The Modern Landed Estate Podcast – How can an estate go about developing 100 houses?

We have been advising the owners of rural and urban estates throughout our long history and are attuned to the multiple challenges owners face to run the estate effectively, from economic instability, the impact of changing regulations to the effects of climate change. 

In our newly launched, Modern Landed Estate podcast series, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and key considerations for estate owners. We look at how the decisions made today can shape the estate’s future for generations and explore the options for land diversification – whether that’s selling for development, taking on the development process yourself, or something in between.

In episode one, Hayden Bailey, Sarah Rock, Sophie Henwood and Andrew Loan share their insights and unpack the options on a dilemma many landowners face with a fictional case study…

Imagine an estate in Sussex, spanning 8,000 acres, with a farmhouse, workers’ cottages, and several agricultural barns. Recently, the local authority updated its plan, and after some strategic lobbying, a small section of the estate has been allocated for residential development – potentially 100 homes. Housebuilders are circling, but the owners aren’t sure which direction to take. Will selling to a developer be the best long-term decision? Or should they take control and develop the homes themselves?

Together, they look at the framework for an estate owner looking to take on the development themselves, how to retain control when negotiating terms with developers, the key tax considerations and the role of succession planning. 

Over the course of the series, we will speak to experts from across the spectrum of private client, taxation, real estate and construction and hope to deliver some real-life insights from those who have embarked on similar projects and have navigated similar pastures. Find out more about the series here.