International law firm Taylor Wessing has won the Property Team of the Year award at the British Legal Awards.

Hosted by Legal Week, the British Legal Awards set out to recognise the important contribution that the legal business community makes not just to the UK economy, but also to the wider community.

The judging panel was made up of senior members of the legal community, including several former law firm managing partners and general counsel.

Taylor Wessing's submission was made around the work the firm has done for Brentford Football Club, securing planning permission for the club's new 20,000 seater stadium – the first new stadium to be built in London in ten years.

The team's use of the Social Value Act – which had never before been used in a planning context – was used to demonstrate the contribution that the stadium would make to the local community.

As the leading industry magazine, Property Week, wrote, the work done by Taylor Wessing and Brentford FC will see the predicted impact of developments taken more seriously in planning applications.

As well as the stadium, the disused brownfield site will house community facilities, 910 new homes, a hotel and supporting retail uses, as well as public transport improvements and public realm enhancements.

Al Watson, partner in the Real Estate practice at Taylor Wessing, who led the team, said: "This award is recognition both of the excellent team we have at Taylor Wessing and also of the way we have driven forward to achieve our client's ambitions, and been innovative in working with them to reach their goals.

"It continues to be a great pleasure to work with Brentford FC, and we can't wait to see the Club, players and fans get the stadium they deserve."

The core team working with Brentford FC from Taylor Wessing, who also sponsor the dug outs at Griffin Park, was Al Watson, Adam Marks, Joanne Kelly and Scott Harrison.

Chris Gammon, a Lionel Road Developments Director, said: "We are delighted to celebrate this award with our lawyers Taylor Wessing.

"We have been working with the firm since the early days of the Lionel Road Community Stadium plans and their assistance and experience in working on a number of stadia deals for professional football and rugby clubs has been invaluable."