Ardent was first appointed by Docklands Light Railway Limited (“DLR”) in 1996. For 20 years Ardent exclusively dealt with all land and property matters concerned with the DLR’s network including all extensions and upgrades.

Originally costing £77M, the DLR was first opened in 1987, had 15 stations and 9.3miles of track, and since then over £1.5billion has been spent by DLR in upgrading and extending it to create 45 stations and 21miles of track.

To support the promotion and implementation of these works Ardent has provided land assembly, compulsory purchase and compensation advice through Hybrid Bill, Transport & Works Act Order and the Town & Country Planning Act processes. 

Ardent promoted and implemented the Country’s first successful Transport & Works Act Order and pioneered the use of General Vesting Declarations for transport schemes, a process which is now widely followed throughout the country.

Since our appointment, we supported DLRL fully in the promotion and procurement of the Lewisham extension, the London City Airport extension, the Woolwich Arsenal extension, two capacity enhancement projects enabling DLRL to operate 3-Car (90 metre) trains, the Stratford International extension from Canning Town to Stratford International and most recently the Dagenham Dock extension.

Ardent has advised DLR in relation to the land matters concerned with the appointment of Concessionaires and Contractors and has managed land acquisition and compensation for all of DLR’s projects involving land compensation budgets in excess of £75M. 

We have also negotiated a number of development agreements with 3rd parties concerned with new and/or replacement DLR stations and infrastructure including Heron Quay’s station with Canary Wharf Group, Langdon Park and most recently, Pudding Mill Lane station concerned with Crossrail.

Ardent’s service to DLR included:

• Land advice to inform options including; desktop property compensation advice & land referencing to identify affected parties;
• Consultation & landowner engagement;
• Land Referencing, including; Book of Reference, Land & Works plans and notices;
• Property Compensation Cost Estimate;
• Objection management & negotiation of agreements with major stakeholders;
• Expert witness at Public Inquiry relating to land & property;
• Land acquisition strategy;
• Procurement advice;
• Compulsory Land Acquisition;
• Compensation claim negations & Settlement including expert witness for Upper Tribunal (Lands Tribunal) referrals.
• Estate management of commercial aspects over the network including arch tenants, retail kiosks and four high value retail outlets under Canary Wharf Station.