Glossary definition
Wayleave
A contractual agreement granting a utility company or third party the right to install, maintain, and access equipment such as cables, pipes, or pylons on or across a parcel of land. Unlike an easement, a wayleave is a personal licence that can typically be terminated with notice, although statutory wayleaves under the Electricity Act 1989 provide stronger protections for utility companies.
Definition
A contractual agreement granting a utility company or third party the right to install, maintain, and access equipment such as cables, pipes, or pylons on or across a parcel of land. Unlike an easement, a wayleave is a personal licence that can typically be terminated with notice, although statutory wayleaves under the Electricity Act 1989 provide stronger protections for utility companies. Developers must identify existing wayleaves during due diligence as they can restrict where buildings and infrastructure can be positioned on site.
See also
Closely related terms.
Title Deed
A legal document that proves ownership of a property or parcel of land, now predominantly held in electronic form at HM Land Registry.
Site Investigation
A series of ground investigations and environmental assessments carried out to identify potential risks associated with a development site, including contamination, ground conditions, flood risk, and ecological constraints.
Planning Permission
Formal consent from the local planning authority required before carrying out most types of development, including new construction, material changes of use, and significant alterations to existing buildings.
Further reading
Guides that touch this term.
Guide
Legal Due Diligence in Development Finance: What Solicitors Check
Legal due diligence is the backbone of every development finance transaction. This guide explains what solicitors investigate, common issues that delay completions, and how to prepare your legal pack.
9 min read readReadGuide
How Does Development Finance Work? A Complete Guide for UK Developers
A ground-up guide to how development finance is structured in the UK, covering loan mechanics, drawdown schedules, monitoring surveyors, and what lenders look for in your application.
5 min read readRead
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