Local government real estate
Browne Jacobson has a leading reputation when it comes to delivering a cost-effective real estate legal service to local authorities. We have in-depth experience of working with over 200 local authorities. And, in each one, our lawyers are embedded every day in handling high-profile and strategic built environment projects and supporting the full range of transactional and operational requirements for our local government sector clients.
From housing to investment and place-making regeneration, we connect our clients with key stakeholders in other sectors and advise strategically in a setting which is steeped in the public sector.
Our specialisms include:
- Acquisition and disposals of freehold and leasehold sites.
- Large-estate management for authorities with sizeable real estate estates, or who are transitioning their management of their estate.
- Site assembly and regeneration projects for, including the necessary procurement and construction advice to support delivery.
- Private and social housing delivery, large strategic land delivery and infrastructure projects, including garden communities and associated joint ventures and land value capture.
- CPO advice and acting on development sites affected by strategic planning issues.
- Investments in real estate and sale and lease-backs
- Strategic and estate real estate litigation advice, support on dilapidations and lease renewals and rights of light on new development projects v Mixed-use development projects between private and public sector bodies.
- Property tax advice – from day-to-day structuring and transactional advice (eg freehold disposals, leases, lease renewals etc), to more bespoke tax advice, especially in relation to VAT and SDLT issues on tax issues, including on public-private joint ventures, and on local authorities establishing corporate vehicles for outsourced service provision and ‘mutuals’.
With such an array of real estate law expertise, you will be in safe hands as we work together to find the right outcome for you. We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.
Featured experience
A local authority
Acquisition of 9 Colmore Row - a significant tenanted city centre asset next to Snow Hill Station for Birmingham City Council.
A local authority
“Golden Brick” purchases of affordable housing from developers to deliver good quality rented housing for local people for Sedgemoor District Council.
A local authority
Strategic acquisition of The Pavements Shopping Centre in Chesterfield from investment company vendors for Chesterfield Borough Council.
A local authority
Working with Coventry City Council regarding letting Bellway Homes for their regional head office.
Key contacts
Zo Hoida
Partner
Thomas Howard
Partner
Ayesha Khalique
Partner
Philip Gray
Partner
Jonathan Borer
Partner
Dan Insole
Senior Associate
Barry Sully
Partner
Scott Mounfield
Partner
James Coles
Partner
Katie Briggs
Principal Associate
You may be interested in...
12 June 2025
Opinion
Is new AI tool the secret ingredient for ending planning delays? Answer: Almost certainly not
29 May 2025
Legal Update - Planning reform
All change: The implications of planning reform upon regeneration projects
29 May 2025
Legal Update
Supporting local authorities in tackling housing challenges
15 May 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson appointed to Adra legal framework as housing association launches 2030 vision
09 May 2025
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson appoints Will Thomas as Partner in planning team
07 May 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson signs strategic partnership with Local Government Information Unit
06 May 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson to explore skills challenges in built environment at UKREiiF event
24 April 2025
Legal Update
Conservation covenants: A useful tool in the toolbox?
24 April 2025
Legal Update
Changes to s.106 procedures required to safeguard planning permission
03 April 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson returns to UKREiiF 2025
06 March 2025
Opinion
The Government publishes the Commonhold White Paper citing the beginning of the end for the 'feudal' leasehold system
28 February 2025
Opinion
The Supreme Court provides welcome clarification on a problematic area of the law on adverse possession
26 February 2025
Legal Update
Law Commission ‘call to consult’ on compulsory purchase orders (CPO)
20 January 2025
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Norwich City Council on Anglia Square regeneration scheme
16 December 2024
Legal Update - Planning reform
Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning committees
15 November 2024
Opinion
Power for local authorities to conduct compulsory rental auctions of vacant high street properties to come into force next month
11 November 2024
Legal Update
Roundtable report: Community engagement in high street regeneration
25 October 2024
Press Release
Browne Jacobson sponsors public sector think tank on new report
23 October 2024
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises London Borough of Sutton on major town centre regeneration
06 November 2024
Training
Register your interest to join our next Home Delivery Academy
10 July 2024
Published Article
The future of devolution: How a Labour majority could redefine local powers in England
22 May 2024
Legal Update
How local authorities can deal with unlawful encampments
10 May 2024
Press Release
Browne Jacobson to lead discussions on the future of real estate and infrastructure at this year’s UKREiiF 2024 event
25 January 2024
Opinion
Government consultation launched on contractual controls on land
18 December 2023
Legal Update
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Are we ready for it?
15 December 2023
Legal Update
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
06 December 2023
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advise North East Lincolnshire Council on Property Sale
30 November 2023
Legal Update
COP28 - how to limit and prepare for future climate change
22 November 2023
Legal Update
Countdown to Biodiversity Net Gain
14 August 2023
Podcast
The real estate podcast: How AI and tech is changing real estate
26 June 2023
Legal Update
Higher-risk buildings – are you ready for 30 September 2023?
17 May 2023
Legal Update
Utilising prime retail sites to improve the health of our nation
24 April 2023
Legal Update
Understanding the obligations and implications for open space land and development
24 March 2023
Opinion
Biodiversity Net Gain - Government publishes its metric consultation response & Natural England publishes their update biodiversity metric 4.0
22 March 2023
Legal Update
Section 106 Agreements: I’m not dead yet
20 March 2023
Press Release
UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson joins UKREiiF 2023
21 February 2023
Legal Update
Biodiversity Net Gain — Government publishes consultation response
16 February 2023
Opinion
‘Awaab’s Law’- a significant amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill
13 February 2023
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s real estate specialists advise Chesterfield Borough Council on prestigious new development - One Waterside Place
10 February 2023