Alternative Land Uses - Renewable energy

Mark Charter

A highly experienced agricultural partner with expertise in development of land, Mark is partner at Thrings, advising farmers, estate owners and the wide landowner community on a wide range of land matters.

Along with the buying and selling of farms, estates and businesses, he advises clients on contracts and tax planning matters for farming businesses and families.

He has also advised government departments on agricultural decisions.

Mark is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association.

Much of Mark's work focuses on agricultural law, such as FBTs, AHA tenancies, contract farming and agri-environmental schemes.

He is particularly experienced in dealing with the sale and purchase of farms, estates and agri-businesses, and in cases involving high-value secured lending for farms and estates.

Mark has a special interest in the equine space. He has advised client on setting up polo yards and on the sale and purchase of studs, racing yards and estates.

Supporting the Development of Land team with his agriculture expertise, Mark advises landowners on option, promotion and hybrid agreements for development.

He has unique expertise in creating deals that allow farming businesses to continue until land development and planning arrangements efficiently for tax purposes.

Mark's advice extends beyond the immediate development deal and he helps position farming businesses and their families for the future. He also advises on diversification projects, including renewables for landowners.

George Hall

George leads on ‘Front of the Meter’ renewable development for Conrad Energy and is part of an expert team managing a diverse and growing energy portfolio.

Along with the buying and selling of farms, estates and businesses, he advises clients on contracts and tax planning matters for farming businesses and families.

He develops both solar PV and battery storage sites, such as their 43MW solar farm in Herefordshire and a 50MW battery storage site in Somerset.

George grew up on a farm so understands the fine balance between the need for carbon reduction and the importance of our traditional countryside.

With over 17 years in renewables, he has a wealth of experience in both utility scale and on-site generation projects and over the past 18 months has built a strong pipeline of over 550MW of solar PV and 850MW of battery schemes. Some of his previous clients include Bentley Motors, JP Morgan and the MOD.

Tim Foster

Tim is head of energy services for Conrad Energy, the UK’s market-leading flexible power company focused on enabling the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.

Part of an expert team that manages a diverse and growing energy portfolio, he is responsible for developing their power purchase agreement (PPA) and energy supply business.

Previously head of origination for Sembcorp UK's energy activities, Tim also worked as head of UK services for the pioneering Irish energy trading company ElectroRoute.

Prior to this he spent seven years at Statkraft as head of renewable origination with responsibility for establishing Statkraft’s PPA business within the UK, five years at SmartestEnergy and over four years at British Energy.

Kate Hardy

Kate Hardy joined Albert Goodman in late 2018, working as a manager in the Farms and Estates team, based in its Weymouth office.

Kate has worked in practice for over 20 years, working closely with both rural-based and small business clients in the Dorset and Somerset area.

With a small business background, Kate specialises in rural diversified businesses such as furnished holiday lets and commercial lettings.

With a keen interest in tax, Kate qualified with the Association of Tax Technicians in December 2015 having been awarded the Somerset and Dorset prize for November 2013 sitting.

Kate is now currently awaiting membership as a chartered tax advisor, having recently passed all of the exams required for membership, specifically Inheritance Tax and Trusts.

David Long

David is a chartered town planning consultant and partner at BCM.

He spearheads planning and development projects across the country and has first-hand experience of securing (minor and major) planning consents for a wide range of renewable energy projects in rural areas, most of which are now operational.

Nick Keeler

Nick was one of the founding directors of Solar South West in 2009 and commissioned their first 1MW+ roof-top solar installation in the UK at JB Wheaton and Sons in 2011, quickly followed by a 1MWp+ ground-mounted solar farm (one of the first in the UK) at Coombe Farm, Somerset.

Solar South West specialise in commercial scale solar PV installations bringing the benefit of on-site generation from increasing electricity costs.