Public Sector Property Law
You can rely on our commitment to the Public Sector and be reassured by our legal experts who specialise in all aspects of Real Estate and Public Law, including Education, Social Housing and Local Government.
What is involved with public sector property?
We understand the implications of these tough economic times for many Public Sector projects. If your resources are under pressure from spending constraints, you can face real viability issues. However, with many of these projects being so vital to local communities and economies, effective progression is key.
This is where having our skilled and pragmatic legal Real Estate team at your side can make the difference.
Our capable commercial property lawyers have in-depth familiarity with compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), housing and mixed use schemes, private finance initiatives (PFIs), public-private partnerships (PPPs), procurement issues and state aid, and grant schemes.
You can rely on our commitment to the Public Sector and be reassured by our legal experts who specialise in all aspects of Real Estate and Public Law, including Education, Social Housing and Local Government.
Our expertise
We are used to working with the types of stakeholders which public authorities partner with. We structure transactions to deal with best value and state aid issues.
With our understanding of regulatory frameworks, we can frame your projects for success. We have lawyers across Freeths who specialise in construction, corporate vehicles, development, finance, planning, procurement and tax – helping you to find the best solution to any given problem.
Call our Real Estate team now to discuss how we can help your next project.
Key contact
Nathan Holden
Partner & Head of Local Government
Get in touch
Why choose our public sector property team?
- We act for over 70 public sector bodies, giving us real experience that we can put to work for you
- We are approachable, cost-efficient and to explain things clearly
- We have a detailed knowledge of current issues within Public Sector property and how to avoid them
Notable work
- Advising Gedling Borough Council in relation to property procurement and planning issues concerning their proposed redevelopment of the Arnold Town Centre. This is a significant project involving some 101 different property interests.
- Acting for over two years as advisers to Derby Cityscape Limited, a company formed to develop a range of post-industrial sites within the City of Derby. This is a major project to regenerate a large area of the inner city. It incorporates over 500 residential units, a leisure facility, retail and office accommodation and includes a tree-lined boulevard providing a link between the central retail area and the mainline railway station.
- Acting for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on an investment acquisition in excess of £60 million over the last 12 months.
- Advising a number of local authorities in connection with establishing companies and other options for the purposes of holding commercial property assets and directly investing in commercial property generally. These have included Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Liverpool City Council, North Lincolnshire Council, London Borough of Newham and the London Borough of Havering.
- Acting for London Borough of Havering on forward funding a large residential block with a value of £16 million for the Council’s housing company.
- Advised on a range of real estate and commercial projects, in particular most recently Leicester City Council in connection with their Waterside Project. This was a £100 million scheme to redevelop an old industrial area close to Leicester City Centre. We advised on the procurement process and most recently in connection with the making and promotion of a compulsory purchase order.
- Advising several local authorities on asset disposal programmes. This recently includes an East Midlands authority on the complex disposal of surplus land for residential development subject to overage and charge-back provisions, a Greater London authority on disposals as part of an area-wide Council housing regeneration scheme, and a North West authority on a series of development agreements/building leases for residential schemes along the Bridgewater Canal corridor.
- Advising on the purchase and ongoing management of a shopping centre for a local authority Pension Fund for a value of approximately £80 million, including dealing with due diligence aspects of the purchase and the subsequent grant of leases and ancillary documents.
Testimonials
PA
"James' team of lawyers worked seamlessly with the Council’s in-house staff and their other external advisers, including myself, engaged fully in t...
Property Adviser, Midlands District Council
SY
"I really appreciate the excellent work Freeths’ have done for us on this and other matters. It is great to have total confidence that matters will...
Simon Young, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
"Freeths' lawyers are acknowledged for their ‘excellent service and specialist expertise'. Nathan Holden, who heads the team, is particularly recom...
Client testimonial
“Freeths team members have good availability and always respond within the time frame set for completions.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
“The team are extremely responsive and client-friendly.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
Meet the team
Patrick Adie
National Head of Housebuilding & Strategic Land
Nathan Holden
Partner & Head of Local Government
James Hart
Regional Lead for Real Estate in the Midlands – Partner in the Housebuilding & Strategic Land Team
Maxine Chenoweth
Managing Associate
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Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
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