Alex Neal

I specialise in complex, large scale development and regeneration projects in Central London and in advising developers, landowners and institutional investors on town planning matters.

I have a thorough understanding of planning matters affecting the London property market and well-established connections with officers of the London local planning authorities as well as with the GLA.

I undertake appraisals and advise on regeneration schemes including retail, commercial, hotel, change of use and housing proposals involving heritage, land use, design and viability issues. My clients include M&G Real Estate, Land Securities, British Land, PMB Holdings, W.RE London, Access Self Storage, Groveworld, Brockton Real Estate, AXA REIM, Royal London Asset Management, Crosstree Real Estate, Morgan Capital, Aberdeen Standard Investments.

MY RECENT PROJECTS

• 21-31 New Oxford Street – Brockton Capital. I secured planning permission for 35,000 sqm of office floorspace, 21 affordable housing units, ground floor retail units, a GP surgery, a 600 sqm public roof terrace and improvements to the public realm on High Holborn and Museum Street.  The key planning issues included negotiations on the height and bulk of the development, design, key local views and the impact on the nearby conversation area and listed buildings, and the quantum of housing provision (a payment in lieu and provision of affordable housing on site was agreed).
• Castlewood House – Royal London Asset Management. I secured planning permission for 20,000 sqm of office floorspace, ground floor retail units, a new pedestrian route and a new area of open space as well as substantial public realm improvement works. I also achieved planning permission for a new 8 storey building at Medius House to provide 18 new affordable housing units and flexible retail space at ground floor. The key planning issues included negotiations on land use including affordable workspace, the height and bulk of the development, demolition of a positive contributor in the Conservation Area, design, key local views, impact on neighbouring residential amenity and the quantum of housing provision (a payment in lieu and provision of affordable housing on site was agreed).
• Lincoln House, 296-302 High Holborn – Aberdeen Standard Investments. I achieved planning permission for the partial demolition and rear and roof top extensions to provide 2,200sqm of additional office space. The key issues involved negotiation regarding substantial demolition in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area and extension in close proximity to the grade I listed Stone Buildings. The permission also includes a rooftop extension within the periphery of the background assessment area of Strategic View 5A.2 (Greenwich to St Pauls Cathedral).