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Property and Estates - case studies

Ambulance Trust estate reconfiguration

We recently undertook a major piece of work for an Ambulance Trust client, which found itself needing to carry out a complete reconfiguration of its estate. The majority of its properties were old and inappropriate to the changing needs of the Ambulance Service. Many had difficult titles, with covenants and rights which made development and operation difficult. In some circumstances, there was no title at all. The Trust needed to deal with the disposal of many of its sites and, in parallel, acquire a number of new sites for central ‘Hubs’ to be set up.

Our key initial goal was to ensure that we understood our client’s requirements. We worked with our client and their agents to identify the optimum location to build a new ‘Hub’. We dealt with all the usual legal work associated with the purchase of a new, brownfield, site for the Hub, including carrying out careful planning inquiries and considering adjoining properties to deal with potential party wall and right to light concerns. We reported to our client on the details of the purchase in order to enable them to make the final decision to purchase. As the site was to be comprehensively redeveloped, we also advised on all the aspects of the development arrangements. We negotiated a development agreement which dealt with the construction obligations and which needed to inter-relate with the building contract.

Relevant tax advice was given to the Trust by our specialist Tax Department to ensure that they were maximising any potential tax savings that may have been available.

Our property and construction teams worked side by side with the client’s core team to deliver the new Hub project on time and to budget. We then worked with the client to prepare its redundant properties for sale. This involved ensuring good title could be shown in the marketing process, resolving issues of dilapidation and encroachment by neighbours, and where appropriate, gaining planning permission prior to sale. We then helped the client coordinate the complex operation of moving from the old ambulance stations to the new Hub.

By immersing ourselves in the client's business, and really understanding the nature and need for their property rationalisation, we were able to maintain optimum communication with the client and successful completion of their objectives.

For further information please contact:
Alison Buckingham
Tel: 0870 194 1667
alison.buckingham@bevanbrittan.com

Working with Bevan Brittan