Development Services
Development Services
Bruton Knowles’ property Development Team works with landowners, local authorities, and housebuilders across the South-East, South-West, and the Midlands, with influence reaching all parts of England and Wales. We are a trusted partner in unlocking the full potential of development opportunities.
With a team of 20 specialists, many with decades of experience at Bruton Knowles, we are recognised as one of the UK’s leading national development teams. Our reputation for property development services expertise is built on close collaboration with developers, specialist solicitors, local authorities, and public and private landowners. Working alongside our planning colleagues, we deliver a comprehensive service tailored to your needs.
Our strong relationships with the rural community, local authorities, and residential and commercial developers mean we understand not just the sector but also the wider market dynamics and priorities of all stakeholders. This insight allows us to guide clients through the development process with confidence.
From identifying potential development sites and appointing promotion companies to managing the planning process and negotiating land sales, we offer end-to-end support. Whether marketing consented land or balancing commercial objectives, our property development services focus on delivering results that drive successful outcomes for our clients.
What we do best …
- Agency – Acquisitions and Disposals
- Strategic Land Identification and Promotion
- Option, Promotion and Joint Venture Agreement
- Development Consultancy including overage, access arrangements and restrictive covenants
- Valuation for a wide range of purposes
- Site Finding and Land Assembly
- Financial Viability Assessments
- Arbitration, Independent Expert and Expert Witness price determination
- Regeneration, feasibility and option appraisal
- Land Availability Assessments
- Biodiversity Net Gain
- Residential Investment Portfolio Disposals
112
Number of sites sold in last 3 years
£375,000,000
Total Value
5,000
Plots delivered
2,500
acres under option / promotion agreements capable of delivering approximately 15,000-20,000 plots
National Team
Our National Team has key experts located throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
Guy Emmerson
Partner, Development & Planning Faculty Head
BSc (Hons) MRICS RICS Registered Valuer
As Partner and specialist in development consultancy advice to a wide range of clients, Guy has been with the firm since 1998.
Based from the Guildford hub, Guy has extensive experience in the sale of residential development opportunities and focuses on the grant and exercise of option and promotion agreements, valuation of development land, viability assessments and the provision of general development consultancy advice across the UK.
Guy has featured on the Bruton Knowles Landmark Podcast, giving him opportunity to display his significant experience.
Ian Mercer
Partner, The Midlands
MRICS FAAV RICS Registered Valuer
Partner Ian is Head of Development and works primarily from the Birmingham hub. Ian holds extensive experience across the private, public, consultancy and residential/commercial development sectors – including a rural and compulsory purchase background.
Ian has been with Bruton Knowles since joining the firm in 1990 as a Graduate Rural Surveyor, and over that time has specialised in the negotiation of complex development, city centre and commercial development as well as fulfilling the role of marketing agent.
Richard Brogden
Partner, South-West
BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV RICS Registered Valuer
Richard, the Development Team leader at Bruton Knowles since 1996, plays a key role in helping clients maximise development opportunities across both brownfield and greenfield sites.
Richard works closely with landowners, promoters, and housebuilders, with a particular focus advising in respect of Option and Promotion Agreement; Collaboration and Implementation Agreements and undertaking Development Valuations and Agency. In addition he advises in respect of Restrictive Covenants, Overage and Uplift Deeds.
Additionally Richard is appointed by the President of the RICS via Dispute Resolution Service in respect of development based disputes.
Scott Winnard
Partner, South-West
MRICS, FAAV, RICS Registered Valuer
Scott joined Bruton Knowles in 1991 as a Surveyor, and is now Partner and Head of Land Development, based out of the Gloucester hub.
With 25 years of residential land development and strategic promotion expertise Scott is an acknowledged national expert. Specialisms include development land option and promotion structures and Red Book valuation/disposals.
Importantly, Scott assists landowners to bring land forward for promotion, from start to finish.
Robert Anthony
Partner, South-West & Midlands
BSc (Hons), MRICS, RICS Registered Valuer
Robert, a Partner at Bruton Knowles, joined the firm as a Graduate Surveyor in 2003 and has since developed extensive expertise in residential and mixed-use development consultancy. He advises public, private, and third-sector clients on maximizing their interests in development and regeneration opportunities.
Working closely with landowners and housebuilders across the South West and beyond from the Gloucester hub, Robert helps bring forward development projects from pre-planning through to new-build sales. His expertise also includes: expert valuation advice, land assembly and equalisation, loan security, overage/uplift entitlement, covenant and access issues, and viability assessments.
With significant experience in the acquisition and disposal of both immediate and strategic development land, Robert manages open marketing exercises, negotiates contingent contracts (option, promotion, and subject-to-planning agreements), and undertakes site-finding projects.
William Matthews
Agency Faculty Head
BSc (Hons) MRAC, MRICS, RICS Registered Valuer
Agency Faculty Head William Matthews plays a key role in overseeing acquisitions and disposals across the firm’s national hub network. His role includes regulatory compliance, best practice and technical training in respect of agency matters across the Commercial, Rural and Land Development teams.
William is based in the firm’s Land Development team and has worked for the firm since joining as a Graduate Surveyor in 2014. Based primarily from the Gloucester hub, William specialises in Residential Investment Portfolios, Development Appraisals, Acquisitions & Disposals, Option and Promotion Agreements and Planning Viability Matters.
William has also illustrated his expertise in this regard on the Bruton Knowles Landmark Podcast.
How can we help?
Please use the contact form below or call 0333 772 1235 for help.
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