England - London • Real estate
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Andrew Casstles leads the London-based social housing team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, advising housing associations on significant acquisitions and developments. The team provides structures for housing delivery to local authorities, and investment models to an increasing number of private-sector investors that are moving into the social housing space. Peter Massey leads the practice’s busy fire-safety group, advising housing associations. The arrival of Sanjeev Shah in September 2022 from Perrin Myddelton bolstered the team’s offering in joint ventures and commercial matters within the sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Everybody is very friendly and approachable, including the partners. They build a genuine rapport with their clients and add personal touches to conversations and meetings.
- 'In terms of collaboration, they are adept at leading meetings where there will be a mix of people from the housing association and very different levels of understanding. They are knowledgeable without being patronising.’
‘I would definitely mention Ben Robinson as a stand-out partner. I have been working with him on various cases for over 3 years now. He makes the effort to get to know the whole team and takes time to explain things that he could delegate. He makes you feel valued, as you are never passed around.’
‘Andrew Casstles has acted for us on numerous transactions over the last 6 years. He is proactive and knowledgeable in property matters and will work with his clients to achieve a sensible and pragmatic solution.’
‘Andrew Casstles has a wealth of experience and knowledge. He is approachable and easy to work with and has the interests of the client at the forefront of his mind. I hope to continue working with Andrew on transactions in the future.'
Key clients
- Paragon Asra Housing
- Newlon Housing Trust
- Newlon Build Limited
- Peabody Trust
- CBRE UK Affordable Housing Fund
- Hightown Housing Association
- Optivo
- bpha Limited
- Saxon Weald
- Accent Housing
- Abri Group Limited
- Settle Group
- White Horse Housing Association
- Poplar HARCA
- Treveth Holdings LLP
- Treveth Development LLP
- Mount Green Housing Association
- Phoenix Community Housing Association
- Inquilab Housing Association
- Plymouth Community Homes Ltd
- North London Muslim Housing Association Ltd
- One Housing Group Ltd
- Hexagon Housing Association Ltd
- NW3 Community Land Trust Limited
- Sapphire Independent Housing Limited
- LiveWest Homes Limited
- Southern Housing Group Ltd
- West Kent Housing Association
- Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association Ltd
- Epping Forest District Council
- Advance Housing & Support Limited
- London & Quadrant Housing Trust
- Raven Housing Trust Limited
- South Yorkshire Housing Association Ltd
- Catalyst Housing
- Cross Keys Homes Ltd
- Bromsgrove District Housing Trust Limited
- Richmond Housing Partnership Ltd
- Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing
- Westway Housing Association Ltd
- Bromford Housing Association Ltd
- Sovereign Housing Association Ltd
- Ekaya Housing Association Ltd
- Warrington Housing Association Limited
- Orbit Group Ltd
- Mace Housing Cooperative Limited
- Christian Action (Enfield) Housing Association Ltd
- Midland Heart Limited
- Wandle Housing Association Ltd
- Mackenzie Homes Limited
- Housing Solutions Group
- Octavia Housing
- Walton on Thames Charity
- Clarion
- Notting Hill Genesis
- Origin Housing
- Wooldridge Developments Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for for Paragon Asra Housing Limited in the forward funding and acquisition of four significant housing blocks in the context of a significant wider regeneration of a brown field site in South London by a Jersey based trustee ultimately funded by L&G.
- Advised Treveth Holdings LLP and Treveth Developments LLP on the set up and delivery of Cornwall Council’s investment and delivery programme, including advising on over 12 active developments.
- Acting for Abri and its subsidiary The Swaythling Housing Society Limited in options to purchase a large 100+ dwellings site, including development agreement, joint venture, and ultimately the outright purchase of the site.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrew Casstles