On Friday 13 February 2026 Mr Justice Leech handed down judgment in Tangent Properties (North) Limited v Evans Homes (Skelton) No 2 Limited [2026] EWHC 298 (Ch) following a trial at the end of last year.

Evans Homes has over many years successfully backfilled, reclaimed and redeveloped the Skelton Site next to the M1 south of Leeds – a 267 acre site which was formerly an open cast coal mine – for principally residential use.

Tangent had claimed 10% of Evans’ net profits from the development of the Skelton Site. Tangent’s claims were based on a contract, alternatively estoppel, alternatively unjust enrichment. The Judge dismissed all of these claims at trial, whilst allowing Tangent to argue on a future date whether on the facts a “failure of basis” unjust enrichment claim for a reasonable fee for time spent would be limitation barred.

Gregory Banner KC and Emily Gailey acted for Evans Homes, instructed by Nick Lees and Kieran Craddock of Walker Morris.

Read the full judgment: Tangent Properties (North) Limited v Evans Homes (Skelton) No 2 Limited [2026] EWHC 298 (Ch)