Readers' forum: Sale of assets

My clients a husband and wife have owned the freehold of a small industrial estate for a number of years in their joint names. The estate consists of several units let to small businesses.

Because of their age and failing health the couple want to dispose of the investment as a going concern with or without outline planning permission for private dwellings. Without planning permission the property is valued at about £1.5m and with planning permission it would be worth about £2.5m.

Incidentally in case it is relevant the clients have two grown-up children.

Obviously the capital gains liability is going to be substantial and will be aggravated by the fact that a claim for capital gains tax entrepreneur’s allowance will not be possible because the estate will be classed as an investment rather than a business.

I would be obliged if readers could recommend ways of...