Site To Be Used For Over 700 New Homes
The Real Estate team within the Sheffield office of leading law firm, Irwin Mitchell, has advised long-standing client Hallam Land Management Limited and its joint-venture partner The Harpur Trust on a multi-million pound land sale to Bovis Homes and Linden Homes.
The sale of the site in Biddenham in Bedfordshire represents the culmination of 17 years of work by Hallam Land and Irwin Mitchell which started with the acquisition of a small part of the site in 1997. Irwin Mitchell have advised Hallam Land since then on the acquisition of the other parts of the site, on the obtaining of a detailed planning permission and in liaising with Bedford Borough Council in respect of key infrastructure works. The disposal of the site to Bovis and Linden will result in the eventual delivery of over 700 new homes, a new school, playing fields and country park. The deal will also see the long-awaited completion of the Bedford Western Bypass.
Established in 1990, Hallam Land Management Limited is the strategic land and planning promotion arm of the Henry Boot Group of Companies. Based in Sheffield, but with offices in Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Northampton, Hallam specialises in identifying sites with development potential and then promoting them through the planning process. Hallam has interests in around 10,000 acres of land amounting to some 130 current projects.
Expert Opinion
“This transaction is the culmination of almost two decades of close work between Hallam Land and Irwin Mitchell and we are very pleased to have helped Hallam Land (and the Harpur Trust) in realising the value of their investment and commitment to the site. The transaction will result in the delivery of much needed new housing to the Biddenham area. We are proud to have played our part in this major scheme and look forward to seeing how the site develops in the future.”
Thomas Hall, Partner
Nick Duckworth, Director of Hallam Land, said: “On behalf of Hallam Land and the Harpur Trust I am delighted that we have been able successfully to conclude this transaction after a significant amount of work over almost twenty years. We look forward to seeing Bovis Homes and Linden successfully develop the site and to working with them in future. Our long-standing relationship with Irwin Mitchell helped to ensure that the deal was concluded swiftly and smoothly, with them understanding our goals and working diligently to achieve them.”
Thomas Hall, Real Estate Partner In Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, advised on the sale to Bovis Homes and Linden Homes.
Bovis Homes were advised in-house by Daniel Hammond, Linden Homes were advised by DAC Beachcroft. The Harpur Trust were also advised by Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV). Simon Greenwood of Savills acted as agent on the sale.