Leading Scottish law firm Burness is acting for the City Legacy Consortium, which has been appointed as the preferred bidder for the development of the Athletes Village for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The firm provided legal support throughout the process, and will continue as a member of the consortium until completion in 2014.

The project, which is likely to be one of the most significant of our generation, involves a total investment of over £300m.

Stephen Phillips, partner at Burness said: "We have been instrumental in setting the structure for many high-profile public sector offshoots in recent years (including Culture & Sport Glasgow), as well as the NPD (Non-Profit Distributing) model, which is regarded by the Scottish Government as the template for future PPP infrastructure projects, in preference to PFI.

"Increasingly, private sector players are turning to the firm to help them engage more effectively with public sector bodies in the context of major procurements of this nature - recognising our experience on both sides of the table."

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The proposals for the games phase of this project have been prepared in conjunction with the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games. It will employ 620 people and will include the development of 700 riverside homes and related accommodation for the Games Village. Work is planned to begin next year and will be completed six months before the Games start in 2014.

The Consortium said: "This innovative project will not only showcase the new face of the East End of Glasgow to a world-wide audience during the Commonwealth Games, it will also transform Dalmarnock in to a much sought after riverside residential area.

"The regeneration of the East End is a long-term objective of Glasgow City Council, and City Legacy’s proposals will act as a catalyst to create an excellent neighbourhood with well placed community facilities and attractive open spaces."

Phillips continues: "A key aspect of the Games Village project is the legacy element - and in particular, ensuring that the athletes’ accommodation created through the development can be converted into attractive housing, fully integrated with the wider £1.6bn Clyde Gateway urban regeneration initiative.

"Burness was directly involved in developing the legal structure for Clyde Gateway URC - the regeneration body which is leading the Clyde Gateway initiative - and so the Games Village project fits well with our strength in the urban regeneration field."

Named The Lawyer's Regional/National Law Firm of the Year 2008, Burness is one of Scotland's premier commercial law firms, providing advice to clients in the commercial and public sectors.

(GK/JM)