending. We also handled the letting of the main construction contract and associated construction documentation, the pre sale of an apartment block to a housing association and the sale of the remaining units
  • Acting for a local authority on the sale of a leisure centre site for future mixed use development (including overage arrangements) and in relation to the relocation and reprovision of the leisure centre. The base consideration was in excess of £30 million
  • Acting for a commercial property client in relation to a joint venture with a major house builder which involved the acquisition of 215 units of housing stock. The transaction involved the formation of a limited liability partnership, the negotiation of complex financing documentation and a major due diligence exercise
  • Acting for a commercial business in the redevelopment of its premises to create a town centre retail park, including the construction and disposal of the retail units
  • Acting for a developer collaboration in connection with the acquisition and simultaneous part sub-sale of a prospective development site to facilitate a park and ride facility, motorway junction extension works, residential, care home and out of town retail and office development. Transaction involved landowner and inter-collaboration overage, profit equalisation and profit share, promotion and development obligations and collateral land security
Name Role Contact
Natalie Campany Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 219
Paul Clark Consultant +44 (0)1892 506 059
Beth Gascoyne Associate +44 (0)1892 506 324
Clair Grant Associate (Chartered Legal Executive) +44 (0)1892 506 123
Andrew Harbourne Partner +44 (0)1892 506 273
Ian Hoare Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 161
Helen Hunnisett Associate +44 (0)1892 506 050
James Lee Associate +44 (0)1892 506 362
Bill Mackie Partner +44 (0)1892 506 319
Glenn Miller Partner +44 (0)1892 506 207
Richard Stokes Partner +44 (0)1892 506 022
Jason Towell Partner +44 (0)1892 506 218
Mike Vos Partner +44 (0)1892 506 107
Legal updates view all
+ Construction law - Construction defects in new build residential flats - March 2013
When you purchase an off-plan flat from a developer the balance of power between the two parties invariably results in a contract that favours the developer. The scope for a purchaser's solicitor to make changes to such a contract is very small as there is simply not enough bargaining power to insist on performance bonds, retentions or specific construction obligations.
 28/03/2013
+ Development law - Change of use without express planning permission - February 2013
In late January the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced the intention to bring into force permitted development rights enabling a change of use from B1(a) offices to C3 residential without express planning permission. This follows a period of uncertainty when it was unclear whether government thinking was that this was a good or a bad idea. The government clearly now thinks it is a good idea with the new permitted development rights to be brought into force in Spring 2013. The new permitted development rights allowing the change of use without express planning permission will initially be for a limited period o
 19/02/2013
+ Development law - Planning's balancing act - January 2013
Published in August, Sir Adrian Montague's report Private rental homes: review of the barriers to institutional investment (the Montague report) set out the measures required to encourage investment in the sector and noted that changes to planning and local government law may be required. How would those recommendations work in practice?
 25/01/2013
+ Development law - Retirement housing - October 2012
We cannot escape the reality that we live in an ageing society. The retired population is growing and life expectancy is rising. The increased demand and need for retirement housing is inevitable. This area of the market is becoming increasingly competitive as more organisations look to enter and become involved in the sector.
 30/10/2012
+ Construction law - Demystifying collateral warranties - October 2012
Love them or loathe them, collateral warranties are still the main method of granting protection to third parties with an interest in a construction project. This article aims to demystify what collateral warranties are, why they are needed and explores the more cost-effective alternative of using third party rights schedules.
26/10/2012
+ Construction law - Project management - August 2012
The recent TCC decision in Ampleforth Abbey Trust v Turner & Townsend Project Management Limited has served as another reminder of the dangers of relying on building works being procured under letters of intent rather than formal building contracts. It has also provided a stark warning to project managers of the scope of their standard of care and to construction professionals in general of the risk of "unreasonable" limitation of liability clauses within their standard terms and conditions being held as unenforceable.
30/08/2012
+ Planning law - Land owning local planning authorities - August 2012
It is settled law that when a development site is solely owned by a council it is not possible for that council to enter into a section 106 agreement with itself, in its capacity as local planning authority, to secure the delivery of planning obligations. Such situations can arise with urban regeneration schemes where a council owns a site and enters into a development agreement with a developer. The problem created is sometimes resolved by the council entering into an agreement with the developer, previously using powers under the Local Government Act 1972 and now using powers under the Localism Act 2011, under which a section 106 agreemen
 09/08/2012
+ Retirement living - Community Infrastructure Levy - Summer 2012
For development control purposes there used to be broadly two areas of interest in determining the use class for retirement housing. Firstly, whether the development fell under general housing policies and should contribute to the provision of affordable housing and other financial obligations, and secondly whether a material change in use occurred which would require planning permission. Since the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 took effect in April 2010, a further area of interest has been revealed: whether a retirement housing development is exempt from CIL or is permitted a reduction in the levy.
 06/08/2012
+ Development law - NewBuy - burden to the tax payer or market saviour? April 2012
Most developers will be aware of the NewBuy scheme to a greater or lesser extent. Much of the national press has reported little benefit in the scheme and has focused instead on the potential cost to the taxpayer. So what are the benefits and risks of the scheme?
10/04/2012
+ Planning law - NPPF - A kick start for Development? - April 2012
The draft National Planning Policy Framework ("NPPF") published last year created a media storm and strong resistance from groups concerned that it would result in a charter for developers. The final form of the NPPF was published and took legal effect on 27 March 2012. The NPPF abolishes the mass of previous policy in Planning Policy Statements and Planning Policy Guidance Notes and replaces it all in a mere 59 pages.
 05/04/2012
+ Development law - Pre-completion searches and the effect of bankruptcy - January 2012
Pre-completion searches and the effect of bankruptcy
 13/01/2012
+ Commercial development law - Changes to mixed use development - Autumn 2011
In many town and city regenerations, residential and commercial mixed-use development has been, and continues to be, seen as essential for the creation of attractive and sustainable environments that promote economic vitality, social equity and environmental quality.
 24/11/2011
+ Development law - OFT Guidance for estate agents - a consultation - November 2011
OFT Guidance for estate agents - a consultation
 01/11/2011
+ Retirement living
Publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework ('NPPF') has made it clear that the Government's agenda is now pro development.
 19/10/2011
+ Commercial development law - Right to light - Summer 2011
Comment on HKRUK II (CHC) Limited v Marcus Alexander Heaney 2010 ALL ER (D) 101
 10/08/2011
+ Planning law - Draft National Planning Policy Framework - Is this the return to planning by appeal? - August 2011
The draft National Planning Policy Framework (draft NPPF) has been described as the most important planning document since the Town and Country Planning Act 1947. This may be putting it too highly but it will certainly be a very important planning document. The draft NPPF was published on 25 July and is already attracting a great deal of comment during its 12 week consultation period which ends on 17 October.
 09/08/2011
+ Bribery Act Update - comes into force on 1 July 2011 - March 2011
The government announced today that the Bribery Act will come into force on 1 July 2011. The government also published the final version of its guidance for businesses on how to comply with the Act.
 31/03/2011
Publications view all
+ CrippsRetail Review - January 2013
Featuring news, reviews and legal issues affecting the retail sector
 11/01/2013
In the press view all
+ Could councils do more to save town centres?
Article by Jason Towell, partner at Cripps Harries Hall
 05/04/2013
+ Office Blocks
Jason Towell, partner at Cripps Harries Hall, comments
 04/04/2013
+ Judicial review changes could be harmful
Partner Jason Towell comments
 19/12/2012
+ Cripps Harries Hall hires strategy consultant
Cripps Harries Hall LLP, has announced the appointment of Christopher Digby-Bell as consultant. Christopher joins Cripps on a non-executive basis to drive business development, with the aim of broadening the firm's reach and generating new opportunities.
28/11/2012
+ Kent firm Cripps brings in property expert
Expertise from the property industry is to guide expansion at Cripps Harries Hall
16/11/2012
+ Southern Housing Group names 12 to £6m legal services framework
Southern Housing Group names 12 to £6m legal services framework
 07/02/2012
+ Expert views on Sleeperz
Glenn Miller comments on the strength of covenants.
 01/03/2011
+ 'Gazumping' in the London market is back
The London residential market remains very active with evidence of competition for the most desirable properties.
 15/12/2010

Key contacts

Jason Towell
Property development
+44 (0)1892 506 218
e-mail

What others say

"The fees are competitive and good value for money."

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