Turning Development Potential into Commercial Success
Property development remains one of the most exciting and rewarding sectors of the UK property market. Whether you are a developer bringing forward a residential scheme, a landowner seeking to maximise value through planning, an investor acquiring strategic land, or a business pursuing a mixed-use development, success depends upon careful planning, strong commercial decision-making and specialist legal support.
At Streathers, our Commercial Property team works with developers, investors, landowners, housing associations, lenders and entrepreneurs on projects across London and the South East. We provide strategic advice throughout the entire development lifecycle, from site acquisition and planning through to funding, disposal and asset management.
Our approach is simple: identify risk early, unlock opportunities wherever possible and help clients achieve the best commercial outcome from their property assets.
Strategic Land Opportunities in a Competitive Market
As development land becomes increasingly scarce across London and the South East, many developers are looking beyond traditional acquisition models and exploring strategic land opportunities.
These transactions frequently involve:
- Option agreements
- Conditional contracts
- Promotion agreements
- Strategic land acquisitions
- Land assembly projects
- Joint venture arrangements
- Development site disposals
The legal structure established at the beginning of a project can have a significant impact on future profitability. A carefully negotiated option or conditional contract can provide developers with flexibility while protecting their investment and reducing risk.
Equally, landowners need expert advice to ensure that future development value is properly protected and realised.
Development Site Acquisitions and Due Diligence
Acquiring a development site involves much more than agreeing a purchase price.
Our team advises on:
- Freehold and leasehold site acquisitions
- Registered and unregistered land
- Title investigations
- Easements and rights of way
- Restrictive covenants
- Overage arrangements
- Planning constraints
- Infrastructure issues
- Environmental considerations
Understanding these issues at an early stage allows developers and investors to make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises further down the line.
Planning and Development Agreements
Many successful developments depend on securing planning permission and navigating increasingly complex planning obligations.
We regularly advise on:
- Section 106 Agreements
- Planning-led development projects
- Development agreements
- Conditional planning acquisitions
- Infrastructure arrangements
- Promotion and collaboration agreements
As planning requirements continue to evolve, developers need commercially focused legal advice that supports project viability while satisfying regulatory requirements.
Development Finance and Funding Solutions
Securing the right funding can be one of the most critical elements of a successful development.
Our Commercial Property team works closely with developers, lenders, investors and financial advisers on:
- Development finance facilities
- Real estate finance transactions
- Refinancing arrangements
- Property investment structures
- Security documentation
- Joint venture funding arrangements
Whether financing a single site acquisition or a large-scale development project, we help clients structure funding arrangements that support their commercial objectives.
Commercial, Residential and Mixed-Use Developments
Property development projects increasingly combine residential, commercial, retail and community uses.
Our experience includes advising on:
- Residential development sites
- Commercial developments
- Mixed-use schemes
- Retail developments
- Regeneration projects
- Strategic land promotion
- Investment-led developments
We understand the commercial realities facing developers and provide practical advice designed to keep projects moving forward.
Meet the Team
Roger Hoque, Partner
Roger Hoque joined Streathers in 2024 as a Partner in the Commercial Property team. With more than 20 years’ experience working in the City, Roger advises developers, investors, landowners, lenders and occupiers on all aspects of commercial property law.
His expertise includes:
- Strategic land transactions
- Development schemes
- Option agreements
- Conditional contracts
- Commercial acquisitions and disposals
- Commercial leasing
- Real estate finance
- Development funding
- Section 106 planning agreements
Roger’s recent experience includes:
- Advising on a development option over multiple properties in South London, securing planning consent with a view to a sale to a housing association.
- Acting on the acquisition of a farmhouse and equestrian centre in Kent for development purposes.
- Advising on development funding arrangements across Greater London.
- Acting on strategic sub-sale transactions involving development land.
- Advising on the sale of a market-leading supermarket on the South Coast.
- Acting for a tenant operating a national chain of charity retail stores.
- Advising a client acquiring children’s homes across the country.
Roger is known for delivering commercially focused advice that helps clients unlock development opportunities while carefully managing legal and commercial risk.
Janine Gibbs, Senior Associate
Janine Gibbs joined Streathers in January 2026 as a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team.
With over 20 years’ experience, Janine advises on a broad range of residential and commercial property matters including:
- Acquisitions and disposals
- Commercial leases
- Development site structures
- Option agreements
- Property refinancing
- Freehold and leasehold transactions
- Registered and unregistered land
- Investment property transactions
Recent client feedback includes:
“Janine is clear, supportive, and fair. She deals with problems professionally and has attention to detail.”
and
“Janine is an exceptional solicitor; I highly recommend her.”
Her technical expertise, attention to detail and commercial approach make her a trusted adviser to investors, developers and high-net-worth individuals alike.
Laura Owens, Partner
Laura joined Streathers in 2018, being promoted to Partner in the Real Estate team in 2021. Laura specialises in prime residential property transactions, advising high-net-worth individuals, investors and developers across the residential market and in connection with prestige and prime residential schemes and developments.
Laura advises in respect of:
- Prime Central London acquisitions and disposals
- High-value freehold and leasehold transactions
- Development site acquisitions
- Title structuring for the purposes of development disposals
- Bespoke tailored lease, and sale pack preparation in connection with prestige residential scheme plot sales
- Property and development finance matters
- Residential investment transactions
- Unregistered land
- Title rectification and registration issues
Laura’s practice is built around the principle that complex transactions should be presented clearly and managed efficiently.
Recent experience includes:
- Advising on the acquisition of an Edwardian terrace comprising 18 flats. Restructuring ownership arrangements, splitting the unbroken freehold title to create a separate freehold titles for each block in the terrace, preparing leases for the flats, and coordinating finance from multiple lenders on each block in the terrace.
- Advising on the acquisition of a residential block comprising 23 flats, and associated car park. Restructuring the title to create a separate freehold title for the car park, and thereafter advising on the development sale of the residential block with planning permission for the construction of an additional floor, and development sale of the car park with planning permission for the construction of 5 mews houses.
- Advising on the acquisition of a Grade II Listed Mews House, and associated S106 Agreement associated with planned redevelopment works.
Why Choose Streathers for Property Development?
Successful developments require more than technical legal advice. They require advisers who understand the commercial objectives driving a project.
By combining Roger Hoque’s expertise in strategic land, planning-led development projects and development funding with Janine Gibbs’ experience in complex property transactions, development site set-ups and high-value acquisitions, Streathers offers developers a comprehensive service from inception through to completion.
Our Commercial Property team regularly advises on:
- Strategic land acquisitions
- Property development projects
- Option agreements
- Conditional contracts
- Commercial and mixed-use developments
- Development finance
- Section 106 Agreements
- Commercial leasing
- Property investment
- Portfolio transactions
- Refinancing arrangements
- Development disposals
Whether you are promoting land for development, acquiring a site, securing funding, managing a development scheme or disposing of a completed project, we provide clear, commercially focused advice at every stage.
Speak to Our Property Development Team
If you are considering a development opportunity, acquiring strategic land, seeking development finance or planning a commercial or residential scheme, our experienced team would be delighted to assist.
For specialist advice on property development and commercial real estate matters, please contact Roger Hoque, Janine Gibbs or a member of the Streathers Commercial Property team.
