Our team has extensive experience advising developers and landowners in relation to common land law and the risks to development and land values associated with town and village green (TVG) law.
TVG law sounds quaint but actually poses the most serious potential threat to development value in the market in England and Wales. It continues to be underestimated by many landowners and developers. Registration of a site makes building unlawful and there is no compensation for the loss of development value. We have been heavily involved in advising in this area since the growth in applications 18 years ago, and can give clear and pragmatic advice informed by the realities of successfully resisting TVG applications at numerous public inquiries.
Common land is another esoteric area of law, which can also trip up developers. We have advised in variety of scenarios to facilitate development.
Areas of focus
Our expertise in common land law includes the following:
- Advising on commons de-registration and commons works applications under Commons Act 2006 to facilitate development, including public inquiries and advocacy.
- Advising on TVG risk for development land and strategies to reduce or eliminate risk as part of an overall development and planning strategy.
- Advising on objections to TVG applications through written representations and by way of public inquiry, including advocacy.
- Advising on legal challenge to TVG decisions granting registration of land.