Property consultant Bruton Knowles has responded to the sharp rise in activity across the agricultural sector by strengthening the rural affairs team at its Gloucester office.
Shaun O’Keeffe (pictured) – who served ten years in the armed forces prior to embarking on a successful career as a surveyor – is joining the rural team covering the South West and Wales, to ease their rapidly expanding workload.
Head of Rural Estate Management, Philip Cowan, said: “Farmers and landowners are finding themselves increasingly involved with local authorities and the utility companies as our towns and cities continue to expand.
“They are coming to us on a variety of issues, including wayleave and easement along with compulsory purchase legislation.
“As well as undertaking a number of professional rural roles, Shaun specialises in rural compensation matters and has considerable experience in obtaining positive outcomes for our clients across the South West. This appointment underlines the further strengthening of our core rural offering.”
Shaun said his appointment will ensure that farmers and landowners receive professional representation at all stages, whether in dealing with a large CPO project or a routine utility maintenance scheme.
One of Shaun’s first priorities will be to represent landowners affected by the construction of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road, near Abergavenny.
“Landowners are having to give up a significant proportion of land to enable the new road works to progress, and my role is to ensure that all matters are managed and my clients are looked after and don’t lose out,” he explained.
Shaun added that the agricultural sector is facing ever changing challenges and that rural affairs are becoming increasingly complex. “That’s why high quality is more vital than ever,” he concluded.
Story: Neil Bird
Photo: Bruton Knowles
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