Scope
Reference
ENPA0020-25
Description
Reviving Exmoor's Heartlands is part of Defra's Landscape Recovery scheme, aiming to support long-term, large-scale restoration of England's most precious habitats. The Reviving Exmoor's Heartlands (REH) project is a round 2 Landscape Recovery project that has been approved for a two year development phase, which started in April 2024.
The project aims to restore Exmoor's central moorlands to a thriving ecological state with good habitat connectivity to the wider landscape, supported by viable farming. The project area spans approximately 12,000 hectares made up of a cluster of over 20 upland farms and moorland landholdings including large areas of common land, supporting mainly extensive beef and sheep enterprises.
The provision of this contract is for:
Advise on Legal Structure and Governance
- Evaluate and compare options for suitable legal entity structures aligned with the project goals (e.g. CIC, CIO, LLP, BenCom).
- Present clear and actionable advice to the project steering group and participants via an evening workshop to make a final decision on the legal form and governance arrangements.
- Draft a fit-for-purpose governance structure and plan for the selected SLE model compliant with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money principles.
Draft and Review Legal Agreements
- Draft and advise on:
- Agreements between the SLE and land managers/commoners associations.
- Implementation agreement with Natural England.
- Contracts with private investors and partners.
- Identify and evaluate legal tools to safeguard environmental outcomes (e.g. conservation covenants, land trusts).
- Ensure agreements:
- Provide long-term environmental and legal security.
- Address enforcement, flexibility, and succession planning for land ownership.
Conduct Land & Title Due Diligence
- Review land ownership titles for risks, rights, or restrictions.
- Complete due diligence letters to be submitted to Natural England before contract signing.
- Identify and propose resolutions for any legal impediments to delivery.
Statutory Consents and Risk Management
- Identify required statutory consents, permits, or licenses.
- Highlight legal risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £45,000 excluding VAT
- £54,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Date signed
6 October 2025
Contract dates
- 7 October 2025 to 31 March 2026
- Possible extension to 30 September 2026
- 11 months, 25 days
Description of possible extension:
2 x 3 months at the discretion of the Authority.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services
Contract locations
- UKK23 - Somerset
- UKK4 - Devon
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Supplier
DAVITT JONES BOULD LIMITED
- Companies House: 06155025
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNG-9251-JNGN
Level 24, The Shard
London
SE1 9SG
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@djblaw.co.uk
Website: https://www.djblaw.co.uk/
Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Exmoor National Park Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNTL-8332-CCCH
Exmoor House
Dulverton
TA22 9HL
United Kingdom
Region: UKK23 - Somerset
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government