Strategic land


Strategic land is key to providing the new homes and communities needed to deliver national housing growth. Whatever your project, from start to finish we have the expertise.

Strategic land projects are no longer simply about buy-develop-sell. Landowners now seek ways of staying in for the long haul on the delivery of large-scale sites. They're focussed on place-making and achieving higher values over extended periods, to maximise the potential of their investment return - often referred to as the stewardship model.

Whatever stage you are at, we have the experience and technical expertise to guide you through the journey, from site acquisition to completed scheme. At each step along the way, we can help you make choices which will underpin the success of your project and protect your reputation through a long-term legacy.

Our experience


Our large team of specialist lawyers, working in multi-disciplinary teams have a wealth of project-based experience and expertise, to give commercially-focused advice enabling you to achieve a strong market position.

We advise a wide range of clients in both the private and public sectors on a variety of projects, on greenfield sites and brownfield or urban regeneration. We help deliver residential schemes creating new neighbourhoods with significant public realm, green spaces and community amenities, as well as strategic commercial developments in business parks and on university and hospital campuses.

Our work currently includes:

  • Supporting a master developer in assembling a large site through a series of promotion and option agreements, in the absence of a landowner collaboration agreement.

  • Providing strategic advice on the options for disposal, collaboration with adjoining landowners, joint venture arrangements with a house builder development partner and Homes England funding for enabling infrastructure works.

  • Devising and implementing bespoke and innovative documentation to enable place-making and multi-phase sales of serviced land parcels for residential and commercial development on a large scale sustainable urban extension sites. 

  • Advising master developers on infrastructure delivery, construction of new schools and other community buildings, new homes, neighbourhood centres, major commercial premises and manufacturing facilities on several very large sites.

  • Establishing estate management strategies and service charge recovery schemes for in-perpetuity provision of high quality open spaces and community facilities, creating a long-term legacy for the developing landowners, acting for landowners, developers and stewardship bodies.

Did you know?

Leading lawyers

Many of our specialist team of lawyers are listed as leading individuals in Chambers.

New communities

We're advising on creating a new community at Alconbury Weald of 6,500 new homes. 

Scale of practice

Advising on over 30 key strategic sites nationally, acting for landowners, local planning authorities, promoters, master developers and house builders.

What our clients say about us?

“Very personable team who seeks to do a deal and find solutions to achieve their clients’ goals.”

Legal 500

“Mills & Reeve have been very good at handling a number of complex transactions, working hard to understand our business and the market in which we operate and providing a highly responsive service.”

Chambers

“The team has real strength in depth and excellent technical knowledge. They are also very responsive, and genuinely nice people to deal with. They want to work with you to find the best approach and outcome and are flexible around fee arrangements.”

Legal 500

“We are extremely pleased with the strong relationship we have forged with Mills & Reeve’s real estate team with whom we work on a wide variety of projects. They invest heavily in our relationship taking time to get to know our business.”

Legal 500

“They are very straightforward, easy to deal with and provide clear advice.”

Chambers

“The practice provides practical solutions to property issues.”

Legal 500

“Mostly it’s their willingness to work as a team, collaborate and work together. Every person I’ve dealt with has been a pleasure to speak to and work with. They’re open to feedback and always looking to improve and learn.”

Legal 500

Our clients


We work with a range of clients – private individuals, corporate landowners, stock market listed developers, central and local government, and other public sector organisations, including: 

  • Urban&Civic plc
  • Marshall Group
  • Countryside Properties
  • Oxbridge colleges, Trinity College, Cambridge and Christ Church, Oxford
  • Church Commissioners
  • The Land Trust 
  • Defence Infrastructure Organisation
  • University of Surrey
  • University of Northampton
  • Ipswich Borough Council
  • Over 50 landed estates

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

Meet our team

Real estate blog

Our real estate blog, written by our team of specialist real estate lawyers, offers you regular updates and commentary on the latest legal news in the ever changing world of real estate.