Offer for Poole Investments

Inland PLC 09 August 2007 immediate release 9 August 2007 OFFER FOR POOLE INVESTMENTS PLC NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION Inland PLC Recommended £11.1 million Cash Offer by Inland plc for Poole Investments plc Offer Summary • The Inland Board and the Poole Investments Board are pleased to announce a recommended cash offer to be made by Inland, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments not already owned by Inland at a price of 6 pence per PI Share. • The Offer will be made on the basis of 6 pence for each PI Share and values the entire issued share capital of Poole Investments at approximately £11.1 million, and represents a premium of approximately 37 per cent. to the Closing Price of 4.38 pence per PI Share on 2 July 2007, being the last Business Day prior to the announcement of an approach to Poole Investments and a premium of approximately 76 per cent. to the average Closing Price of 3.42 pence per PI Share for the 12 months to 2 July 2007, being the 12 months up to the last Business Day prior to the announcement of Inland's approach to Poole Investments. • Inland has acquired 15,821,500 PI Shares, amounting to approximately 8.6 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments. • Inland has received irrevocable undertakings to accept or to procure the acceptance of the Offer from each of the Poole Investments Directors (other than David Cicurel, whose connected trust has given the relevant undertaking) who have beneficial holdings in PI Shares, in respect of their entire holdings. These holdings amount to, in aggregate, 7,652,854 PI Shares representing approximately 4.1 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments. • Irrevocable undertakings have also been received from Judges Capital plc in respect of 5,700,000 PI Shares (3.1 per cent. of the PI Shares in issue) and Starlight Investments Ltd. in respect of 14,250,000 PI Shares (7.7 per cent. of the PI Shares in issue). The Panel has ruled that Starlight Investments Ltd. is acting in concert with Dawnay Day (adviser to Inland) and is therefore deemed to be also acting in concert with Inland. • Accordingly, Inland's interests, together with the PI Shares which are the subject of the irrevocable undertakings, total, in aggregate, 43,424,354 PI Shares, representing approximately 23.5 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Poole Investments. • Inland intends to procure that Poole Investments applies to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission of PI Shares to trading on AIM, as soon as it is lawfully able, following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects and to re-register Poole Investments as a private company. The cancellation of the admission of PI Shares to trading on AIM will significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of the PI Shares not acquired by Inland. Information on Inland • The Inland Group specialises in buying 'brown field' sites, enhancing their value through obtaining planning permissions for residential or mixed-use development and selling the consented land on to developers • Prior to Inland's admission to AIM on 3 April 2007, Inland Homes acquired, obtained planning permission for, and sold, 25 building plots on two sites, producing an average annual return on equity of 122 per cent. and an average annual return on capital employed of 96 per cent. • The Inland Group's principal strategic objective is to build up a land bank which would be attractive to a major trade buyer. This will take a few years, during which time it will continue to sell certain sites where it can obtain favourable offers. The objective is to resolve all planning and technical issues so that sites may be sold on to builders on a 'ready to build' basis • The Inland Group intends to make purchases of strategic land (that is land which may in future be suitable for development) when appropriate opportunities arise. The Inland Group will also continue its strategy of investing in quoted and unquoted companies, particularly those where the share price does not reflect the potential value of the underlying property assets • Inland raised £50 million (before expenses) by way of a placing when its shares were admitted to trading on AIM in April 2007. Since that time it has announced the sale of three sites in Buckinghamshire and Middlesex and the purchase of The West Wing at Ashford and St. Peter's Hospital. It has also acquired seven other sited representing approximately 152 residential plots and 25,000 sq ft office accommodation. Information relating to Poole Investments • Poole Investments' primary asset is a 9.5 acre plot of land in Lower Hamworthy, Dorset, upon which resides an investment property which provides a rental income to the Company. This land forms part of the area within the Poole 'Full Sail Ahead' regeneration scheme. The Borough of Poole, with the aid of consultants, has been deciding how best to plan and progress the regeneration of this area. Borough representatives have agreed with Poole Investments that during the remainder of 2007, a series of meetings will take place to establish common ground that might enable the Company to support the regeneration by way of a formal planning application. Planning consent for this site has not yet been secured and the timing on securing such planning permission and the nature of any development is uncertain. • Turnover for the year ended 31 May 2007 was £335,000 (2006: £335,000, 2005: £337,000). All turnover, including prior year, comprises rental income derived in the UK from the Company's one tenant of the investment property described above. Operating profit for the year ended 31 May 2007 was £264,000 (2006: £260,000, 2005: £262,000). The net assets of Poole Investments at 31 May 2007 were £3,408,000 (2006: £3,432,000, 2005: £1,704,000). Recommendation • The Poole Investments Directors, who have been so advised by Zeus Capital, unanimously consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable so far as PI Shareholders are concerned. In providing advice to the Poole Investments Directors, Zeus Capital has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Poole Investments Directors. • Accordingly, the Poole Investments Directors unanimously recommend that PI Shareholders accept the Offer, as the Poole Investments Directors who have beneficial holdings in PI Shares have (other than David Cicurel whose connected trust has) irrevocably undertaken to do (or to take steps within their power to cause acceptance of the Offer) in respect of their own beneficial holdings of PI Shares amounting to, in aggregate, 7,652,854 PI Shares, which represent approximately 4.1 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments. Enquiries: Inland plc Tel: (01923) 713 600 Stephen Wicks, Chief Executive Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance Limited Tel: (020) 7509 4570 David Floyd Alex Stanbury Poole Investments plc Tel: (07973) 820 492 David Booth Zeus Capital Limited Tel: (0161) 831 1512 Kevin Wilson Nick Cowles Buchanan Communications Tel: (020) 7466 5000 Jeremy Garcia / Susanna Gale This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of this announcement set out below. Appendix I sets out the conditions and further principal terms of the Offer. Appendix II of this announcement contains the sources and bases of certain information used in this summary and in the following announcement. Appendix III contains definitions of certain terms used in this summary and the following announcement. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 9 August 2007 INLAND PLC Recommended Cash Offer by Inland plc for Poole Investments plc 1. Introduction The Inland Directors and the Poole Investments Directors are pleased to announce a recommended cash offer, to be made by Inland, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments not already owned by Inland at a price of 6 pence per PI Share. 2. The Recommended Cash Offer The Offer, which is made on the terms and subject to the conditions set out below or referred to in Appendix I to this announcement and subject to the full terms to be set out in the Offer Document and, in the case of certificated PI Shares, in the form of acceptance, is being made on the following basis: for each PI Share 6 pence in cash The Offer is final and will not be increased. The Offer values the entire issued share capital of Poole Investments at approximately £11.1 million and represents a premium of approximately 37 per cent. to the Closing Price of 4.38 pence per PI Share on 2 July 2007, being the last Business Day prior to the commencement of the Offer Period. The Offer also represents a premium of approximately 9 per cent. to the Closing Price of 5.5 pence per PI Share on 8 August 2007 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement). The Offer extends to all PI Shares unconditionally allotted or issued and fully paid (or credited as fully paid) on the date of the Offer and any PI Shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued and fully paid whilst the Offer remains open for acceptance or by such earlier date as Inland may, subject to the City Code, decide, not being earlier than the date on which the Offer becomes unconditional as to acceptances, other than the PI Shares already owned by Inland. The PI Shares to which the Offer relates will be acquired by Inland fully paid, or credited as fully paid, and free from all liens, equitable interests, mortgages, charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and other third party rights or interests of any nature whatsoever and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching to them, including all voting rights and the right to receive and retain all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the date of this document. The availability of the Offer to persons not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. 3. Information relating to Inland The Inland Group specialises in buying 'brown field' sites, enhancing their value through obtaining planning permissions for residential or mixed-use development and selling the consented land on to developers. Prior to Inland's admission to AIM on 3 April 2007, Inland Homes acquired, obtained planning permission for, and sold, 25 building plots on two sites, producing an average annual return on equity of 122 per cent. and an average annual return on capital employed of 96 per cent. The Inland Group's principal strategic objective is to build up a land bank which would be attractive to a major trade buyer. This will take a few years, during which time it will continue to sell certain sites where it can obtain favourable offers. The Inland Group will continue to invest in sites varying in size and value, concentrating its activities on areas of high demand (for example, where there are good transport links or attractive residential environments) and seeking planning consents that are appropriate for the location and desirable to house builders. The objective is to resolve all planning and technical issues so that sites may be sold on to builders on a 'ready to build' basis. The Inland Group intends to make purchases of strategic land (that is land which may in future be suitable for development) when appropriate opportunities arise. The Inland Group will also continue its strategy of investing in quoted and unquoted companies, particularly those where the share price does not reflect the potential value of the underlying property assets. It also invests in companies where the Inland Directors believe they can add value or benefit from a strategic relationship. The Company currently has interests in quoted securities and a 10 per cent. interest in a private house building company, Howarth Homes. Inland raised £50 million (before expenses) by way of a placing when its shares were admitted to trading on AIM in April 2007. Since that time it has announced the sale of three sites in Buckinghamshire and Middlesex and the purchase of The West Wing at Ashford and St. Peter's Hospital for which Inland intends to submit a detailed planning application for 170 apartments. It has also acquired seven other sited representing approximately 152 residential plots and 25,000 sq ft office accommodation. A planning application for 399 residential units and 95,000 sq ft of commercial space has been submitted for Inland's site in Farnborough. 4. Background to and reasons for the Offer As stated above, Inland has specialist expertise in handling the many planning, environmental and technical issues which need to be resolved before building work can commence on a development site. The Inland Directors believe this expertise can be applied to unlock the potential value of the Property over a period of time. As an alternative to the Offer, Inland could have acquired the Property. The Poole Investments Board indicated their preference for the Offer (as opposed to the acquisition by Inland of the Property from Poole) because this would give PI Shareholders prompt cash consideration. Following detailed enquiries and negotiation of terms, Inland agreed to make the Offer on the basis set out in this announcement 5. Irrevocable undertakings and interests in PI Shares Inland has received irrevocable undertakings to accept or to procure the acceptance of the Offer from each of the Poole Investments Directors (other than from David Cicurel whose connected trust has given the relevant undertaking) who have beneficial holdings in PI Shares, in respect of their entire holdings. Those holdings amount to, in aggregate, 7,652,854 PI Shares representing approximately 4.1 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments. These irrevocable undertakings will (other than the irrevocable undertaking given by David Cicurel's connected trust, which is on the terms outlined in the paragraph below) remain binding even where a third party competing offer is made for Poole Investments at a price higher than the Offer Price. Irrevocable undertakings have also been received from Judges Capital plc in respect of 5,700,000 PI Shares (3.1 per cent. of the PI Shares in issue) and Starlight Investments Limited in respect of 14,250,000 PI Shares (7.7 per cent. of the PI Shares in issue). The undertakings cease to be binding if a third party competing offer is made for Poole Investments at a price which represents a premium in excess of 10 per cent. over the Offer Price. The Takeover Panel has ruled that Starlight Investments Ltd is acting in concert with Dawnay Day (adviser to Inland) and is therefore deemed to be also acting in concert with Inland. Inland already holds 15,911,500 PI Shares representing 8.6 per cent. of the PI Shares in issue. Accordingly, Inland's interests, together with the PI Shares which are the subject of the irrevocable undertakings total, in aggregate, 43,424,354 PI Shares, representing approximately 23.5 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Poole Investments. 6. Information relating to Poole Investments Poole Investments' primary asset is a 9.5 acre plot of land in Lower Hamworthy, Dorset, upon which resides an investment property which provides a rental income to the Company. This land forms part of the area within the Poole 'Full Sail Ahead' regeneration scheme. The Borough of Poole, with the aid of consultants, has been deciding how best to plan and progress the regeneration of this area. Borough representatives have agreed with Poole Investments that during the remainder of 2007, a series of meetings will take place to establish common ground that might enable the Company to support the regeneration by way of a formal planning application. Planning consent for this site has not yet been secured and the timing on securing such planning permission and the nature of any development is uncertain. 7. Financing the Offer Inland proposes to finance the whole of the consideration payable pursuant to the Offer from its existing cash balances. Accordingly, the payment of interest on, repayment of or security for any liability (contingent or otherwise) will not depend to any significant extent on the business of Poole Investments. Dawnay Day, which is acting for Inland in connection with the Offer, is satisfied that the necessary financial resources are available to Inland to satisfy full acceptance of the Offer. 8. Future intentions If the Offer becomes, or is declared, wholly unconditional, Inland will become the holding company of Poole Investments. Inland intends to continue efforts to secure planning consents and promote the value of Poole Investments' property assets over a period of time. Inland is able to bring relevant expertise and experience to bear on the process. Poole Investments currently has limited cash resources and income, which hinders its ability to finance certain costs and expenses in relation to the progress of its property value. Furthermore, as and when the Offer becomes unconditional, Poole Investments will have to pay professional and other costs amounting to over £600,000. As a well-funded company, Inland will be able to subscribe for new PI Shares or make finance available in other ways (on arms' length terms) to enable it to finance such costs. Upon the Offer being declared or becoming unconditional in all respects, David Booth, David Cicurel and Tony Palmer have each agreed to step down from the Poole Investments Board. 9. Offer timetable and postal delays Due to the threatened postal strikes the Panel has requested that the first closing date of the Offer will be 28 days after the Offer Document is posted, and acceptances will not be capable of withdrawal until 49 days after the Offer Document is posted (subject to the Offer becoming unconditional earlier). Copies of the Offer Document will be available from the offices of Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance Limited at 17 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0BD and from Inland's website at www.inlandplc.com following the posting of the Offer Document to PI Shareholders. 10. Inducement fee Inland and Poole Investments have entered into an inducement fee agreement. Under this agreement, as an inducement for Inland to make the Offer, Poole Investments has agreed to pay £100,000 (inclusive of VAT, if payable) to Inland in certain circumstances. These circumstances are, broadly, where a third party makes an offer for Poole Investments which subsequently becomes or is declared wholly unconditional or where Poole Investments disposes of the Property or if the recommendation of the Offer by the Poole Investments Directors is withdrawn or otherwise adversely modified. The Poole Investments Directors, who have been so advised by Zeus Capital, are satisfied that these inducement fee arrangements are in the best interests of PI Shareholders taken as a whole. 11. Compulsory acquisition and cancellation of trading on AIM If Inland receives acceptances under the Offer in respect of, and/or otherwise acquires, in aggregate both 90 per cent. or more in value of the PI Shares to which the Offer relates and 90 per cent. or more of the voting rights carried by those shares, Inland intends to apply the procedures set out in sections 979 to 982 (inclusive) of the Companies Act 2006 to acquire compulsorily the remaining PI Shares on the same terms as the Offer. Following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, if Inland acquires or agrees to acquire, by virtue of its shareholding and acceptances of the Offer, issued share capital carrying 75 per cent. or more of the voting rights of Poole Investments and subject to any applicable requirements of the London Stock Exchange, Inland intends to procure that Poole Investments applies to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of PI Shares from trading on AIM. It is anticipated that such cancellation will take effect no earlier than 20 Business Days after the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects. The cancellation of trading of PI Shares will significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of any PI Shares not acquired by Inland. It is also proposed that, following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, Poole Investments will be re-registered as a private company. 12. Recommendation The Poole Investments Directors, who have been so advised by Zeus Capital, unanimously consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable so far as PI Shareholders are concerned. In providing advice to the Poole Investments Directors, Zeus Capital has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Poole Investments Directors. Accordingly, the Poole Investments Directors unanimously recommend that PI Shareholders accept the Offer, as the Poole Investments Directors who have beneficial holdings in PI Shares have (other than David Cicurel whose connected trust has) irrevocably undertaken to do (or to take steps within their power to cause acceptance of the Offer) in respect of their own beneficial holdings of PI Shares amounting to, in aggregate, 7,652,854 PI Shares, which represent approximately 4.1 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Poole Investments. 13. General The Offer Document, containing the full terms of the Offer, will be posted to PI Shareholders today, but in any event, within 28 days of today's date. The conditions to the Offer are set out in Appendix I to this announcement and, together with certain further terms of the Offer, will also be set out in full in the Offer Document and, in the case of certificated PI Shares, in the related form of acceptance. The availability of the Offer to PI Shareholders not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are citizens or in which they are resident. Such persons should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of any such relevant jurisdiction. In particular, the Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from or by the use of the mails of or any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, by means of facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, internet or other forms of electronic communication) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or by any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction, and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility from or within any Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a breach of any relevant securities laws of that Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement are not being, and must not be, mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a breach of any relevant securities laws of that Restricted Jurisdiction. Persons receiving this announcement (including without limitation, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not distribute or send it into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a breach of any relevant securities laws of that Restricted Jurisdiction. Any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves about, and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Further information in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be set out in the Offer Document. Enquiries: Inland plc Tel: (01923) 713 600 Stephen Wicks, Chief Executive Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance Limited Tel: (020) 7509 4570 David Floyd Alex Stanbury Poole Investments plc Tel: (07973) 820 492 David Booth Zeus Capital Limited Tel: (0161) 831 1512 Kevin Wilson Nick Cowles Buchanan Communications Tel: (020) 7466 5000 Jeremy Garcia / Susanna Gale This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be made by way of the Offer Document and, where appropriate, the related form of acceptance. The full terms and the condition of the Offer (including details of how the Offer may be accepted) will be set out in the Offer Document and, where appropriate, the related form of acceptance. PI Shareholders who accept the Offer may only rely on the Offer Document and, where appropriate, the related form of acceptance for all the terms and the condition of the Offer. In deciding whether or not to accept the Offer in relation to their PI Shares, Poole Investments Shareholders should rely only on the information contained, and procedures described, in the Offer Document and, where appropriate, the related form of acceptance. Poole Investments Shareholders are strongly advised to read the Offer Document being posted to them shortly, or in any event within 28 days of this announcement, which contains important information. Dawnay, Day, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, has authorised this announcement for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The principal place of business of Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance is 17 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0BD. Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance is acting exclusively for Inland and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Inland for providing the protections afforded to customers of Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance or for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to herein. Zeus Capital which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Poole Investments and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Poole Investments for providing the protections afforded to customers of Zeus Capital or for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to herein. The Inland Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement other than the information for which the Poole Investments Directors accept responsibility. Subject as aforesaid, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the Inland Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. The Poole Investments Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement relating to Poole Investments, themselves, their immediate families, related trusts and persons connected with them (save in each case for information on Inland's future plans for Poole Investments). Subject as aforesaid, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the Poole Investments Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to (amongst other things) the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Poole Investments and certain plans and objectives of the Directors of Poole Investments and Inland. These forward-looking statements, without limitation, can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as 'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal', 'believe', 'will', 'may', 'should', 'would', 'could' or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the Directors of Poole Investments or Inland in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, and the factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this announcement. Poole Investments and Inland assume no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required. The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other time is specified in relation to them, and service of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set out in this announcement since such date. Nothing contained in this announcement shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of Poole Investments except where expressly stated. The attention of Poole Investments Shareholders is drawn to the fact that under the Code there are certain UK dealing disclosure requirements in respect of relevant securities during an offer period. An Offer Period was deemed to have commenced on (and including) 3 July 2007 when the Poole Investments Board announced it had received an approach in relation to a possible offer. The disclosure requirements are set out in more detail in Rule 8 of the Code. In particular, under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Code, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in one per cent. or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Poole Investments, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the Business Day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the Offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the Offer Period otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of Poole Investments, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Code. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of Poole Investments by Inland or Poole Investments, or by any of their respective 'associates' (within the meaning of the Code), must also be disclosed by no later than 12.00 p.m. (London time) on the Business Day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. 'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8 of the Code, you should consult the Panel. If you are in any doubt as to the application of Rule 8 to you, please contact an independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, consult the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk or contact the Panel on telephone number +44 (020) 7638 0129; fax: +44 (020) 7236 7013. This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer or invitation to purchase any securities. APPENDIX I Conditions and certain further terms of the Offer The Offer will comply with the rules and regulations of the London Stock Exchange and the provisions of the City Code. The Offer and any acceptances under it will be governed by English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England. The Offer, which will be made by Inland, will be subject to the terms and condition to be set out in full in the Offer Document and, where appropriate, the form of acceptance, including: Conditions of the Offer The Offer is subject to the following conditions (none of which shall apply to environmental matters): 1. valid acceptances being received (and not, where permitted, withdrawn) by 1.00 p.m. on the First Closing Date (or such later time(s) and/or date(s) as Inland may, subject to the rules of the Code or with the consent of the Panel, decide), in respect of not less than 90 per cent. in nominal value (or such lesser percentage as Inland may decide) of the PI Shares to which the Offer relates, provided that this condition shall not be satisfied unless Inland and/ or its wholly owned subsidiaries shall have acquired or agreed to acquire, whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, PI Shares carrying, in aggregate, more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights normally exercisable at general meetings of the Company, including for this purpose (to the extent, if any, required by the Panel) any such voting rights attaching to any PI Shares that are unconditionally allotted or issued before the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances, whether pursuant to the exercise of any subscription rights, conversion rights or otherwise. For the purposes of this condition: (a) the expression 'PI Shares to which the Offer relates' shall be construed in accordance with sections 978-982 (inclusive) of the Companies Act 2006; and (b) PI Shares which have been unconditionally allotted shall be deemed to carry the voting rights which they will carry on issue; 2. no government or governmental, quasigovernmental, supranational, statutory or regulatory or investigative body (but excluding any environmental body) or any court (each a 'Third Party'), prior to the date when the Offer becomes otherwise unconditional in all respects, having taken, instituted or implemented, and there not continuing to be outstanding, any action, proceeding, suit, or formal investigation or having enacted, made or proposed any statute, regulation or order that would or might reasonably be expected to: (a) make the Offer or the acquisition of any PI Shares, or the acquisition by Inland or members of the Inland Group of any shares in or control of PI, void, unenforceable or illegal or directly or indirectly restrict, restrain, prohibit, delay or otherwise challenge or interfere with the implementation of, or impose additional conditions or obligations with respect to, or otherwise challenge the Offer or the acquisition of any PI Shares or the acquisition of control of PI; or (b) require, prevent or delay a divestiture by any member of the Inland Group of any PI Shares; or (c) impose any limitation on the ability of Inland or the Inland Group to conduct all or any material portion of its businesses or to own all or any material portion of their respective assets or property to an extent which in each case would be material; or (d) save pursuant to the Offer, require any member of the Inland Group to acquire or to offer to acquire any PI Shares owned by any third party; or (e) otherwise affect adversely the business profits or prospects of any member of the Inland Group or any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group to an extent which is material, and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which any Third Party could decide to take, implement or institute any such action, proceedings, suit or formal investigation under the laws of any jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated; 3. all necessary filings having been made in respect of the Offer and all required authorisations, orders, grants, recognitions, confirmations, consents, clearances, licences, permissions, exemptions and approvals (each an 'Authorisation') necessary or reasonably appropriate or required for or in respect of the Offer (including, without limitation, implementation and financing (which term includes, without limitation, any borrowing of any monies, the giving of any guarantee or security and the investment of the proceeds thereof or any other monies by any member of the Inland Group in the Wider Poole Investments Group and Inland's investment in PI Shares)) or the proposed acquisition of any shares in, or control of, Poole Investments by Inland being obtained on terms and in a form satisfactory to Inland (acting reasonably) from all appropriate Third Parties with whom any member of the Inland Group or the Wider Poole Investments Group has entered into contractual arrangements, where the absence of such would have a material adverse effect on the Inland Group or the Wider Poole Investments Group as the case may be and all such Authorisations remaining in full force and effect at the time at which the Offer becomes otherwise unconditional in all respects and no notice of any intention to revoke, suspend, restrict, modify or not renew any of the same having been received (which in each case would have a material adverse effect on the Wider Poole Investments Group) and all necessary filings having been made and all appropriate waiting periods (including any extension thereof) under any applicable legislation and regulation in any jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated, in each case as may be necessary in connection with the Offer under the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction and all necessary statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with; 4. there being no provision of any agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument (each an 'Arrangement') to which any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets may be bound, entitled or be subject which, as a direct result of the acquisition by Inland of the PI Shares or any of them, or change in the management or control of Poole Investments or the acquisition of control of Poole Investments by Inland will, or might reasonably be expected to, result in: (a) any monies borrowed by, or any other indebtedness (actual or contingent) of any such member being or becoming repayable or capable of being declared repayable immediately or earlier than the repayment date stated in such Arrangement, or the ability of any such member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness under any such Arrangement being withdrawn or inhibited; or (b) any such Arrangement being or becoming capable of being terminated or adversely modified or affected in any material respect or any onerous obligation arising or any materially adverse action being taken or arising thereunder; or (c) the interests or business of any such member in or with any other person, firm, company or body (or any arrangements relating to such interests or business) being terminated, modified or adversely affected in a material respect; or (d) any assets of any such member being or failing to be disposed of or charged in any manner howsoever, or any right arising under which any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or charged in any manner howsoever; or (e) the creation of any mortgage, charge or other security interest over the whole or any part of the business, property or assets of any such member, or any such security (whenever arising or having arisen) becoming enforceable; or (f) the value or financial or trading prospects of any such member being prejudiced or adversely affected in a material respect (in either case); or (g) any such member ceasing to be able to carry on business under any name under which it presently does so; or (h) the creation of liabilities by any such member which will or might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Wider Poole Investments Group taken as a whole; in each case, which will or might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse affect on the Wider Poole Investments Group, taken as a whole, 5. since 31 May 2007, and save as Disclosed prior to the date hereof, no member of the Wider Poole Investments Group having: (a) issued or authorised or proposed the issue of additional shares of any class, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares or securities or redeemed, purchased or reduced any part of its share capital; or (b) recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other distribution in respect of the share capital of the Company; or (c) merged with any body corporate or authorised or proposed or announced any intention to propose any merger, demerger, acquisition, disposal, transfer, mortgage or charge of or granting of any security over assets or shares (otherwise than in the ordinary course of business); or (d) authorised or proposed or announced its intention to propose any change in its share or loan capital; or (e) announced any proposal to purchase any of its own shares or purchased any such shares; or (f) issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures or (save in the ordinary course of business) incurred or increased any indebtedness or become subject to any contingent liability which is material; or (g) entered into any contract or commitment (whether in respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) which is of a long term or unusual nature or which involves or could involve an obligation of a nature or magnitude which is material otherwise than in the ordinary course of business; or (h) entered into any Arrangement which would be restrictive on the business of any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group and would have a material effect on the business of the Wider Poole Investments Group taken as a whole otherwise than in the ordinary course of business; or (i) entered into or varied the terms of any service agreement with any of the Poole Investments Directors except as Disclosed; or (j) acquired, disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or charged or encumbered or created any security interest over any asset or any right, title or interest in any asset (including, without limitation, shares and trade investments) or entered into any contract, reconstruction, amalgamation, commitment or other transaction or arrangement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business; or (k) waived or compromised any claim otherwise than in the ordinary course of business; or (l) proposed any voluntary winding up or taken any corporate action or had any order made for its winding up, dissolution or reorganisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of all or any of its assets and revenues; or (m) entered into any Arrangement to, or passed any resolution with respect to, or announced any intention to, or to propose to, effect any of the transactions or events referred to in this condition5; or 6. since 31 May 2007, and save as Disclosed: (a) no material adverse change in the business, financial or trading position or profits or assets or business, financial or trading prospects of the Company having occurred; and (b) no contingent or other liability having arisen which would or might reasonably affect Poole Investments or any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group materially and adversely, or having increased by an amount which is material to Poole Investments or the Wider Poole Investments Group taken as a whole; and (c) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or other legal proceedings having been instituted or threatened by or against or remaining outstanding against Poole Investments or any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group or to which Poole Investments or any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group is party (whether as plaintiff or defendant or otherwise) and which, in any case, is or might reasonably be expected to be material; and (d) no matter or matters having arisen or been disclosed (whether or not connected) which individually does not or may not constitute an event of sufficient materiality to constitute a breach of any one of conditions 6(a) to 6 (c), but which, when taken in aggregate are material in the context of the Offer or the Wider Poole Investments Group taken as a whole; or 7. Inland not having discovered (save as Disclosed): (a) that any financial or business or other information concerning the Company which has been disclosed at any time, whether publicly or otherwise, is materially misleading, contains a material misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a fact necessary to make the information contained therein not materially misleading or that any contingent liability disclosed in such information would or might materially and adversely affect directly or indirectly the business, profits or prospects of Poole Investments and which was not, if material, corrected by subsequent public announcement made before the date hereof; or (b) that any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group and which is not a subsidiary undertaking of Poole Investments is subject to any liability, contingent or otherwise, which is or might reasonably be expected to be material, and which is not and should have been disclosed in Poole Investments' annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 May 2007; or (c) any information which materially affects the import of any information disclosed by or on behalf of any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group to or on behalf of any member of the Wider Poole Investments Group; and, in each case, the consequence of the information subsequently discovered would, or would reasonably be expected to, have a material adverse effect on the Wider Poole Investments Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer. Inland reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part, all or any of the conditions set out above apart from the condition set out in paragraph 1. If Inland is required by the Panel to make an offer for PI Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Code, Inland may made such alterations to the above conditions, including the condition in paragraph 1, as are necessary to comply with the provisions of that rule. APPENDIX II Bases and Sources In this announcement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the following bases and sources have been used: 1. General Financial information relating to Poole Investments has been extracted from the relevant published annual report and accounts of Poole Investments and/or public statements made by Poole Investments. 2. Value of the Offer The Offer values the entire issued ordinary issued share capital of Poole Investments at approximately £11.1 million, based on the Offer Price of 6 pence for each PI Share. 3. Share prices The prices of PI Shares on a particular date are derived from the Closing Price for that date. 4. Time All the times referred to in this announcement are London times. APPENDIX III Definitions The following definitions apply throughout this announcement unless the context requires otherwise: 'Act' the Companies Act 1985 (as amended) 'AIM' a market operated by London Stock Exchange, otherwise known as the Alternative Investment Market 'Board' as the context requires, the board of directors of Poole Investments or the board of directors of Inland and the terms 'Poole Investments Board', 'Board of Poole Investments', 'Inland Board' and 'Board of Inland' shall be construed accordingly 'Business Day' any day (other than a public holiday, Saturday or Sunday) on which clearing banks in London are open for normal business 'Capita a trading name of Capita IRG Plc Registrars' 'certificated' or the description of a share or other security which is not in 'in uncertificated form (that is, not in CREST) certificated form' 'City Code' or the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers issued by the Panel 'Code' 'Closing Price' the closing middle market quotation of an Poole Investments Share as derived from the Daily Official List 'Daily Official the daily official list of the London Stock Exchange List' 'Dawnay Day' Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance Limited, financial adviser to Inland incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered 'Disclosed' disclosed in the annual report and accounts of Poole Investments for the year ended 31 May 2007 or publicly announced through a RIS or otherwise disclosed in the course of the due diligence undertaken by or on behalf of Inland in relation to Poole Investments prior to the date hereof, including without limitation, the matters set out in any report prepared for Inland by any of its advisers or consultants as part of such process 'Howarth Homes' Howarth Homes Limited, incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 02274807 'Inland the directors of Inland at the date of this document Directors' 'Inland Group' Inland and its subsidiaries 'Inland Homes' Inland Homes Limited, incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 05482989 'London Stock London Stock Exchange plc Exchange' 'Offer' or the recommended cash offer by Inland to acquire all of the 'Recommended Cash issued and to be issued PI Shares not already owned by Inland Offer' on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this announcement and to be set out in the Offer Document and any form of acceptance including, where the context requires, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer 'Offer Document' the formal document setting out the full terms and condition of the Offer to be posted to Poole Investments Shareholders shortly, but in any event, within 28 days of today's date 'Offer Period' the period commencing on (and including) 3 July 2007 and ending on the first closing date of the Offer or, if later, the date on which the Offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances or lapses 'Offer Price' 6 pence per PI Share 'Overseas Poole Investments Shareholders (or nominees of, or custodians Shareholders' or trustees for Poole Investments Shareholders) not resident in or citizens of the United Kingdom 'Panel' or the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers 'Takeover Panel' 'Poole Poole Investments plc, incorporated and registered in England Investments' or and Wales with registered number 02282021 'PI' or the 'Company' 'Poole Investments the directors of Poole Investments at the date of this Directors' or document 'Directors of Poole Investments' 'PI Shareholders' holders of PI Shares or 'Shareholders' 'PI Shares' or the existing unconditionally allotted or issued and fully 'Shares in paid (or credited as fully paid) ordinary shares of one pence each in the capital of Poole Investments and any further such shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued fully paid (or credited as fully paid) on or prior to the date on which the Offer closes or, subject to the provisions of the City Code, by such earlier date or dates as Inland may determine (but excluding any such shares held or which become held in treasury) Poole Investments' 'Property' a 9.5 acre plot of land in Lower Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset which is owned by the Company 'Regulatory a service approved by the London Stock Exchange for the Information distribution to the public of AIM announcements and included Service' within the list maintained on the London Stock Exchange's website or 'RIS' 'Restricted any jurisdiction where extension or acceptance of the Offer Jurisdiction' would violate the laws or relevant rules of that jurisdiction and, for the avoidance of doubt the United States and Japan are Restricted Jurisdictions and no E.U. country is a Restricted Jurisdiction 'subsidiary' or has the meanings given to those terms in the Act; 'subsidiary undertaking' 'uncertificated' recorded on the relevant register of PI Shares as being held or 'in in uncertificated form in CREST and title to which, by virtue uncertificated of the CREST Regulations, may be transferred by means of form' CREST 'United Kingdom' the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or 'UK' 'United States' or the United States of America, including the states its of the 'US' or 'USA' United States of America and the District of Columbia and all other areas subject to its jurisdiction its territories or possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction 'Zeus Capital' Zeus Capital Limited, of 3 Ralli Courts, West Riverside, Manchester, M3 5FT, financial adviser to Poole Investments, incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 04417845 END This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange NZM

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