Richard Owen Partner

Richard joined Burges Salmon in 1998.

He specialises in real estate development, real estate investment, minerals and escheat.

In relation to development matters, Richard acts exclusively for landowners. Typically this involves the disposal of development land by way of option, promotion agreement, conditional contract or competitive tender. Many of his transactions involve acting for consortia of landowners in their dealings with one or more developers.

Richard is also the lead partner advising The Crown Estate in relation to the management of its Traditional Portfolio, in addition to handling various acquisitions and disposals.

He also manages the administration of land reverting to The Crown of common law, under the doctrine of Escheat.

• Acting for a consortium of 13 landowners in relation to the creation of Sherford new community in South Devon, comprising over 1,100 acres of land. We exchanged an option agreement in 2005, and the land was sold to a consortium of developers in 2014.
• Acting for two family trusts on the grant of a hybrid agreement over land to the north west of Cardiff, now allocated in the local plan for the development of 7000 homes. We also concluded a landowners' agreement with a third landowner whose land forms part of the proposed development.
• Advising Guildford Cathedral on the disposal of surplus land for residential development, with the intention of creating an endowment to secure the long term future of the Cathedral.
• Advising Newbury Racecourse Plc on the disposal of surplus land for residential development of approximately 1,500 homes.