Barcan+Kirby helps build a greener future for Bristol

Our Corporate + Commercial and Commercial Property teams recently acted for Water Lilies Limited as they secured a significant funding facility from Homes England (a non-departmental public body and the Government’s housing accelerator).

The facility will fund a pioneering eco self-build community project in Bristol. The development will be situated by 650 acres of Blaise Castle parkland and the Kings Weston Estate.

The development, designed by Bright Green Futures, won the Green Initiative Award at the Bristol Property Awards 2019. It comprises 33 homes plus a community hub. It also boasts underground parking for a safe traffic-free development and renewable technology and sustainability features.

Our team’s work involved advising on the facility agreement and security package, as well as the suite of construction contracts. We continue to work for Water Lilies Limited as the project moves into the delivery phase and plots go to market, leaning on the expertise of our Commercial Property and New Build teams.

“We worked with Rob and the team on some rather complicated legal contracts for a new business model. Running an ambitious start-up is a challenge in itself and it makes all the difference when you have good lawyers to support you who stick with you through thick and thin and are with you all the way.

It felt like at one point we all merged as one team (our team and a team of lawyers from Barcan+Kirby) to make it work. When you know your lawyer wakes up in the middle of the night thinking about your project and you have a solution sitting in the inbox the next morning, then you know they are really there for you! That has been my experience working with Rob. A solid reliable force pushing forward, doing what it takes, going beyond the remits of his role. 

Having access to the wider expertise within Barcan+Kirby was absolutely valuable too, as in the end we needed support from experts in a large variety of legal specialisms. As such, it was perfect for us to work with a local company that is still small enough to have that personal autonomy and all the benefits of an independently owned company, whilst being large enough to present all the different legal specialisms.”

– Dr Steffie Broer, Bright Green Futures

Further information

To find out more about our commercial law and commercial property expertise, or to contact our specialist solicitors, call us on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.