Please contact our Webmaster with questions or comments.
© 2000 - 2008 Watts Group PLC. All rights reserved.

Services

 

 

Click here for a printer friendly PDF version of this page

Click here for the Neighbourly Matters Special Bulletin.

Click here to find case studies for this service

 

Neighbourly Matters: Access Agreements

Forgive us our trespasses

Contacts:

BARCELONA

BELFAST

BERLIN

BIRMINGHAM

BRISTOL

DUBLIN

DÜSSELDORF

EDINBURGH

FRANKFURT

GLASGOW

THE HAGUE

LEEDS

LONDON

MADRID

MANCHESTER

MUNICH

PARIS

SOFIA

STOCKHOLM

In tight urban sites the need to maximise use of land, and so obtain the maximum return, frequently involves building up to the boundary. The need to access neighbouring property, in order to facilitate building works, is often a problem for developers. The most common requirements are for scaffolding, hoardings and oversailing cranes.
Rights granted by the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992 and the Party Wall etc Act 1996 are limited. Taking a good neighbourly approach, in which Access Agreements are reached, is usually the key to unlocking the problem.

The Service

To developers, contractors and neighbours alike:

  • Advising on the legal position concerning trespass by oversailing cranes, by scaffolding and by hoardings.
  • Advising on rights of way, including rights of escape in case of fire.
  • Identifying ownership interests in adjoining properties.
  • Negotiating on behalf of developers or neighbours to facilitate agreement.
  • Agreeing the terms of formal Access Agreements (licences).
  • Liaising, where necessary, with clients’ lawyers.
  • Recommending, where relevant, the appointment of specialist consultants.
  • Considering nature and extent of the proposed encroachment to ensure that the risk of damage is minimised.
  • Preparing and agreeing schedules of condition.
  • Resolving any issues of damage.
  • Acting as expert witness in arbitration and litigation.

Why Watts?

By combining our knowledge of the legal position with our practical understanding of construction, we are able to advise early on the consents that will be required to facilitate development.

Due to skill and experience acquired in dealing with Party Wall Matters and Rights to Light, Watts is able to manage neighbourly negotiations sensitively and offer a proactive and pragmatic service to both developers and their neighbours.