Ed Colreavy

Ed acts for some of the UK's largest house-builders and developers across the UK. He specialises in complex land acquisitions and disposals, including strategic land assembly projects. He has particular experience of negotiating long-term development agreements with Government bodies and local authorities, which are procured through competitive tender dialogue.

He also leads the real estate group's mixed-use sector initiative, and has advised on large and complex schemes in that space. He is also seen as a leading voice in this growth area, and has written articles on the subject.

Career highlights

Over the years, Ed has gained huge experience acting on large-scale development projects for housebuilders and on large mixed use schemes. One such example is the advice he has given to Taylor Wimpey and Dorchester Living in respect of the creation of a new mixed-use town centre and the drawdown of various development tranches of land as part of the re-generation of the ex-MoD site in Bordon, which will create over 3,350 new homes.  This followed his work in negotiating and exchanging a development management agreement with the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of the entire scheme through a competitive public procurement exercise.

He has also led the Gowling team advising Avant Homes Group (which delivers approximately 2,000 homes a year with a turnover of c. £500 million) on the real estate aspects (together with Gateley) on the sale of its business to Berkeley DeVeer and Elliott Advisors. Both firms also worked collaboratively with Macfarlanes, who advised the client on the corporate aspects of the deal. Ed has also advised Telereal Trillium on its acquisition of the Lands Improvement business from BlackRock Europe Property Fund III for £120 million.

Alongside Dominic Morris, Ed advised Eden Retirement in relation to the creation and implementation of a new (industry leading) template structure for its new senior living developments, which has now received ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators) accreditation.

Highlights of the year

• Advising Miller Homes Group Limited (which delivers approximately 4,000 homes a year) on the real estate aspects of its sale to Apollo Funds from Bridgepoint Group Plc. Ed led the Gowling team, working alongside Gateley (on the real estate aspects of the deal) and DLA Piper (on the corporate aspects).
• Representing a consortium of landowners on the unlocking of land to create an urban extension of Kings Lynn. It is the largest and most strategically important housing site in west Norfolk, and will bring up to 4,000 new homes as well as employment opportunities, commercial space, community resources, health facilities, education, play facilities, public open spaces, and transport links.

Clients

Ed's clients include Avant Homes, Bellway Homes, Bloor Homes, Crest Nicholson, Miller Homes, Persimmon Homes, St Modwen Developments, Taylor Wimpey and Whitehall & Bordon (a joint venture of Dorchester Regeneration and Taylor Wimpey).