Daniel Ball is a member and solicitor in the Commercial department. Since qualifying in 2007, Daniel has developed his specialism in agricultural law with a specific interest in renewable energy projects. He has a wealth of experience in advising landowners/farmers as opposed to developers and is a member of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Since 2023, Daniel has also been a member of the Agricultural Law Association and deals with agricultural tenancies and farming partnership matters. A landowner’s objectives are fundamentally different from the developer and with the government’s target for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, landowners are being approached by developers to sell or place land under an option for future renewable energy projects. Daniel assists landowners in the disposal of property to realize its commercial potential, either by way of sale or more commonly by way of long lease to the developer. Both means of disposal have their own complications and idiosyncrasies making them unique transactions compared to normal disposals of land or commercial property.

Daniel is extremely knowledgeable, efficient and provides clear and concise advice to his clients.

The main areas of work which Daniel can assist:

1. Review of heads of terms for your renewable energy project;

2. Assist you in the review: understanding and explanation of enquiries relating to your renewable energy project;

3. Drafting advising amending and negotiating sale agreements; options and leases
for your renewable energy project;

4. The drafting, advising, amending, and negotiating of a section 106 agreement which maybe a requisite to obtaining planning permission for your project;

5. Direct agreements with the developer’s funder;

6. Decommissioning securities;

7. Sublease and deeds of variations for infrastructure required by the DNO;

8. Assisting on transfers and head leases as part of your tax planning in the event of the renewable project being commissioned.

The projects which Daniel has worked on to date:

1. Solar developments with the largest in excess of 200 acres;

2. Battery sites to be used in conjunction with solar developments for load shifting and standalone battery sites;

3. On shore wind;

4. Power purchase agreements and wayleave agreements.

Daniel is a keen golfer and is often raising money for charity by taking part in golf days.

‘They recently assisted us on a multi-million pound project, working very well with global lawyers in the process.’

Legal 500, 2024