Property Development Solicitors

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or taking your first steps into property development, Clarkson Wright & Jakes is here to guide you.

Our specialist property development solicitors in Orpington provide clear, commercially focused advice on the acquisition of property and subsequent development, helping you avoid pitfalls and unlock your investment’s full potential. We understand the complexities of site acquisition and development, from initial due diligence to securing planning permission, drafting bespoke development agreements and managing plot sales. With our extensive local knowledge and proactive approach, CWJ has become the trusted partner developers turn to time and again.

Our Expertise

At Clarkson Wright & Jakes, we deliver a comprehensive legal service tailored to the needs of developers, investors and landowners. Our property development team has decades of experience across a broad range of site development projects, helping clients successfully navigate:

• Land acquisition and disposal
• Site investigations and title checks
• Option agreements and conditional contracts
• Planning and infrastructure agreements
• Construction documentation
• Plot sales and leases
• Splitting titles for individual plots or units

Splitting Titles

For developers planning to sell or lease individual units within a larger site, title splitting is a crucial step. Our solicitors manage the legal process of dividing a single registered title into multiple titles, ensuring that each plot or unit can be sold or mortgaged independently. We handle Land Registry applications, draft the necessary rights and covenants, and ensure that estate infrastructure (such as roads, drainage, and access routes) is properly accounted for in each title. This is a key part of preparing a development for phased sales or long-term asset management.

Plot Sales for Developers

Selling individual plots within a larger development requires careful planning and legal execution. CWJ’s team manages the legal side of residential plot sales efficiently, ensuring each transaction aligns with your development strategy and timeline. Our solicitors can prepare and manage:

• Standardised sale contracts
• Reservation agreements
• Deeds of grant for easements and rights of way
• Estate management schemes and covenants
• Split titles and registrations

By streamlining the legal process, we help you secure faster completions and maximise returns across your development.

Key Considerations When Acquiring a Site

Before committing to a development site, thorough legal and commercial analysis is essential. Our acquisition services include comprehensive due diligence, focusing on these key areas:

• Planning permissions
• Environmental constraints (contamination, flood zones, protected habitats)
• Infrastructure and highway agreements (access, Section 38/278 obligations)
• Site accessibility (rights of way, easements)
• Commercial viability (title restrictions, covenants, overage provisions)

These checks ensure you understand any potential risks or hidden costs before exchange of contracts.

Planning & Development Agreements

Our solicitors are well-versed in the complex legal instruments needed to bring a development to life. We can assist with:

• Section 106 agreements (developer contributions to infrastructure or affordable housing)
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) advice (liabilities, exemptions and reliefs)
• Rights of way and easements (securing legal access and utility connections)
• Utility and service access agreements

We negotiate and register these agreements to future-proof your development and satisfy the requirements of the local planning authority.

Support for All Development Types

CWJ provides tailored legal advice for all types of development projects, whether residential, commercial or mixed-use. Our clients include private developers, housing associations, institutional investors and landowners. We have experience supporting:

• Single-unit residential sites – Ideal for private developers or bespoke new-build projects.
• Multi-unit housing estates – Managing infrastructure, plot sales and planning conditions across large-scale sites.
• Mixed-use commercial developments – Including retail, leisure and office space alongside residential units.
• Regeneration projects – Working with local authorities and stakeholders on brownfield and urban renewal schemes.

No matter the scale or complexity of your development, our team will ensure the legal side runs smoothly so you can focus on building value.

FAQs

How do I assess whether a site is suitable for development?
Our team will conduct thorough legal due diligence and assess the planning potential, highlighting any risks such as access issues, environmental constraints or title defects. We also liaise closely with planning consultants and surveyors to provide you with a comprehensive view of the site’s development potential.

What legal steps are involved in acquiring a development site?
Key steps include due diligence, negotiating and agreeing the purchase contract (often conditional on planning), exchange of contracts, completion and registration. We also handle planning agreements and title transfers.

What is title splitting and why is it important?
Title splitting involves dividing a single registered title into multiple legal titles, typically for the purpose of selling individual plots or units. This process ensures that each plot can be sold, leased or mortgaged independently and includes careful drafting of access rights, easements and covenants. Title splitting is essential for developers who are creating multiple units or planning phased sales.

How long does the site acquisition and development process typically take?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the site and planning requirements. Straightforward site purchases with existing permissions might complete in a few months, while larger or conditional deals can take significantly longer. We work to realistic timelines and communicate proactively at every stage to keep your project on track.

When should I get legal advice during a development project?
Engage a solicitor as early as possible – ideally before making an offer or agreeing heads of terms. Early legal advice can identify potential red flags, help structure the deal efficiently and prevent costly mistakes later on.

Why Choose Us?

At Clarkson Wright & Jakes (CWJ), we combine expert legal knowledge with a practical, commercial outlook. Our property development solicitors enjoy an outstanding reputation in Orpington and the wider Kent area, providing high-quality advice backed by decades of experience.

Why developers trust us:

• Deep understanding of the property and planning landscape
• Personalised service from a dedicated team of legal experts
• Proactive risk management and problem-solving
• Transparent fees and clear communication throughout the project
• Strong relationships with local authorities and industry professionals

Whether you’re acquiring your first development site or managing a complex, multi-unit scheme, our experienced team is here to help.

Please get in touch with our conveyancing team to find out how we can help by emailing cwj@cwj.co.uk. Alternatively, you can complete our online enquiry form.