Social housing in Yorkshire And The Humber
Bevan Brittan LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP's dedicated housing practice focuses on property and development work with a substantial housing association and local authority client base. The group also handles social housing finance and governance work, property sales and resales, and housing management issues. Richard Stirk leads the Leeds-based security, property development and sales team alongside Julie Cowan-Clark, who focuses on housing association clients. Hugo Stephens is a key contact for finance work, and John Cox handles housing management work.
Practice head(s):
Richard Stirk; Julie Cowan-Clark
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Bevan Brittan fields a team of strong practitioners, which stands out in the market‘.
‘Julie Cowan-Clark is a sound operator‘.
Key clients
Yorkshire Housing Limited
Together Housing Association Limited
Connect Housing Association Limited
Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association Limited
Unity Housing Association Limited
Torus Group
Warrington Borough Council
Acis Group
Places for People
St Annes Community Services
Work highlights
- Advising Yorkshire Housing Limited on a multi-party acquisition of a key development site in Helmsley.
- Assisting Together Housing Association Limited with the refinancing of its £210m loan facility from Dexia Credit Local by increasing its loans with four other lenders.
- Acting for Yorkshire Housing Limited on multiple development sites across Yorkshire to achieve its corporate plan commitment to acquire and develop 3000 homes by 2021.
- Advising Together Housing Association Limited on the full recertification of 1,300 units of stock to facilitate moving the stock to a security trustee arrangement.
- Assisting Warrington Borough Council with the consent to Helena Partnerships and Golden Gates Housing Trust conversion to a community benefit society and the subsequent merger with Liverpool Mutual Homes.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP regularly advises on complex national housing renewal schemes and has notable expertise in social housing PFI work, finance issues and London housing zone matters. Clients encompass national housing associations, local authorities and government departments. Group leader Anne Bowden acts nationally for housing clients with significant experience in London housing schemes, legal director Nick McDonald has specialist expertise in site assembly and vacant possession matters, and Stephen Glass counts housebuilders and developers as clients.
Practice head(s):
Anne Bowden
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Pinsent Masons is easily one of the best firms in the region for social housing work and is led by the exceptional Anne Bowden‘.
Key clients
Homes England
Westminster City Council
London Borough ofLambeth
London Borough ofHaringey
Galliford Try Partnerships
Lovell Partnerships
Countryside Properties
London Borough ofWandsworth
London Borough ofHackney
London Borough of Brent
Places for People
London & Quadrant
Hyde Housing Association
Work highlights
- Advising Westminster City Council on its Church Street regeneration project, which involves over 1,750 homes and Church Street market.
- Assisting London Borough of Wandsworth with the creation of a joint venture to deliver the 2,000-home Winstanley and York Road project.
- Acting for Leeds City Council on its Eastern Leeds Orbital Road extension to facilitate the urban extension of 5,000 new homes.
- Advising Homes England on multiple housing development projects including the procurement of a new development partner for the regeneration of Standish Hospital in Gloucestershire, and the procurement of a developer for the construction of a residential scheme.
- Handling the 1,100-home regeneration of Alton Estate in Roehampton, London for London Borough of Wandsworth.
Walker Morris LLP
Walker Morris LLP's client base spans housing associations, local authorities, registered providers, contractors, arms-length management organisations and finance clients. The team regularly assists with development and construction transactions, procurement work, joint ventures, housing regulation, housing management, disputes, affordable housing disposals and finance work. Chris Woodthorpe leads the department, which also includes Karl Anders, who heads up the housing management and litigation team; and public sector expert David Kilduff.
Practice head(s):
Chris Woodthorpe
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Walker Morris is dedicated and responds quickly to client requests, and tries to add value to the matter wherever possible‘.
Key clients
Homes England
Hyde Housing Association
Anchor Hanover Group
St Leger Homes Doncaster
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing
Broadacres Housing Association
Bpha
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Rykneld Homes
Harrogate BC
First Choice Homes
Work highlights
- Advising Home Group on the construction of multiple developments across the UK including 66 dwellings in Darlington and 66 dwellings in Carlisle.
- Assisting Harrogate Borough Council with its strategy to acquire and potentially develop affordable housing.
- Advising South Cambridgeshire District Council and its housing company on its development opportunities.
- Acting for Homes England on its acquisition of a site for a mixed-tenure housing development in Plymouth.
Rollits LLP
Rollits LLP focuses on the regional market, with notable strength in East and North Yorkshire. The team, which is led by Douglas Oliver in York, handles development issues, construction matters, general residential property issues including landlord and tenant work and shared ownership mandates, and charity law. Oliver primarily acts for registered providers. David Myers is a key name for construction work.
Practice head(s):
Douglas Oliver
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Rollits has excellent relationships with its clients thanks to a wide knowledge of the subject matter, and a professional, efficient and reliable approach‘.
‘David Myers is a dedicated professional. He has excellent attention to detail and expert knowledge of conveyancing and contract law. He deals with the clients personally and is trustworthy and efficient‘.
Key clients
Yorkshire Housing Limited
Leeds Federated Housing Association
Pickering & Ferens Homes
Boston Mayflower Limited
Hull Churches Housing Association
The Abbeyfield Society
Work highlights
- Advising a Hull-based charity on the auction sale of a portfolio of properties, which the registered provider considered unsuitable in its holdings.
- Assisting Yorkshire Housing Limited with its purchase of a development site in West Yorkshire.
- Acting for a Hull-based charity on the transfer of multiple units from one part of the charity to another, which is a registered provider.
Ward Hadaway
Ward Hadaway's Northern team handles all aspects of the social housing sphere, including development work, governance issues, housing management, planning matters, finance mandates and litigation. In the Leeds office, John Murray heads up the social housing group and the housing management team; he specialises in housing management and contentious matters including anti-social behaviour work, disrepair claims and leasehold disputes. Associate Simon Thirtle is also recommended and counts registered providers as clients.
Practice head(s):
John Murray
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Ward Hadaway is a strong team in the North and is dedicated to getting the best results for its clients‘.
Key clients
Livin Housing
Thirteen Group
South Lakes Housing
Yorkshire Housing
Byker Community Trust
Home Group
Mosscare St Vincent’s
Home Group
Bernicia
County Durham Housing Group
Work highlights
- Advising South Lakes Housing on its acquisition of tenanted stock in Kendal from The Guinness Partnership.
- Assisting Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council with a project to bring empty houses back into use.