Our specialist property development solicitors support clients through every stage of site acquisition and development schemes. With deep expertise in property development law across the UK, we offer tailored legal solutions to guide your project from land purchase to construction and eventual disposal.
As experienced property development lawyers operating in Kent, and throughout the South East, we understand the legal complexities of development projects. We combine local insight with national reach to provide robust advice on site acquisition and development schemes.
We advise on all aspects of site acquisition, including site assembly, investigations, conditional offers, and contract negotiation. Our solicitors ensure acquisition deals are correctly structured to safeguard your interests, manage development scheme risk, and pave the way for efficient progression.
Development projects carry inherent legal risks. We help you avoid common issues: contamination, overage, Section 106 obligations, warranties, and planning constraints. Our team drafts and reviews critical documentation to protect your investment and ensure compliance.
From financial modelling to joint ventures, we assist in structuring transactions, securing funding, and aligning interests among stakeholders. Whether you need advice on forward sales, option agreements, or disposal strategies, our property development solicitors provide pragmatic and strategic solutions.
We take a collaborative and proactive role in delivering successful projects. Our professionals work closely with your architects, surveyors, funders, and planning consultants. With strengths in property litigation and commercial law, we provide a full‑service legal solution.
If you are planning a development scheme or considering a site acquisition, contact Warners Solicitors for a tailored consultation. Our team will assess your project requirements, explain risk, and discuss how our property development solicitors can support you every step of the way.
*This webpage is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note the law may have changed since this page was published. We do not accept responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the information on this page
Site acquisition refers to the process of securing land or rights to land (through purchase, option, or conditional contracts) for development purposes. It includes due diligence on title, access, utilities, planning risk, environmental factors, and negotiating acquisition terms.
Timelines vary depending on site complexity, planning approvals, infrastructure works, legal structuring, and market conditions. A project can take anywhere from 12 months to several years. Engaging specialist solicitors early helps manage delays and streamline progress.
Key risks include contaminated land, restrictive covenants, access disputes, overage obligations, planning constraints (e.g. S106), and failure to secure necessary consents. Expert legal advice can help identify and mitigate these risks before they derail the project.
It depends on your risk tolerance and project stage. An option agreement grants the right (but not the obligation) to purchase once certain conditions are met, whereas a conditional contract commits to purchase once specific conditions (e.g., planning permission) are satisfied. Our team can advise which model suits your strategy and help structure the agreement.
We provide comprehensive support, including drafting and negotiating option or conditional contracts, advising on planning obligations (Section 106), overage, collateral warranties, and liaising with funders, surveyors, and local authorities to ensure the legal structure aligns with your commercial goals.
Yes. Our service extends to plot-level sales or leases. We prepare sales documentation, warranties, rights, and manage common part obligations, ensuring disposals progress smoothly and maximising value for your development.
Costs depend on the project’s scale, complexity, site location, and transaction stages (acquisition, planning, development, and disposal).
