Development of Agricultural Land

When you would like to realise the development potential of your land, our Agriculture and Estates team has the legal expertise you need. Our experts work closely with you to ensure the transaction is set up to ensure you maximise all the benefits.

Female lawyer by plot of farmer's land

Key contacts

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Emily Pumfrey

Partner

My family have farmed in Cambridgeshire for over 100 years. Through this first hand experience,  I understand that farming is a way of life, not just a job. As such, I am ideally placed to help explain legal concepts in your terms and to consider what they mean for you and your business.

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Gareth Williams

Partner

As a farmer’s son who grew up on a dairy farm in Herefordshire, agricultural and rural business law has always been a passion of mine. Specialising in this area allows me to remain working with and supporting an industry I know, and which is of fundamental importance.

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Meet the team

two women and one man standing in a field with a stately home in the background

Minimise the risk and maximise the potential

We have a wealth of experience with development transactions, meaning we can handle everything from a small sale up to a complex development with multiple landowners, frequently acting as the lead lawyer.

Our experience covers advising on:

  • The terms of agreements to enable the development of agricultural land, particularly promotion agreements, option agreements, hybrid agreements and landowner collaboration agreements
  • Documents for land pooling and other land value equalisation structures
  • Resuming possession of land with tenanted and regularising boundaries, covenants and other rights to enable the development of agricultural land.

Our clients include owner-occupier farmers, farming partnerships, farming companies, landed estates, institutional investors, conservation charities and people who hold rural land.

They trust us to help them realise the development potential of their land and reduce the risk of entering into complex and high value transactions.

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A team that understands what’s at stake

Our experience acting for farmers and landowners means we understand your development transactions need to fit with your existing business and, often, your family’s succession plans.

Our standing in the agricultural sector means we’re well-placed to draw on the support of specialists who work with rural businesses and estates in the context of development of agricultural land.

Alongside our agriculture and estates expertise, we can also call on the expertise of our colleagues in our Private Client team and other tax advisors to ensure the proceeds of any sale can be dealt with tax efficiently.

In other words, we take the time to get to know you and your business so we can provide pragmatic support that’s commercially sound, technically correct and emotionally intelligent.

Services from our Agriculture and Estates team

Hear what our clients say about us

I cannot thank Bryn Thomas enough for his professionalism and perseverance in a very difficult, drawn-out and challenging situation in the finalisation of my mother’s estate dispute.

Carrie Davies Estates dispute client

Many thanks, once again for both your hard work in this matter. I consider myself very lucky to have both of you acting for myself and family, I do not take this for granted what you both have done and continue to do.

Farming and Development Client Testimonial

The team is proactive, rather than reactive. Has a fantastic support network to accommodate any specialisms needed across the team, collaborating with difficult/complicated matters, meaning you are always getting the right, and best advice.

They provide seamless cover for any out of office requirements and their communication skills are exemplary, meaning you always know where you are with a transactions/job.

Legal 500 2024 Agriculture and Estates

HCR Hewitsons have been a longstanding partner of our organisation and supporting land acquisitions, disputes and projects of national significance for a number of years.

The firm are able to drill down to the necessary detail of a case quickly and effectively.

Legal 500 2024 Agriculture and Estates

Very knowledgeable about the subject matter and local idiosyncrasies. Personable, with a great eye for detail. In our case, they protected our position with vigour and demonstrated excellent commercial acumen. Well-connected to other professionals, with effective working relationships.

 

Legal 500 2024 Agriculture and Estates

From our first contact through to completion, the attention and communication was amazing. We feel very lucky to have been put in touch with you to represent us. As you know, we are now using HCR for the purchase of our next main home.

Client Sale of farmhouse and paddock land

Your service was just what was needed to solve this matter. I would always be very happy to use your services again if ever needed. Thanks again.

Client Dispute at livery yard

Many thanks for all your work on this and speedy responses to everything, you have made the whole process very simple for us. Thanks again!

Darren Gordon – General Manager Concept Environmental Solutions

Recognition of our work

Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Norfolk

Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Norfolk
Investors in People

Investors in People

Legal 500 2025 – Top Tier Firm

Legal 500 2025 – Top Tier Firm
Recommended for Quality

Recommended for Quality

Times Best Law Firm

Times Best Law Firm

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