Partner Article

Lodders’ property specialist helps landscape business bloom

The Gloucestershire landscape business TFN Landscapes Limited is set to relocate its business to Noake Farm in Hucclecote, Gloucester, after securing planning permission to expand its operations with advice from Alastair Frew, a partner in the real estate team at law firm Lodders.

The business needed to relocate operations from its Longford location after the local council granted planning permission for a large scale residential development on its current site.

The enforced relocation to its new site just five miles away has in fact enabled expansion of SmartCut’s Gloucestershire operation TFN Landscapes, with planning permission secured for two large workshops/offices and use of adjacent agricultural land as a nursery for the production of home grown trees and shrubs.

However, planning permission for the proposed relocation and development has taken over 12 months to secure, as Lodders’ Alastair Frew explains:

“We were first approached by SmartCut’s Director Tom Rimell with the plans to expand operations on the new site in January 2015, and the contract was in fact signed on the 25th June last year. However, as the new site at Noake Farm fell within Green Belt, planning officers first ruled that the proposals constituted inappropriate development that offered no ‘very special circumstances’ to allow the development by exception, and as such the planning application was refused.

“We worked closely with rural estate agents and chartered surveyors Fisher German, who were acting for SmartCut on the site, and by negotiating a small reduction in the size of the buildings, and emphasising the importance of retaining the business in the area, including the employment of some 100 staff, the officer’s recommendation was overturned and consent for the scheme was finally granted and is set to complete this month.

“This is a very satisfying conclusion to the 12 months of planning negotiations and we are delighted our clients will soon be able to commence the development and relocation,” added Alastair. “The team at Fisher German has also worked with tenacity to secure the positive conclusion to the deal, valued in the region of £500.000.”

SmartCut Director, Tom Rimell has had a long association with Lodders’ real estate and property teams. He adds: “When planning permission was granted for the significant residential development on our previous site, the future for our landscaping business certainly looked challenging, as the £3.5million turnover, thriving business and its staff were essentially being turfed out of their home. However, then came the opportunity to purchase the new site and with Alastair and Lodders’ guidance and advice, we were able to overcome the challenges, complete the purchase and secure the site, the business’ future and the jobs of all our staff.

“Lodders’ team has always been efficient and easy to deal with, demonstrating that they clearly understand our long term plans for the business, and their role on this important transaction proved no different.”

Originally established in 1994 to provide grounds maintenance to the Vale Golf and Country Club, SmartCut Ltd today boasts an impressive portfolio of customers, and has grown significantly following its acquisition of Gloucester landscape business, TFN Landscapes. It has a training facility Training Smart, which offers courses in Rolo, Heath & Safety, Environmental Awareness and Driver CPC. For more information: www.smartcut.co.uk.

Founded nearly 230 years ago, Lodders has offices in Cheltenham, Stratford upon Avon, and Henley in Arden. Throughout its history, Lodders has worked with farmers, family businesses, landowners, rural communities, real estate and property owners. The firm’s 18-strong real estate team, headed by partner, Nick East, the Lodders team acts for investors, developers and owner occupiers and on behalf of national and regional commercial property developers, residential property developers, investment companies and funders.

Lodders Solicitors LLP is an established and thriving law firm based in Stratford upon Avon, Henley in Arden and Cheltenham. The firm is recognised as a leading private client law firm, offering specialist advice to both private individuals and privately owned businesses, including its highly regarded work in the agricultural and real estate sectors. For more information, visit: www.lodders.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lodders Solicitors LLP .