Developing Land – legal support for developers

We understand that there is not one mould to fit every development. At Hopkins we work with you to provide proactive, strategic advice throughout your development from acquisition to disposal, always considering the end goal, be it sale or retention of the completed development.

Site Acquisition

Whether buying a site with the benefit of planning permission, or conditional on obtaining planning permission we can help you with drafting a negotiating a range of acquisition agreements including:

• Unconditional Contracts
• Conditional Contracts
• Option Agreements
• Joint Venture and Collaborative Agreements
• Option Agreements
• Exclusivity Agreements
• Land Promotion Agreements

Planning Agreements

Planning Agreements are often unavoidable, but they need not hold up the commencement of your development. We will work with you to ensure that any necessary plannign agreements are negotiated in a timely manner whilst ensuring that they meet the requirements of future buyers and lenders. We can provide advice on agreements including:

• Section 111 Agreements
• Section 106 Agreements
• Unilateral Undertakings
• Variations of Planning Agreements

Infrastructure & Adoption Agreements

We understand the importance of the work that happens behind the scenes to get a development off the ground. We will work with you to ensure that the right agreements are in place in a timely manner to avoid delays with your development including:

• Road Adoption Agreements
• Sewer Adoption Agreements
• Easements for Services
• Sustainably Urban Drainage Scheme (SuDs) Easements and Agreements

Public Open Space and Management Agreements

From transfers to local authorities and parish councils, to the setting up of resident management companies, we will work with you to ensure that the legacy of your development is handed over to the right people, minimising future risk to you and ensuring compliance with any planning requirements. We can help you with:

• Land transfers to third parties including local authorities, parish councils and third-party management companies.
• Setting up owner/occupier Freehold Management Companies
• Setting up owner/occupier Leasehold Management Companies
• Drafting and negotiating Management Agreements

Finance & Funding Agreements

We advise and negotiate on finance and funding agreements and the securities relating thereto. Whether for short-term or long-term development finance, mainstream or alternative lenders we ensure that funding agreements work for your development and are not overly prohibitive. We strongly believe that all funding agreements should be clear and transparent so that you do not incur unexpected and unnecessary costs in relation to your development finance.