Supporting Affordable Homes Delivery with Growing Partnership

We’re proud to be supporting leading housing provider Amplius in delivering affordable homes as part of a fast-growing partnership tackling the country’s housing crisis head-on.

Appointed to Amplius’ legal panel in 2022 following a competitive tender process, our social housing team has been instrumental in securing a pipeline of new developments that form part of Amplius’ wider strategy to build high-quality, affordable housing at scale.

Since the start of the panel appointment, we are pleased to have helped progress two major schemes totalling 60 homes – spanning a range of tenure types including affordable rent and Shared Ownership. The team has also been instructed on plot sales for 10 schemes across the UK, covering more than 100 properties.

The collaboration is led by social housing partner Emma Joy Smith and legal director Anita Rasaratnam.

Emma said: “Amplius has quickly become one of our largest and most dynamic clients. Since winning a place on their panel, we’ve worked closely to help deliver high-quality, affordable homes that meet real local needs.

“Our collaboration goes beyond transactional work – we help shape delivery strategies and forge strong developer relationships, enabling Amplius to keep building at pace and scale.”

Anita added: “We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together so far. These developments represent the best of what can be achieved when a legal team works hand-in-hand with a client to deliver real impact.

“From complex land acquisitions to scheme-specific development agreements, Emma and I bring a joined-up approach that ensures momentum is maintained and client expectations are exceeded.”

Among the developments supported by the firm is Overstone Gate – a 47-home scheme nestled between Northampton and Wellingborough.

The scheme has been delivered in partnership with Persimmon Homes and offers a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes for Shared Ownership and affordable rent.

Contracts were exchanged in September 2024 and the final plots are expected to be completed by early next year.

The scheme is part of Amplius’ total delivery of 896 homes over the past year – which included 389 homes for low-cost ownership, 388 for affordable rent and 108 for social rent.

Marcus Keys, chief development and commercial officer at Amplius, said: “The support from the team at Shakespeare Martineau has helped us meet our delivery targets.

“Their understanding of the sector and ability to manage complex transactions efficiently has enabled us to continue growing.

“I look forward to seeing this partnership continue to grow to help us deliver even more much-needed affordable housing.”

Amplius was formed in December 2024 following the merger of Longhurst Group and Grand Union Housing Group.

The new organisation now owns and manages more than 39,500 homes and employs over 1,200 people across the Midlands, East and Southeast of England.

Our social housing team continues to advise on a growing number of Amplius schemes, supporting everything from site acquisitions and development structuring to shared ownership sales, staircasing, Right to Buy and asset disposals.