Thomson Snell & Passmore nets with advice on football ground acquisition

01/10/2009

Thomson Snell & Passmore has advised Gravesham Borough Council in connection with its purchase of Ebbsfleet Football Ground from Land Securities Trading Limited.

The Council decided to purchase the Football Ground to ensure that the high profile site remained part of the community and to enable the Council to work with the Football Club to plan major refurbishment works of this important community asset. 

The ground was scheduled to be sold at auction but the Council managed to negotiate a private arrangement with Land Securities at short notice and, with Thomson Snell & Passmore's assistance, entered into an agreement which resulted in the ground being withdrawn from auction and acquisition of the ground by the Council.

The team at Thomson Snell & Passmore was led by Felicity Warran-Smith (Partner, Commercial Property) with Mark Steggles (Associate, Property Litigation) assisting.

Partner Felicity Warran-Smith said:

“We are delighted to have advised Gravesham Borough Council on the purchase of Ebbsfleet Football Ground to ensure the important site remains part of the community. It was a pleasure to work with Gravesham Borough Council once again and help in its continued service to the local community. I wish them the best with the refurbishment of the ground.”

Leader of the Council Counsellor Mike Snelling said:

"The imminent auction date meant that the Council had to act swiftly and decisively to secure the Football Ground. Working with a regional heavyweight firm such as Thomson Snell & Passmore ensured that the deal went through effectively. We are delighted with the level of service we received and the depth of commercially minded legal advice.  Thomson Snell & Passmore's support, knowledge and experience on such a time sensitive deal was invaluable"

This is one of a number of deals that Thomson Snell & Passmore has worked on for local authority clients. Previous experience  includes  advising an east Kent local authority in connection with a joint venture development  with the regional development agency for a speculative commercial project; advising a north Kent local authority in connection with the administration of the tenant of a high profile leisure venue; and providing advice in connection with the grant of a long lease to a wind farm operator for the construction of an on-shore operating and maintenance facility.