Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s experienced planning team is co-led by Tim Hellier, who has over 28 years’ experience in planning, compulsory purchase matters, and environmental law. The firm handles large-scale development schemes across the UK; James Good advises a range of clients, from central government and local authorities to public and private companies, on their development projects. Tim Smith strengthens the team’s international reach, advising clients in England, Wales, and overseas on all aspects of complex regeneration schemes. The team has a ‘first-class‘ infrastructure practice and handles major projects, which is a particular area of strength for James Parker. Giles Pink boasts expertise in the promotion of large retail, residential, and mixed-use schemes, as well as on commercial development projects in Central London. The group is involved in significant energy projects; practice co-head Christian Drage ‘stands out' as a key practitioner for promoters of energy and transport infrastructure, and the team is handling DCOs for high-profile clients, such as National Grid. The practice is also at the forefront of data centre, battery storage, and small nuclear power station projects. Senior associate Emma Perring leads a significant proportion of the team’s contentious work, with particular experience in judicial reviews, environmental assessments, and CPO compensation mandates.
Planning in London
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Practice head(s):
Tim Hellier; Christian Drage
Other key lawyers:
Tim Smith; James Good; Giles Pink; James Parker; Emma Perring
Testimonials
‘Really lovely, professional, and approachable staff who know their stuff inside out and are willing to listen, debate, and formulate solutions for their clients, taking due consideration of all factors. The advice provided is always sensible and pragmatic.’
‘Approachable, friendly, willing to listen, and collaborative. I have always been presented with a ‘no boundaries or hierarchy’ type of approach.’
‘The BCLP planning team have a breadth of experience in their field. The advice they provide is delivered with confidence and gives you the comfort of knowing that whatever situation you are trying to resolve, they have been there before and know how to navigate their way through it.’
‘The individuals in the team are very approachable and user friendly, and they give you clear advice on what is required. They present you with considered options and a clear recommendation. In particular, Christian Drage stands out and has been a wealth of knowledge and of great support as we navigated our way through a planning process with a difficult local authority.’
‘The BCLP legal team is very well led and motivated. Exceptional quality and experience, especially from the more senior members of the legal team, with high-calibre juniors in support. The team are very easy to work with; it feels like a partnership and not at all stuffy or superior.’
‘Christian Drage is exceptional in his no frills, practical approach to problem solving and advice, using his many years of experience to the benefit of the client. He provides a high-level of confidence and clarity of advice in response to often daunting and complex situations. Christian is very likeable and a real pleasure to work with.’
‘The planning team at BCLP are first class and leaders in the industry, which is why they have been appointed on complex linear infrastructure projects. The strength and depth of the team’s expertise and ability to simplify complex planning issues is exceptional. They are absolute trusted advisors and a safe pair of hands.’
‘Christian Drage, James Parker, James Good, and Giles Pink all make up an exceptional team.’
Key clients
Lendlease Euston
National Grid
Landsec
URW
Precis Holdings
Tenacity
C.GEN Killingholme
Deliveroo
Crosstree
Derwent London
Work highlights
- Advising Lendlease on a 60-acre transformation of an area that aims to reconnect neighbourhoods that have, to date, been divided by the station and its tracks.
- Advising National Grid on various matters, including complex linear network reinforcement and connection projects such as East Anglia Green, Snowdonia VIP, and London Power Tunnels 2.
CMS
The planning practice at CMS handles both development planning and energy and infrastructure consenting. The team is led by ‘exceptional partner’ Ashley Damiral, who took over the role as head of UK planning in October 2022 and advises on regeneration schemes, logistics projects, and data centres. Led by Robin Hutchison, the group’s energy practice handles a significant number of DCOs acting for the promoter, and Robert Garden acts on significant energy and infrastructure projects. Residential development is still a key area of focus, and the firm has noted an increase in sub-sectors of residential development, such as student accommodation, senior living, and co-living – a particular area of expertise for Joshua Risso-Gill. The practice has a national and international reach, with pan-European portfolio deals being an area of strength. The team grew in 2022, following Stephen McNaught‘s retirement in April, taking on Shabana Anwar from BDB Pitmans in September, as well as David Hardy in August, an ‘impressive recent recruit’ who has strengthened the group’s advocacy capability.
Practice head(s):
Ashley Damiral
Other key lawyers:
Martin Evans; Joshua Risso-Gill; Robin Hutchison; Robert Garden; Katy Abrahams; Nicola Insley; Shabana Anwar; David Hardy
Testimonials
‘Well-rounded and detailed team with considerable experience across a number of development sites and well-tuned to policy.’
‘Attention to detail, responsiveness and commercial acumen all rank highly when considering the individuals.’
‘One of the best small planning teams in the country.’
Key clients
All England Tennis Club
Quintain
Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farms
Arch AA UK Limited
Jeremy Clarkson
St Edward Homes
Urbanest
HyNet Project
Mitsubishi Estates
Columbia Threadneedle
Basio Holdings
Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm
Aviva Life & Pensions Limited
Taras Properties
EuroLink
SEGRO
SSE
Old Truman Brewery Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the All England Lawn Tennis Ground Plc on all planning and highways matters in connection with its proposal to expand the club to deliver a new stadium, a large number of new grass courts, and an array of public benefits.
- Advised Quintain on Wembley Park which is a strategic regeneration of over 1.4 million sq. ft. surrounding Wembley Stadium, including scheme amendments, planning obligations, CIL, and highways matters.
- Advising Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farms on the newly proposed commercial scale green hydrogen production project.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
The planning team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP demonstrates ‘exceptional experience and expertise’ across commercial development and energy and infrastructure projects. Practice head Matthew White has a wealth of experience advising developers on the promotion of commercial regeneration schemes and mixed-use developments, working on projects across the UK and internationally. Senior associate Martyn Jarvis also advises on significant mixed-use commercial development projects. Catherine Howard has ‘capably led’ the growth of the energy and infrastructure practice, and the team is acting on an increasing number of solar DCOs. The group has a strong judicial review practice; Ben Hazenberg has experience in all aspects of contentious planning law and Charlotte Dyer has led on advising EDF Energy on the judicial review regarding the DCO for the Sizewell C nuclear power station. The firm is also advising on other developing areas within the planning space, including life sciences projects, data centres, and logistics; senior associate Ian Mack is taking a lead role advising Gatwick and Luton Airports on their DCO expansion plans.
Practice head(s):
Matthew White
Other key lawyers:
Catherine Howard; Charlotte Dyer; Martyn Jarvis; Ian Mack; Ben Hazenberg
Testimonials
‘Experienced, insightful, and straightforward advice each and every time. The team at HSF continue to provide us with strategic, tactical and detailed advice, which keeps our project moving forward.’
‘Catherine Howard brings so much to any conversation; her advice is tailored and to the point.’
‘Charlotte Dyer has a powerful input; no stone is left unturned and no detail missed.’
‘Catherine Howard’s NSIP and DCO knowledge and experience is second-to-none. Charlotte Dyer has possibly the most thorough legal mind I have ever encountered.’
‘HSF’s planning team is the very best in the City. It has truly exceptional experience and expertise, and offers a level of analysis and insight that is very rare. The team has grown in recent years, building a strength in depth that has significantly increased the firm’s capacity to deal with the biggest and most complex projects.’
‘Catherine Howard is in a league of her own. I cannot think of any solicitor who is as clever, incisive and tactically astute as her. Catherine’s team really look up to her, and clients know that they can trust her completely. She is 100% committed to the client’s interests, and pursues them with rigour and determination at all times.’
‘Charlotte Dyer is an outstanding associate.’
‘Matthew White is very easy to deal with and understands clients’ requirements and objectives.’
Key clients
British Land
EDF Energy
EDF Energy
British Land and GIC
Brockton Everlast
Gatwick Airport Limited
Lendlease
AQUIND Limited
London Luton Airport Operations Limited
Greater London Authority and Transport for London
Berkeley Homes
London Legacy Development Corporation
Indaver
Sellar Property Group
bp Exploration Operating Company Limited
Schroders
Evolution Power
Landsec
The British Library
SMBL Developments Limited
Castleforge
Work highlights
- Advising British Land on their development proposals for the Canada Water Masterplan in the London Borough of Southwark and British Land and a sovereign wealth fund on all planning matters in relation to its 32-acre iconic Broadgate campus in the heart of the City of London.
- Advising EDF Energy on its £20bn new nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk (Sizewell C).
- Advising Gatwick Airport on its DOC promotion to authorise a £500m airport reconfiguration project to turn the existing emergency runway into a second operational runway and related plans for enhanced airport infrastructure.
Pinsent Masons LLP
The ‘premier‘ planning team at Pinsent Masons LLP added to both its client base and its offering in 2022. The group’s strong energy practice continues to grow in new areas, including water projects regarding both reservoirs and infrastructure, which is a particular area of expertise for Robbie Owen. Gordon McCreath also focuses on the water sector, as well as offshore wind and highways. Promoted to legal director in May 2023, Claire Brodrick is involved in the team’s work on solar farm NSIPs. Practice head Richard Griffiths has extensive DCO experience, including large-scale solar and energy DCO projects. Griffiths leads the team alongside the ‘exemplary‘ Richard Ford and Nicholle Kingsley, who is involved in large-scale regeneration schemes in London. Iain Gilbey focuses on residential and mixed-use developments, as well as commercial and large ‘garden’ settlements.
Practice head(s):
Nicholle Kingsley; Richard Griffiths; Richard Ford
Other key lawyers:
Iain Gilbey; Robbie Owen; Gorden McCreath; Claire Broderick; Alexis Coleman; Matt Fox; Reza Newton-Sanders
Testimonials
‘It is the premier UK team when it comes to large-scale consenting projects and DCO work in the planning space. The team is knowledgeable and approachable from the top down.’
‘Richard Griffiths is at the top of his game and really understands his client’s projects.’
‘Richard Ford is exemplary – his legal and sectorial knowledge is vast. He proactively seeks to introduce opportunities to clients, whether in the legal field or otherwise, ensures that his clients are well informed and personally ensures clients are well looked after. He is pragmatic yet tenacious in his approach and very approachable. Definitely someone I would want on my side rather than opposite me.’
Key clients
The Greater London Authority
National Highways
Orsted Wind Power
EDF-Renewables
Transport for London
BYM Capital
Southern Water
Drax Power Limited
Berkeley Group
London Borough of Croydon
Delancey
Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation
Eon
The Silvertown Partnership
Landsec
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
Stone Hill Park Limited
BSF International
Cory Riverside Energy
Portman Estate
Grosvenor Estate
Lendlease
Sunnica Limited
Southampton International Airport Limited
Scottish Power Manweb
City of London Corporation
London Borough of Southwark
London Borough of Newham
Hines
Apache
Moda Living
Caddick Developments Ltd
EcoWorld
Sir Richard Sutton
Wellcome Trust
Island Green Power
University London Hospitals Charity
Clarion
RP Assets
Royal London
L&G
Port of Tilbury London Limited
Portsmouth City Council
Downing LLP
Work highlights
- Advising Elephant & Castle Properties on all planning aspects of the redevelopment of Elephant & Castle shopping centre and London College of Communication in the London Borough of Southwark, including successfully defending a judicial review challenge in the Court of Appeal.
- Advising EDF-R on three utility-scale solar DCO applications, being Longfield Solar Farm in Essex, Springwell Solar Farm in Lincolnshire, and Custodian Solar Farm in Buckinghamshire, together totalling nearly 1.5GW of new solar energy.
- Advising Anglian Water on all aspects of its Strategic Resource Option water resource projects, including the proposed South Lincolnshire Reservoir SRO, Fenland Reservoir SRO, and Anglian to Affinity Transfer SRO.
Town Legal LLP
Town Legal LLP is a ‘highly specialised’ firm focusing purely on planning law matters. Jointly chaired by Clare Fielding and Duncan Field, the practice advises clients on all aspects of planning law. Fielding’s specialisms include CPO and CIL work, and Raj Gupta also specialises in compulsory purchase and compensation law. The firm is at the forefront of developing areas within the sector, noting an increase in life sciences projects, an area in which Juliet Munn, who was promoted to legal director in July 2023, has been heavily involved. The practice also sees a significant amount of activity within the logistics space, advising on large-scale logistics schemes, as well as urban logistics and last-mile logistics projects. Meeta Kaur handles both non-contentious and contentious planning matters, including judicial review and statutory challenges, and Mary Cook has a wealth of experience acting on planning appeals. The firm brings together experts within the sector: Patrick Robinson has more than 40 years’ planning experience; Simon Ricketts has a wide local government practice; Michael Gallimore has over 30 years’ experience spanning regeneration and mixed-use schemes; and Spencer Tewis-Allen, promoted to partner in October 2022, is a specialist in large scale, complex developments.
Practice head(s):
Clare Fielding; Duncan Field
Other key lawyers:
Elizabeth Christie; Mary Cook; Raj Gupta; Meeta Kaur; Simon Ricketts; Louise Samiel; Spencer Tewis-Allen; Victoria McKeegan; Juliet Munn; Chris Todman; Michael Gallimore; Patrick Robinson; Matt Speed; Chris Todman
Testimonials
‘Highly specialised and focused on planning.’
‘Very high-quality partners and staff.’
‘The best firm for planning advice.’
Key clients
Curzon Park Limited
London Borough of Islington
Brookhouse Group Limited
The Crown Estate
Vistry Partnerships
Imperial College
Reselton Properties Limited
Stanhope
Battersea Power Station Development Company
Montreaux Cricklewood Developments Limited
Chelmsford Garden Community
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association
Arun District Council
Great Portland Estates
Clan (Guildford) LLP
Langwith Developments
Southend Borough Council
Work highlights
- Advised the London Borough of Islington on the redevelopment of Holloway Prison, a residential-led Peabody scheme to provide a new estate of 985 new homes, 60% of which will be affordable housing.
- Advising the Chelmsford Garden Consortium on the planning strategy for the optimum delivery of a major new garden community totalling 5,500 homes in Chelmsford, Essex.
- Advising Native Land on proposals to redevelop a landmark riverside site in a prominent town centre location in Guildford, involving the demolition of the former Debenhams department store and its replacement with two high quality residential-led buildings (including nearly 200 flats), along with retail floorspace and a cinema.
Ashurst
Ashurst’s broad planning practice has three key areas of focus: acting for developers, representing clients from the public sector, and its standalone infrastructure work. The team participates in energy and energy from waste projects, and has experience in transport infrastructure, counting companies such as Aviva and TfL among its clients. As well as significant regeneration projects in London, the firm is also advising on urban extensions and new settlements outside of the capital. The team handles contentious planning matters, including CPOs and appeals, seeing matters through to both the High Court and the Supreme Court. Practice co-head Trevor Goode’s extensive experience in CPOs and town centre regeneration enables him to lead on several of the team’s key projects. The ‘excellent’ Claire Dutch specialises in all aspects of planning law and she was promoted to practice head of the firm’s wider UK real estate team in November 2022. Charlie Reid was recently promoted to counsel and, alongside senior associate Ben Groves, has been advising some of the team’s key clients.
Practice head(s):
Trevor Goode; Claire Dutch
Other key lawyers:
Eleanor Reeves; Charlie Reid; Ben Groves; Olivia Barton; Brian Cheung
Testimonials
‘Claire Dutch provides clear and calm advice. She is someone who always fights her client’s corner. She has an energetic disposition and is a team player, as well as a leader, and is respected by her peers.’
‘Incredibly collaborative, team-orientated, and an absolute pleasure to work with on complex planning matters. The wealth of knowledge and experience from across the team is particularly standout and necessary to execute a successful planning strategy and delivery.’
‘An excellent eye for detail, commercial awareness and natural collaborative approach across a range of planning matters. Particular standout work from Claire Dutch and Ben Groves, advising on section 106 and general legal strategy.’
Key clients
Lendlease
GLA
TfL
Urban & Provincial
OPDC
Aviva
Ballymore
Hill Group
Poplar HARCA
Berkeley
OxWED LLP
Countryside
Greystar
Telford
Al-Mubarakia Limited
Rockwell
EastSide Partnership
The Crown Estate
The Arch Company
Homes England
Westminster City Council
Worcestershire County Council
Grosvenor
Work highlights
- Advising Lendlease, on defending the judicial review claim by Tottenham Hotspurs and on its £2bn+ regeneration of the High Road West site allocation in Tottenham, Haringey, which will deliver vital new homes (2,900 including 500 council homes), jobs, and open space, alongside new retail, office, leisure, and community floorspace.
- Advising the Transport for London on multiple strategic planning applications in London, including Newcombe House, Thameside West, Bishopsgate Goodsyard, Stratford Waterfront, MSG Sphere, Bollo Lane and Nine Elms.
- Advised Urban & Provincial on all stages of the application and the appeal on its Windsor Grove scheme, a project that involves two applications on two sites in Lambeth: Shakespeare Road, a large site proposed for residential use; and the relocation and upgrade of the existing waste use to Windsor Grove.
BDB Pitmans
The planning team at BDB Pitmans continues to consolidate its reputation in the infrastructure sector, thanks to its ‘great strength in depth in the field of infrastructure planning’. The firm handles significant infrastructure projects in a range of areas, including road, rail, and air, dealing with DCOs and orders under the Transport and Works Act and the Harbours Act. Mark Challis heads the planning team, leading major projects for National Highways alongside Angus Walker. With its established preeminence in DCOs, the group is expanding its energy practice, participating in projects involving solar, hydrogen, and offshore wind. Richard Marsh leads the energy DCO practice within the team. The group’s continued development is reflected in its growing client list; the firm secured new clients in the area of over-station development and won a significant DCO promotion for East West Rail, led by Duncan O’Connor. Other prominent figures in the team include Sarak Clark, who is leading on significant flood prevention schemes, and Tom Henderson, who led the team on its involvement in the Lower Thames Crossing. Mustafa Latif-Aramesh, who is praised for his ‘encyclopaedic knowledge and case law’, was elevated to partner in July 2023.
Practice head(s):
Mark Challis
Other key lawyers:
Angus Walker; Sarah Clark; Tom Henderson; Nicholas Evans, Richard Marsh; Duncan O’Connor; Mustafa Latif-Aramesh; Oksana Price; Mark Challis
Testimonials
‘The BDBP team have great strength in depth in the field of infrastructure planning. It is a very knowledge-led team and produces an outstanding infrastructure planning law blog for clients and others. This means that it is always completely up to date with all the latest developments in the field, which it uses to its clients’ benefit.’
‘Angus Walker is a high-profile and very experienced infrastructure planning solicitor. Tom Henderson is a really smart young partner who is definitely going places.’
‘The team has a leading position in infrastructure planning with a wealth of experience held by members of the team.’
Key clients
National Highways
London Luton Airport Operations Limited
The Environment Agency
Alternative Use Boston Projects Limited
RiverOak Strategic Partners Limited
East Suffolk Council
South Tees Development Corporation
London Borough of Lambeth
Transport for London
DFDS
Green GEN Cymru
East West Railway Limited
Northumberland County Council
Work highlights
- Advising National Highways on the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, a project that is the largest investment in the road network since the M25 and that will be the subject of a major DCO examination in 2023.
- Advising London Luton Airport Ltd. on a proposed expansion of the airport, a large project that will be the subject of a major DCO examination in 2023.
- Advising on environmental flood defence schemes, including advising East Suffol Counsel on a forthcoming transport and works application for a major flood defence scheme in Lowestoft, East Sussex.
Addleshaw Goddard
The ‘collaborative and proactive' planning team at Addleshaw Goddard continues to participate in significant housing and regeneration schemes in London and across the country, drawing on the firm’s regional strengths. The group frequently handles high-profile Transport and Works Act and DCO promotions. Marnix Elsenaar is the head of the firm’s national planning and infrastructure consenting team, in addition to the group’s transport practice. The transport sector is a key focus area for the team; Francis Tyrrell joined the firm in February 2023 from Pinsent Masons LLP in order to bolster the transport practice, bringing a full spectrum of expertise that spans ports, airports, rails, canals, and roads. Managing associate Sarah Hodge leads for some of the firm’s key transport clients. Led by Gary Sector, the group’s energy practice also continued to bolster its London presence in 2022 through the hiring of Michael Dempsey in June from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, as well as through significant projects in growing fields such as carbon capture and renewable energy.
Practice head(s):
Marnix Elsenaar
Other key lawyers:
Gary Sector; Sarah Hodge; Michael Dempsey; Francis Tyrrell
Testimonials
‘Very collaborative and proactive.’
Key clients
Pocket Living
British Land
Watkin Jones
Angelo Gordon and Beltane
Aviva
SGN
JRL
Dandara
AB Agri
British Sugar PLC
Work highlights
- Represented Watkin Jones in winning a planning appeal for a purpose built student accommodation development in Guildford.
- Advising British Land on a major scheme in Ealing.
- Advising Aviva on the promotion of a major mixed-use scheme in central London.
Burges Salmon LLP
The planning team at Burges Salmon LLP handles a large number of NSIPs across various sectors, including rail, highways, and pipelines, with Elizabeth Dunn taking a lead role in the consenting of these schemes. The practice handles a range of energy projects, and solar is a particular growth area for the team; Julian Boswall has significant experience in both energy and transport projects and ‘brilliant‘ senior associate Jen Ashwell advises on the consenting of local authority-led transport and regeneration schemes. Practice head Gary Soloman takes a lead role in the team’s increasing CPO work as an expert in the planning, compulsory purchase, and compensation aspects of regeneration projects, large-scale developments, and highway proposals. Alex Minhinick, also an expert on CPO compensation matters, was promoted to partner in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Gary Soloman
Other key lawyers:
Julian Boswall; Elizabeth Dunn; Alex Minhinick; Jen Ashwell; John Arthur; Cathryn Tracey; Daniel Whittle; Paula McGeady
Testimonials
‘Jen Ashwell is a brilliant associate, one of the best team leaders I have worked with, a skilful lawyer and skillful motivator.’
‘Gary Soloman is an excellent team leader, wise and very bright. Cathryn Tracey has a sharp mind with very good judgement.’
‘Jen Ashwell is superbly efficient. Daniel Whittle demonstrates very clear thinking.’
‘The individuals that we have worked with have been in place for over 10 years which provides both continuity as well as a mutual understanding of needs, building trust and respect. This includes Gary Solomon and Paula McGeady.’
‘Alex Minhinick’s clear, calm advice has been essential to managing the risks and meeting procedural requirements. He provides an actual, measured answer which is implementable and makes decision making as a client far easier. Alex knows his industry and is always at the forefront of networks and knowledge.’
‘Elizabeth Dunn is very responsive and is also helpful. She works collaboratively with her clients to find pragmatic and sensible resolutions to any issues that are identified. Liz is also proactive with advice.’
‘Julian Boswall’s profile within the industry is particularly high as he chairs the Renewables UK Offshore Consents and Licensing Group. This means that he is very up to speed on all issues that affect the wider industry, and he is well connected and knows who to talk to about various issues.’
‘Elizabeth Dunn and Cathryn Tracey are the standout team members for us. In both cases their calm confidence is backed by genuine expertise.’
Key clients
Isle of Anglesey County Council
Environment Agency
Historic England
National Trust
Department for Transport
National Highways
YTL Property Holdings
Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Skanska
Torbay Council
Progressive Energy Limited
North Somerset Council
TfL/GLA
Bute Energy
Equinor
Drax
RWE Renewables
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
South Hams District Council
Work highlights
- Advising GLA on the development of the Gallions Quarter site located between the Royal Docks and River Thames near Beckton, leading on all aspects of planning, highways and CPO advice.
- Advising the Transport Infrastructure Planning Unit on making its decisions on Transport and Works Act Orders and non-National Highways DCO applications.
- Advising Equinor New Energy Limited on the application for an order to grant development consent to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission two offshore wind farms known as the Sheringham Shoal Extension Project and the Dudgeon Extension Project.
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's planning team covers a full range of planning matters, including contentious matters, and the firm has a successful track record in planning appeals. The group is involved in fast-growing areas within the sector, including hydrogen projects, as well as experience in more niche areas of planning, such as projects in the minerals and engineering sectors. Claire Fallows heads the team, with experience in significant London regeneration schemes and strategic land projects for landowners and developers.
Practice head(s):
Claire Fallows
Other key lawyers:
Rachael Davidson; Sophie Willis
Testimonials
‘The team at CRS works like clockwork. Everyone is on the same page and their commitment is always 100%.’
‘Their understanding of the matter is clear. Compared to other firms, CRS stand out beyond others.’
‘My main contact is one of the best, if not the best. Claire Fallows’ service level is outstanding.’
‘The distinguishing characteristic of the team is their understanding of the client and the knowledge of the subject. Town planning is always moving, and Claire Fallow is always sharp on these matters.’
‘Very strong planning and compulsory purchase practice, led by Claire Fallows, with a strong supporting team. Experience and strong judgement in terms of strategy and good outcomes. Pragmatic and practical in its outlook.’
‘Claire Fallows has extremely good judgement and is not afraid to take difficult calls on the basis of her knowledge and experience. She doesn’t just execute (although she does that very well); she contributes invaluable opinion and recommendation. She is supported by a very capable team, in particular Sophie Willis.’
‘The planning practice team at CRS is highly professional and works at a very efficient level providing valued professional advice.’
‘The planning practice team works to make its client queries its priority and ensures that we feel we are a much-valued client with every query we send their way. Claire Fallows works very hard to lead her team on a professional level providing an outstanding level of service.’
Key clients
The Church Commissioners for England
Greenwich Millennium Village Limited
Air Products Limited
Bellway Homes Limited
Higgins Homes plc
Countryside Properties
Biomed Realty
Eton College
David Lloyd Leisure Limited
MCA Developments Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the Church Commissioners for England on a number of major residential-led and mixed-use developments across its strategic land portfolio.
- Acted for Air Products on a major hydrogen project and the associated application for a development consent order.
- Assisting Biomed Realty with a successful appeal for a new life sciences development in Cambridge.
Clifford Chance LLP
Clifford Chance LLP's planning team has a strong focus on complex and large-scale developments and regeneration schemes. The team is involved in large infrastructure projects and has continued to expand into the energy sector in 2022, reviewing a DCO application for a significant energy project. Practice head Nigel Howorth has a strong background in energy, as well as in major development and regeneration schemes. The group has also developed a niche expertise in construction above or adjacent to railway lines. In 2022, the team continued to expand its high-profile client roster, which includes Canary Wharf Group; senior associate Katie Kempthorne has played an active role in the team’s work for Canary Wharf Group.
Practice head(s):
Nigel Howorth
Other key lawyers:
Katie Kempthorne; Anneke Theelan; Kate Mackintosh
Testimonials
‘Brilliant commercial analysis delivered quickly and always on time. There are backup research resources if deeper and broader consultation is needed.’
‘Nigel Howorth has a huge wealth of experience allied to very sound commercial feel for any scenario presented to him.’
‘Kate Mackintosh gets to grips with the core issues and quickly and efficiently weaves everything together so that the salient themes are analysed thoroughly and explained in an easy-to-understand manner.’
‘Kate Mackintosh is very prompt in dealing with queries and issues as they arise, and has deep technical knowledge and experience in her field, which has been of great assistance to us in such a complex area. Kate is also able to communicate these esoteric topics in a client-friendly manner such that we can easily understand and make decisions.’
‘They are all very good technically and, over the years they, have acquired an intimate knowledge of our business which enables them to make informed decisions and draft and align their advice to our needs.’
‘The team is very personable and responsive. They have a very commercial and pragmatic approach to planning and development. They look to find innovative solutions to problems and think outside the box!’
‘Nigel Howorth and Katie Mackintosh are very easy to deal with and have always been very responsive. They care about the work they are doing and will go the extra mile to deal with issues. They are reliable and have a solid commercial understanding of planning and development.’
Key clients
Angelo Gordon and the Ridgeback Group
Canary Wharf Group
Helical Plc
International Airlines Group
British Airways Plc
NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT
Legal & General
Blackstone
CBRE Global Investors
Nuveen
AIG Global Real Estate
Work highlights
- Advising Canary Wharf on the continuing 750,000 sqm urban quarter project at Wood Wharf and on the North Quay development (a mixed-used office and residential towers scheme) on a 7.3 acre site.
- Advising Helical plc on all planning aspects of the ongoing major redevelopment of 100 New Bridge Street, London EC4, to deliver a grade A sustainable office building.
- Advising Canary Wharf on its landmark North Quay development to feature a mixed-used scheme on a 3.8 hectare site forming a major extension to the Canary Wharf site.
Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co’s full-service planning offering encompasses all aspects of transactional and contentious planning and environmental work, from NSIPs to sustainable settlements. Ian Ginbey co-leads the team, advising on both non-contentious and contentious matters, appearing in public inquiries and before the High Court, and handling CPOs and related litigation. Practice co-head Brian Greenwood has consolidated the team’s DCO expertise across major infrastructure projects, as well as ports, highways, airports, and railways. The practice has a strong team of senior associates, including Emma Barkas, who advises on NSIPs, and Carolyn Morgan-Welker, who specialises in environmental law and areas such as minerals planning permission and biodiversity net gain.
Practice head(s):
Ian Ginbey; Brian Greenwood
Other key lawyers:
Carolyn Morgan-Welker; Emma Barkas: Anna Simpson; Rajpreet Uppal
Testimonials
‘Ian Ginbey is at the very top of the planning tree; a truly superb planning lawyer and huge fun to work with too.’
‘Extensive knowledge and in-depth experience in port-related planning projects.’
‘Brian Greenwood has exceptional in-depth experience in port-related planning projects.’
Key clients
Associated British Ports
Pinewood Studios Ltd
Corinthian Land Limited
CEMEX UK Operations Limited
Freshwater Group of Companies
Dignity plc
Oikos Storage Limited
Taylor Wimpey
Reading Borough Council
Regal London
Hutchison Whampoa
Peel Holdings plc
CEG
Arlington
Marcol
iSec
U + I
North London Collegiate School
Olleco
Connected Living London Limited
Project Genesis Limited
Pall Mall Investments Limited
Slough Borough Council
Halley Developments Limited
Burlington Developments Limited
Countryside
Vistry
Riverside Group JVs
The Thames Club Limited
Dentons
The planning team at Dentons has a varied client base, ranging from national and local government to investors, developers, and infrastructure providers. Roy Pinnock leads the team in advising on all aspects of planning law, including large-scale development and housing, in addition to urban and mixed-use regeneration schemes. The group expertly handles various aspects of residential developments, and Rachael Herbert specialises in developments in the elderly care sector. Michele Vas has demonstrable experience in energy and transport-related infrastructure, advising on Transport and Works Act and development consent orders. At the senior associate level, Lucy McDonnell and Katie Scuoler have extensive experience in compulsory purchases, and the addition of Chris Robinson in February 2022 further strengthens the team’s expertise in CPO advice.
Practice head(s):
Roy Pinnock
Other key lawyers:
Michele Vas; Lucy McDonnell; Rachael Herbert; Katie Scuoler; Chris Robinson
Testimonials
‘Michele Vas and Katie Scuoler are standout lawyers.’
‘A very well organised, efficient, and young team with great sector expertise.’
‘Katie Scuoler is extremely capable, knowledgeable and charismatic, with the confidence to challenge the thinking and drive things forward. A privilege to work with.’
Key clients
Anschutz Sports Holdings Limited
Bedford Borough Council
Peabody Development Limited
Places for People Developments Limited
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Southend on Sea Borough Council
Taylor Wimpey UK Limited
Telereal Trillium
Tide Construction
David Wilson Homes
Capreon
Regal London
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Regal London
Bedford Borough Council
SSE
Keadby
Chelmsford City Council
Marks and Spencer plc
Kier
Patrizia
Work highlights
- Advised Marks and Spencer plc on the forward planning strategy for the landmark Oxford Street store, progressing the application through the public inquiry held in October/ November 2022 after it was called in by the Secretary of State in June 2022.
- Advising Chelmsford City Council on the new Chelmsford Garden Community, which involves working collaboratively with Ptarmigan, Halley, and Countryside developers on a planning framework agreement.
- Advising Places for People on the Gilston Park Estate proposal project, which includes up to 8,500 homes and supporting infrastructure, including six primary schools and two secondary schools.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
The planning team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s London office focuses on strategic residential development, urban regeneration, and significant infrastructure projects. The team is experienced in energy infrastructure, and practice head Stuart Andrews specialises in the promotion of international energy projects. The group advises on technical planning matters, including water neutrality, legacy planning, and equalisation. The team handles a range of contentious matters, including judicial reviews and statutory challenges, and is bolstered by Daniel Freiman’s ‘fantastic practical and legal planning knowledge' from across the transport, water, energy, and waste sectors. Freiman also has particular expertise in the consenting of major infrastructure projects. Matthew Nixon left the firm in March 2023.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Andrews
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Frieman; Hannah Abu-Harb
Testimonials
‘A knowledgeable team that is building depth.’
‘Daniel Freiman has fantastic practical and legal planning knowledge. He knows the pressures on clients and how to get things moving.’
‘Superb attention to detail and high-quality legal drafting and analysis.’
Key clients
Marlow Film Studio
Berkeley Homes (North London) Limited
Henley Camland
St Congar
Gowling WLG
Practice head Vicky Fowler, an expert in CPO matters, sits at the helm of Gowling WLG's planning team and advises both public and private clients on the making and implementation of CPOs, particularly for regeneration schemes. The department handles a range of contentious work, including planning appeals, High Court planning litigation, and judicial review work; several members of the team are sought after due to their advocacy in the Planning Court. Ben Stansfield has continued to develop his reputation as an environmental lawyer, spearheading projects involving sustainable infrastructure, biodiversity net gain, and mineral neutrality.
Practice head(s):
Vicky Fowler
Other key lawyers:
Ben Stansfield; Tim Sharp; Laura Nation
Testimonials
‘Ben Stansfield has a very commercial, wide experience that he can apply to different situations, and a genuine passion for sustainability.’
Key clients
Greater London Authority
Transport for London
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
Westminster City Council
Land Securities
London Borough of Barnet
Legal & General (Strategic Land) and Modular Homes
The Crown Estate
St Modwen
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
Suffolk Constabulary
SEGRO
Galliard Homes Limited
Lidl
National Highways
Valero Energy
Bloor Homes
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Be First
Blackstone
Cherry Orchard Homes and Villages
Fornax Environmental
Work highlights
- Advised Westminster City Council on the redevelopment of the Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration.
- Advised Land Securities (U+I) on the redevelopment of Morden Wharf for a mixed-use development, including the provision of 1,500 residential apartments.
- Advised Ryan Property Group on its successful planning appeal for a continuing care retirement community at Rochford in Essex.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hannah Quarterman leads the broad planning practice at Hogan Lovells International LLP and supports clients across the full range of planning matters, including regeneration and infrastructure projects. Quarterman is an ‘excellent lawyer’, with particular specialisms in compulsory purchase and CIL work. Senior associate David Wood advises on projects in the infrastructure and energy sector, and the team is experienced in environmental and ESG matters, such as biodiversity net gain. The practice demonstrates expertise in specialist planning matters, such as rights of light, and senior associate Robert Gowing brings heritage-related experience to the team.
Practice head(s):
Hannah Quarterman
Other key lawyers:
David Wood; Caroline Stares; Robert Gowing; Rosie Shields;
Testimonials
‘We have been very impressed with the partner-led commercial advice.’
‘Robert Gowing is dedicated and an excellent planning lawyer.’
‘Hogan Lovells’ planning team is the perfect combination of genuinely lovely people who are also exceptional at their jobs. As a group, they are responsive, clear, and willing to go above and beyond always with a friendly and collegiate manner. They are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Hannah Quarterman is second-to-none. She is whip-smart and an excellent lawyer. She gives clear, considered advice and is able to think through the knottiest issues with clarity and certainty. I trust her judgment implicitly. She is also a joy to work with.’
‘Rosie Shields is a talented associate who goes above and beyond and is also able to consider and advise on difficult issues with clarity.’
‘Polished, commercially minded, perceptive and straightforward about both the weaknesses and strengths of the client’s position’
‘Hannah Quarterman and Caroline Stares produce carefully thought through, illuminating and immensely helpful instructions.’
Key clients
AXA Real Estate Investment Managers UK Ltd
Greystoke Land Ltd
Related Argent
The Berkeley Group
Encyclis
Veolia
Bishopsgate Goodsyard Regeneration
M&G Real Estate
Intermediate Capital Group
J.P. Morgan
British Land
Landsec
Create Commercial REIT
Airbnb
MSD
The Church Commissioners for England
Minerva
BentallGreenOak
Work highlights
- Advising Related Argent on all planning matters relating to the redevelopment of Brent Cross Town, an £8bn 180 acre mixed-use regeneration scheme providing 6,700 new homes and workspace for over 25,000 people.
- Advising Bishopsgate Goodsyard Regeneration Limited on obtaining planning permission and listed building consents for the £1bn regeneration of Bishopsgate Goodsyard.
- Advising Veolia on the impact to its landfill operations at South Ockendon of National Highways’ proposed Lower Thames Crossing, a 23km motorway linking Essex, London and Kent and including two 4.2km long tunnels under the Thames.
Mishcon de Reya LLP
‘Brilliant planning partner’ Anita Rivera heads the planning practice at Mishcon de Reya LLP, advising commercial and residential property developers, property companies, investment funds, and high-net-worth individuals. The team has a wealth of experience across the build-to-rent, co-living, and elderly care sectors, and Daniel Farrand has extensive knowledge of the private rented sector and student housing. The firm noted an increase in activity in the life sciences and the energy sector, handling projects related to onshore and offshore wind, green energy, and solar farms. The team manages a range of contentious matters; Tom Barton leads matters concerning public inquiries, such as planning enforcement and compulsory purchase matters.
Practice head(s):
Anita Rivera
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Farrand; Tom Barton; Roisin Hogan; Martyn Hanmore
Testimonials
‘The service is Rolls Royce from start to finish. The team fight passionately for their clients and obtains incredible results. I have never worked with a firm who have so demonstrably placed their clients’ interests at the forefront of their minds. The quality of legal drafting, analysis and representation is exceptional.’
‘Tom Barton, a managing associate, is one of the finest planning solicitors in the UK. He invests everything in his cases and is well-liked by both his clients and counsel he instructs. He’s hugely thoughtful and has very good judgment, and the quality of his written work is always high.’
‘Anita Rivera and Daniel Farrand are two brilliant planning partners who bring a huge wealth of experience and knowledge to the support of their clients. They are a complete pleasure to work with.’
‘Unlike some of the big city firms, Mischons have strength across the whole of planning law, including areas such as enforcement and planning prosecutions.’
‘Daniel Farrand is tenacious, with an excellent understanding of the intricacies of enforcement law, and always has an eye on the bigger picture.’
‘Anita Rivera has a good oversight of projects.’
‘Martyn Hanmore has a real eye for detail and is prepared to get into the nitty gritty of the legislation and case-law.’
‘Good negotiating skills.’
Key clients
Stratford Village Property Holdings 1 Limited and Stratford Village Property Holdings 2 Limited
Nammos Restaurant London Limited
Ealing Studios Operations Limited
74 Long Lane
Leslie Jones
Notting Hill Genesis
Forge Life Sciences
Bridge UK Properties
London Residential Houses Limited
Higgins Homes PLC
Brookfield Properties
334 Ramsbury Oxford Limited
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Ocado Retail Limited
Pisach WII Limited
Healey Development Solutions (Dulwich) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a client on the redevelopment of Ealing Studios, the oldest continuously working studio facility for film production in the world.
- Advised Forge Life Sciences on all real estate and planning matters relating to a joint venture for a major life science campus in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
- Acting for Brookfield in a full range of planning matters in relation to a number of UK deals.
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
The planning group at Winckworth Sherwood LLP has an in-depth understanding of the residential development sector. The group advises on complex, residential led mixed-use projects, which is a particular area of expertise for Lindsay Garratt. The group focuses on residential development in London, with key clients including Barratt London and other significant social housing providers. Practice head Colette McCormack supports key clients such as the London Borough of Wandsworth and is leading on significant estate regeneration schemes in London, with support from senior associate Matt Steinbrecher. The team also noted an increase in instructions regarding CIL matters.
Practice head(s):
Colette McCormack
Other key lawyers:
Lindsay Garratt; Tim Fogarty; Matt Steinbrecher; Alex Woolcott
Testimonials
‘Approachable, responsive, excellent interpersonal skills, great to worth with.’
‘The Winckworth Sherwood planning team, led by partner Colette McCormack, are clear leaders in the field of planning law. As planning law/policy becomes ever more complex, they are always ahead of the curve.’
‘It is not just the team’s expert planning knowledge, but their understanding of the development industry and the political context of planning law at local and community level, as well as the need to deliver, that sets them apart.’
‘Colette and her team deal with highly complex planning issues and you can always rely on them to lead the project forward.’
‘They always work with local councils to find the right solution in very complex legal planning areas, such as the CIL Regs, the regeneration and delivery issues in VNEB, and the complex legal issues around estate regeneration.’
‘The team is led by planning partner Colette McCormack and she is assisted by senior associate Matt Steinbrecher. They are proactive and very solutions driven. They are team players and work closely with the officers advising on highly complex planning and development issues.’
‘Colette McCormack and her team have the commerciality required in the development process to enable them to think outside of the box to find the right solution. We can always rely on Colette to lead projects and provide clear advise to allow the planning process and delivery to continue.’
‘Colette McCormack and Matt Steinbrecher are always committed to delivering the right solution to their projects.’
Key clients
Barratt London
St George
Keystone & Partners
Weston Homes
The London Borough of Wandsworth
Notting Hill Genesis
A2Dominion Homes Limited
Barking Riverside
Bellway Homes Limited
Reside Developments Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Barratt London on planning, section 106, and CIL matters for the final phase of the redevelopment of Springfield Hospital, Wandsworth for up to 449 new homes.
- Advising Keystone & Partners on a proposed joint venture redevelopment of Thameside West alongside GLA Land and Property Limited, including 5,000 new homes, flexible employment, and industrial uses.
- Advising Weston Homes PLC on planning, section 106, CIL, and judicial review on the extensive redevelopment of a 10-acre Tesco site adjacent to Goodmayes Railway Station for 1,280 homes, commercial and community use provision, and a 3FE primary school.
Davitt Jones Bould
The highly experienced planning team at Davitt Jones Bould is led by Madeleine Davitt, who handles significant planning projects. Yohanna Weber has demonstrable expertise handling DCOs and Transport and Works Act and compulsory purchase orders, with a particular strength in urban regeneration projects and the promotion of NSIPs. Bringing his experience advising both local authorities and private clients, John Qualtrough advises on CIL matters and handles judicial reviews and statutory challenges. The practice advises on landmarks across the country and Nigel Hewitson is an expert in listed buildings. With public-sector experience, Stephanie Hall acts in CPO-related matters, highway mandates, and local government law issues.
Practice head(s):
Peter Allinson; Madeleine Davitt
Other key lawyers:
Yohanna Weber; John Qualtrough; Nigel Hewitson; Stephanie Hall
Testimonials
‘The whole team, from business managers to lawyers, is highly responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’
‘Stephanie Hall is clearly a real expert in the field of planning 106 agreements. She is practical, commercially minded, approachable and clear in her advice.’
‘It has been a pleasure working with Stephanie Hall, who is knowledgeable, very responsive, and highly competent.’
‘DJB is very much focused on building strong relationship with clients and keeping them fully informed of how matters are progressing. It specialises in and understands how local government works and consistently performs to a very high standard, handling work efficiently and always meeting client timescales. I would have no hesitation in recommending DJB as a legal practice or its planning team.’
‘Stephanie Hall is excellent, dealing with a wide range of planning matters, providing practicable and clear and easy to understand advice and always delivers on time. She is calm and efficient, and is an excellent communicator.’
‘Stephanie Hall works exceedingly well with planning officers and the wider team. Stephanie is approachable and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
The Royal Parks
Surrey County Council
Woking Borough Council
Brighton and Hove City Council
Habitat for Humanity
Office for National Statistics
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Runnymede Borough Council
North Somerset Council
Wiltshire Council
UK Health Security Agency
National Highways
Natural England
Exeter Science Park
Department of Health and Social Care
Farrer & Co
Farrer & Co’s planning team has an ‘excellent commercial understanding of the market’ and a strong background in urban development and community projects. The team is led by Karen Phull, who is praised by clients for her ‘clear, pragmatic and helpful advice’. The firm has also been building on its environmental expertise, with Claire Sheppard taking a leading role in this area.
Practice head(s):
Karen Phull
Other key lawyers:
Claire Sheppard; Anthony McNamee; James Davies
Testimonials
‘The Farrer & Co Planning team, led by Karen Phull, is quick on its feet and provides timely, practical advice. Farrer & Co is outstanding in dealing with property issues and that has been my family’s experience over many years.’
‘The ability to understand what is important in a given set of circumstances is critical. Having the knowledge and experience of the day-to-day operations of local authorities in planning matters is key. Having these attributes, Karen Phull continues to be enormously helpful.’
‘Farrers’ long-established history and reputation in the planning property and landed estate management industry is wholly well deserved and unique.’
‘The breadth of experience, quality of legal advice and client care is exemplary. Karen Phull is a go-to for planning and property advice, including the financial implications of improving land value through planning.’
‘I was impressed by the quality and detail of Karen Phull’s instructions in a specialist area and her responsiveness to requests for further information; her ability to locate and access historic documents within a short period of time was a testament to her investigatory abilities.’
‘Overall, I have had an excellent experience of dealing with the real estate team at Farrer & Co. The team work well together across a number of disciplines and have an excellent commercial understanding of the market.’
‘Karen Phull provides excellent advice on town planning legal matters and is my go-to expert in this field.’
‘Karen Phull provides clear, pragmatic and helpful advice.’
Key clients
The British Library
Shinfield Studios Limited
Graven Hill Purchaser Ltd
Porcelanosa UK Limited
Duchy of Cornwall
Agenda S1 Limited
Burghley House Preservation Trust
Paul Saggers Associates Limited
Welbeck Estates
Pelham Street Residents Association
Pelham Residents Association
Onslow Neighbourhood Association
Work highlights
- Advising the British Library on the St Pancras development, which involves the disposal of the 2.8 acre St Pancras development site for commercial investment and the construction of gallery facilities and a public realm for The British Library.
- Advising Shinfield Studios Limited on a transaction with The University of Reading for the construction of a major film studios complex in Shinfield, Berkshire.
- Acted for a US-based investor on entry into a conditional agreement for the acquisition of a former MOD site in Bicester.
Forsters LLP
Forsters LLP’s ‘strong planning team’ advises clients on large-scale urban development and regeneration projects. Practice head Victoria Du Croz leads the team in carving out an area of expertise advising film studios, including Warner Bros. The firm has also seen an increase of work within the residential sector, in particular the living and retirement care arenas. Matthew Evans offers advice to clients across the commercial, retail, and hotel industries, from developers to local planning authorities.
Practice head(s):
Victoria Du Croz
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Evans; Alice Gordon-Finlayson; Georgina Reeves; Sophie Smith; Ella Jones
Testimonials
‘The team is collaborative, approachable, gives advice in plain English to ensure clients understand, and takes a pragmatic approach.’
‘Always sound knowledge on up-to-date legislation and thinking on the front foot.’
‘Always offer a personable service and happy to discuss anything in detail.’
‘You receive a service where thought has been given to your client’s need. A strong planning team with a wide range of knowledge and specialism that is keen to find solutions for planning issues.’
‘Matthew Evans responds to queries quickly and with clarity and goes beyond the requests of client’s needs.’
‘The planning team takes a robust yet pragmatic approach to legal matters. A pleasure to deal with them.’
‘Victoria Du Croz and Alice Gordon-Finlayson continually strive to do the best for the client.’
Key clients
Knight Dragon
Mount Anvil and Newlon Housing Trust joint venture
Warner Bros.
British Airways Pension Fund
HG Construction Group
Danescroft (PCDF IV Swindon) LLP
Peel Logistics Partnerships Limited
Notting Hill Genesis
Consolidated Developments
Montgomery’s Wharf LLP
Aitch Group
Citystyle Fairview VQ LLP
British Airways Pension Fund
London George Unit Trust
Hondo Enterprises Ltd.
McDonald’s Restaurants Limited
Work highlights
- Assisted Knight Dragon with securing planning permission for a new masterplan regarding an additional 1,750 new homes with 50% provided as affordable housing.
- Advising the Mount Anvil and Newlon Housing Trust joint venture on all planning matters relating to the extensive estate regeneration of the Barnsbury Estate in Islington.
- Advised Warner Bros on securing planning permission for the significant expansion of their film studios at Leavesden.
Howard Kennedy LLP
Howard Kennedy LLP's planning team, led by the ‘astute and hard-working' Jade Chalmers, advises on a full range of contentious and non-contentious planning matters in the commercial, mixed-use, housing, retail, and hotel sectors. The group assists a number of property developers and provides specialist advice on CIL regulations. In 2022, the team experienced increased activity in the private rented sector and a growing need for student accommodation and retirement space. Renewable energy projects and affordable housing are also growth areas for the team.
Practice head(s):
Jade Chalmers
Other key lawyers:
Bob Sadler; Caitlin Spence
Testimonials
‘A very good planning team under the headship of Jade Chalmers. Excellent and clearly close relationship between a property private client base and the planning division, therefore offering a multi-disciplinary approach. The planning team has grown under Jade Chalmers and is a young, hardworking outfit.’
‘Jade Chalmers heads up the planning team. She is brilliant with clients, astute and hard-working. An absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘A great team who are great collaborators. It is always at the forefront of the most interesting cases, highly responsive and dilligent in what it does. It is led by a true leader in Jade Chalmers, with a great crop of talent alongside her.’
‘Jade Chalmers is just an absolute star. She is always great with handling clients, ensuring that cases are managed well, and only the best arguments pursued.’
‘The entire team was involved at each stage, including the head of planning and partners down to juniors and trainees.’
‘Friendly and a pleasure to work with. In particular, Jade Chalmers and Caitlin Spence were just a joy to work with, extremely knowledgeable and always on hand to assist.’
‘We have always found the level of research and understanding of the complex planning system and legal complexity to be up there with the best. A recent complex agreement has involved the team in extensive dissection of a complex masterplan arrangement. It was reassuring to know that we had our backs covered on this.’
‘Jade Chalmers leads on the planning support for our business and has demonstrated on many occasions her in-depth knowledge of the complex planning system that we operate. She leads a team that is tenacious in its review of documents yet clear in its reporting and advice, something that is critical to enable quick decisions to be made.’
Key clients
Fairview Hotels (Ipswich) Limited
Leos UK Holdings Limited
Atlantic Green UK Limited
Work highlights
- Represented Fairview Hotels (Ipswich) Limited in the landmark case handed down by Mr Justice Holgate concerning accommodating asylum seekers in hotels, successfully arguing that the injunctive proceedings put in place to prohibit any asylum seekers staying at the hotel were not justified.
- Represented Leos UK Holdings Limited in a public inquiry appealing the refusal of planning permission to provide a 29-storey building for 121 residential units and flexible commercial space by the London Borough of Croydon Council.
- Advised Nofar and Interland on the ‘Cellarhead’ project, Nofar’s entry into the UK renewable energy market, and the UK’s largest planned battery energy storage project, which has an estimated construction cost of £214m and will provide storage capacity of approximately 700 MWh.
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell advises clients across the country on both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. The team has expertise in environmental issues, including contaminated land and the regeneration of brownfield sites. Nicola Gooch is the lead partner for the South, handling large-scale, mixed-use developments and advising a number of developers. Sejal Patel was promoted to senior associate in May 2022, and has led on some of the team’s largest development projects. Practice head Claire Petricca-Riding is based in Manchester.
Practice head(s):
Claire Petricca-Riding
Other key lawyers:
Nicola Gooch; Pamela Chesterman; James Pavey; Sajel Pate
Testimonials
‘Excellent service, with their highest calibre planning lawyers carefully and simply describing all the key information to us.’
‘Their ability to carefully and simply describe all the key information to us.’
Key clients
Millwall Football Club
Artisan Saltaire Limited
Chase New Homes Limited
Chesterfield House Management Limited
Whitley Parish Council
Wilter Associates Limited
Berkeley Homes
Jaspar Group
EC1 Residences Limited
Soho Estates
Work highlights
- Advised Millwall Football Club on their application for a brand new, state of the art, football academy and training ground in West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks.
- Advised Chase New Homes on the first residential permission granted directly by the Planning Inspectorate under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, after Uttlesford District Council was placed in special measures due to an unacceptable number of major planning decisions being overturned at appeal.
- Advising Soho Estates on residual post-development issues involving their flagship development at Ilona Rose House.
K&L Gates LLP
The ‘incredibly efficient and focused’ planning team at K&L Gates LLP acts on both sides of development matters, working across a range of sectors for both public and private clients. The team handles regeneration and infrastructure projects, urban redevelopment, and strategic planning, as well as some cross-border transactional work. Practice head Feroze Abbas ‘provides consistently strong advice’ and has developed expertise in niche areas of the planning sphere, including vires and transactional structuring. ‘Diligent’ and ‘knowledgeable’ senior associate Rebecca Daniels plays an active role in the majority of the team’s planning projects.
Practice head(s):
Feroze Abbas
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Daniels
Testimonials
‘The team have expert skills in all aspect of planning law. As a local authority client, the most value of the K&L Gates team is the confidence it distils in advocating on our behalf, especially in high-value and complex cases. The team have advanced the skills of the wider time and ensured we remained equipped with latest case law and legislative developments.’
‘Feroze Abbas, Rebecca Daniels, and the team have always stood out as fantastic lawyers, but are also able to engage with a variety of partners and stakeholders – from developers to local councillors. They have excellent sector knowledge and are highly respected. They go the extra mile to ensure they understand the position prior to entering negotiations and have been intimately involved in developing new and bold ways of securing additional value. They are strong advocates.’
‘The people in the K&L Gates team are the best of the best.’
‘K&L Gates always provide insightful, excellent advice which is easily digestible and go above and beyond to help explain to junior members of the client team when needed. They are renowned for being personable and enjoyable to work with, but robust in defence and all advice given.’
‘Feroze Abbas is exceptionally personable and will make himself available to help.’
‘Rebecca Daniels is extremely through, whilst also very friendly and approachable, which helps to mark her out from other firms.’
‘The team is incredibly efficient and focused, providing robust and well-constructed advice to the client.’
‘Feroze Abbas provides consistently strong advice and exceptional client care.’
Key clients
Avanton
Coty Inc
Elysian Residences
London Borough of Hounslow
London Borough of Bromley
London Newcastle
LRC Group
Nuveen Real Estate
Patrizia AG
Stroud District Council
Workspace Group PLC
Work highlights
- Advising the London Borough of Hounslow on all aspects of planning, including negotiation of section 106 agreements on multiple development sites.
- Advising Workspace Group PLC on the re-development of the Chocolate Factory in Wood Green, now part of an area wide regeneration scheme.
- Continuing to advise Avanton on its strategic Old Kent Road project, as well as Avanton’s new Culvert Close, London development which is currently in planning.
Lewis Silkin
For the planning department at Lewis Silkin, new areas of growth include media and entertainment, as well as ESG-related matters. The planning team has also been active in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors, as well as conducting due diligence for corporate freehold or leasehold acquisitions and sales. Practice head Sara Hanrahan is highly recommended, with over 20 years’ experience in the planning sector and specialising in redevelopment and urban regeneration projects.
Practice head(s):
Sara Hanrahan
Testimonials
‘The quality I appreciate most is the fact that I am listened to, and they do attempt to find the legal legs. If they can’t find them, then there is a confirmation as to what they understand by my words, so that we come to a common understanding.’
‘Sara Hanrahan is a very strong planning lawyer with a vast range of experiences to call upon.’
‘In Sara Hanrahan, Lewis Silkin LLP has a partner with an excellent feel for the bones of a case.’
‘Sara Hanrahan of Lewis Silkin is highly recommended and our experience concurs with this recommendation.’
‘There is strong team work and a belief that everyone can contribute.’
‘Sara Hanrahan is very approachable; she is willing to discuss, amend where necessary, agree consensual approach and go the extra mile.’
‘Responsive, engaging, and very competent.’
‘I have received a first-class service from the knowledgeable partners and associates, covering all aspects of commercial property and highways issues.’
Key clients
Howdens
Pizza Express
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
London Legacy Development Corporation
Camden Borough Council
Southern Water
Jones Knowles Richie Ltd
The Arc Collection
Withers LLP
The Liliesleaf Trust UK
Norton Rose Fulbright
With its ‘extraordinary bank of legal knowledge and powerhouse lawyers’, the planning team at Norton Rose Fulbright offers advice on a wide range of matters. The firm has a particular focus on London-based redevelopment and compulsory purchases, but it is also experienced in mixed-use schemes and constrained or brownfield development projects. The team also handles contentious matters, and has an active enforcement practice. Practice head Sarah Fitzpatrick has developed the team since her arrival at the firm in 2020, with ‘top tier judgment born of long experience in the field’, and she is supported by ‘standout’ associate Carina Wentzel.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Fitzpatrick
Other key lawyers:
Carina Wentzel
Testimonials
‘Undoubtedly one of the best City law firms for planning.’
‘Has that rare combination of humanity and ultra efficiency. An extraordinary bank of legal knowledge and powerhouse lawyers who work incredibly hard to get the best possible result and are always a genuine pleasure to deal with.’
‘Partner Sarah Fitzpatrick has top-tier judgment born of long experience in the field. She is able to provide advice at the drop of a hat and also to marshall evidence from an impressive team of experts when necessary.’
‘Standout junior Carina Wentzel is one of the best planning associates. She is a joy to work with adored by client and barrister alike. Her capacity for hard work is matched only by her endless enthusiasm.’
‘The practice was unique in having experts in a very specific area of discretionary purchase and were able to pull together the various aspects of that expertise within the organisation.’
‘Carina Wentzel was my point of contact, and she was extremely diligent and both knowledgeable and professional.’
Key clients
Setha Canterbury Limited
Bellaview Properties Limited
Hampstead Asset Management Limited
Ocubis Limited
ATS Euromaster Limited
ABC International Bank plc
DB Cargo (UK) Limited
DB Cargo International Limited
AIG Asset Management
Arcabas Limited
Berliet Limited
Hotchkiss Limited
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Centurion Corporation Limited
Linea Homes Group
St George City Ltd
Dome Assets Limited
Greenergy International Limited
Haitong Bank S.A.
Civitas Social Housing PLC
Industrial Commercial Bank of China
National Westminster Bank PLC
Prime London Ventures Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
VMM Limited
Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd
PPR Estates
Builder Depot Ltd
Kenmin (HP) Limited
Residential Land
Aedifica Limited
Samson Capital Southern Limited
Bellway Homes Limited
Funding Affordable Homes Housing Association Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Berliet Limited on the redevelopment of four linked sites to provide a residential led scheme of 550 residential units.
- Advising DB Cargo (UK) Limited and DB Cargo International Limited on multiple high-value compulsory purchase compensation claims concerning HS2 and a highway DCO, as well as opposing a CPO being promoted by the Environment Agency.
- Advised Setha Canterbury Limited on a complex town centre redevelopment in Canterbury, with significant heritage, ecclesiastical, and nutrient neutrality aspects.
Osborne Clarke LLP
The planning group at Osborne Clarke LLP, led by John Baird, offers advice on mixed-use development and large-scale homebuilding schemes. The practice handles a range of contentious matters, with associate Anna Sidebottom promoting and defending judicial review applications. Logistics is another area of recent activity; associate Katherine Chambers focuses on urban logistics schemes in particular. Senior associate Ben Naish negotiates planning and infrastructure agreements for large residential schemes. Anna Fouracre left the firm in July 2023.
Practice head(s):
John Baird
Other key lawyers:
Ben Naish; Katherine Chambers; Anna Sidebottom
Testimonials
‘Good knowledge of the sector and the problems facing house-builder and developer clients; therefore able to come up with pragmatic solutions.’
‘John Baird is good with clients, has excellent sector knowledge, and great depth of commercial and practical experience.’
‘Anna Sidebottom is good on technical detail and good with clients.’
Key clients
GLP
Welbeck Strategic Land
BDW
Taylor Wimpey
Henry Boot Developments
Gleeson Land
KSP
Patrizia
Marchmont
Vistry
St Modwen
British Land
Lifestory Group
Ghelamco
Long Ashton Land Limited
John Lewis Pension Fund
Packaged Living
Work highlights
- Advised Welbeck Strategic Land on an outline planning consent for 2,200 homes to be built in a major new urban extension in South Worcester.
- Advised GLP on logistics developments across the country.
- Advised Henry Boot Developments Limited and Enfield Borough Council on delivering a major logistics regeneration project across the 27-acre Montagu Industrial Estate in Enfield, North London.
Sharpe Pritchard LLP
The planning team at Sharpe Pritchard LLP is led by planning and licensing specialist Bernadette Hillman, who has over 30 years’ experience in this area. The firm handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and offers advice on regeneration, transformation, and infrastructure projects. It is regularly sought out by local and public authorities to bring and defend challenges. Contentious planning is the remit of ‘class act’ senior associate Andrew Swaffer.
Practice head(s):
Bernadette Hillman
Other key lawyers:
Alistair Lewis; Emry Thomas; Andrew Swaffer; Emily Knowles
Testimonials
‘Huge experience.’
‘Andrew Swaffer has great care and devotion to detail.’
‘The market leader for public sector and parliamentary work.’
‘Andrew Swaffer is super efficient and well-liked by clients.’
‘Bernadette Hillman is quick to respond, clear on timescales to advise, and meets those timescales.’
‘In-depth knowledge, particularly of how local government works, as well as the confidence of the sector through many years hands-on experience.’
‘Andrew Swaffer is a class act who should get greater credit and profiling.’
Key clients
London Borough of Lambeth
London Borough of Redbridge
Guildford Borough Council
Countryside Properties
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
London Borough of Merton
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Portsmouth Water
Peterborough City Council
Worthing Borough Council
Waverley Borough Council
London Borough of Redbridge
Baz UK Limited
Buckinghamshire Council
Thanet District Council
London Borough of Southwark
Mr Alan Pearce
Work highlights
- Act for Lambeth Council in relation to their planning and highway work on a number of significant matters.
- Acting for Guildford District in several large projects, including the Weyside Urban Village, Debenhams redevelopment and two successful judicial reviews.
- Advising Portsmouth Water on planning and CPO matters associated with the first new reservoir to be built in the South East since the 1970s.
Taylor Wessing LLP
At Taylor Wessing LLP, the planning team sits within the real estate, infrastructure, and energy department. The group has a strong background in the hotel, hospitality and leisure sectors, as well as the luxury living, build-to-rent, and private rented sectors. Alistair Watson leads the planning team with 28 years’ experience advising on significant projects concerning stadia, airports, and real estate developments. Promoted to partner in 2022, Emma Tait continues to bolster the team’s involvement in urban regeneration projects.
Practice head(s):
Alistair Watson
Other key lawyers:
Emma Tait
Testimonials
‘This team genuinely understands the client and its needs.’
‘A personal touch and clear desire to see important tasks through to completion.’
Key clients
Cain International
S. A. Damm
BentallGreenOak
R&F Properties
Comer Homes
Atenor
Brentford FC
Southampton FC
AFC Bournemouth
Bleeding Heart Restaurant Group
McLaren Property
The Westbury Hotel Limited
Fortress
Tritax
Canada Life
Work highlights
- Advising Estrella Damm on it’s acquisition of Eagle Brewery from Carlsberg and on the long-running project to expand the brewery and make it more sustainable.
- Advised BentallGreenOak’s on the planning and highways agreements to facilitate the development of a logistics pipeline and advised on planning matters relating to the acquisition and financing of its portfolio.
- Advising the Comer Homes Group on all of its development sites across London and the South East, including major schemes in the London Borough of Barnet and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP has a strong public and private sector focus, advising private developers, local authorities, and registered providers. Specialist planning and CPO lawyer Jacqueline Backhaus leads the team, with over 25 years’ experience advising both public and private sector clients. Rob Walker has a wealth of experience in complex regeneration schemes, a key focus area for the team. Another growth area for the group is ‘build-to-rent’ schemes and the department has specialist knowledge in other developing areas of the residential sector.
Practice head(s):
Jacqueline Backhaus
Other key lawyers:
Rob Walker; Tim Brown; Halah Al-Zamel; Jasmine Ratta; Lucy James; Michael Rhode
Testimonials
‘Trowers & Hamlins have a specialist planning and compulsory purchase team who have provided strong pragmatic and strategic advice to find a way through a variety of complexities. The team can navigate complex technical evidence to ensure the legal advice is very solid and any risks involved are understood.’
‘Jacqueline Backhaus leads an excellent team and is on hand at all times to assist with any queries. Jacqueline is able to articulate issues well and understand their impact on the development. She attends all project meetings and is available to offer clear recommendations to help achieve commercial outcomes.
‘Rob Walker is fantastic and plays a strategic role in regeneration projects. He listens and understands where we are coming from. He is very collaborative in his approach, and we have a good working relationship.’
‘Jasmine Ratta is easy to work with, highly intelligent, and her strategic thinking is crucial to the project.’
‘The Trowers & Hamlins team are responsive to a range of complex issues. It is always able to provide expert advice and to access further external advice if needed.’
‘Jacqueline Backhaus is an authoritative voice on complex planning issues.’
‘Trowers & Hamlins have a specialist planning and environment team who have provided innovative and tactical advice to resolve complex and challenging issues. Trowers have been faultless at fostering good working relationships with our staff. The team are proactive in coming forward with practical solutions and the advice is clear and comprehensive.’
‘Rob Walker at Trowers & Hamlins is always available when required and provides comprehensive and concise advice. He is very knowledgeable, is never flummoxed by any request, and provides pragmatic solutions when problems arise.’
Key clients
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
London Borough of Enfield
Cheltenham Borough Council
Tewkesbury Borough Council
Gravesham Borough Council
Norwich City Council
Clarion Housing Group
Hyde Housing Association Limited
Museum of London
Stevenage Borough Council
Epping Forest District Council
Graven Hill Developments
Watkin Jones Group PLC
Coromandel
Grosvenor Estates
Richmond Housing Partnerships
Ellison Oxford Limited
Catalyst Housing Group
Work highlights
- Advising Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council on a complete outsource planning legal function.
- Acting for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in a claim for breach of planning law and seeking injunctive relief against an individual landowner.
- Acted for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in defending a judicial review claim against the grant of retrospective planning permission for a swimming pool enclosure.
A&O Shearman
The planning group at A&O Shearman, led by Christopher Woolf, has demonstrable knowledge of European planning matters, which sees the practice assisting on Europe-wide transactions and advising foreign investors, financial institutions, and private equity firms. The firm provides traditional planning advice, as well as support with growing areas, including data centre development. Robert Share, promoted to counsel in May 2023, is an experienced planning lawyer with three main areas of focus: real estate investment and development; real estate finance; and energy and infrastructure.
Practice head(s):
Christopher Woolf
Other key lawyers:
Nick Saner; Robert Share
Testimonials
‘A commercial and considered approach to planning challenges.’
‘Robert Share has a good command of planning issues and great attention to detail.’
‘Robert Share brings long experience of planning and property matters. He is very sound and clear as a solicitor, qualities which he brings to his advisory work with clients. He is very good at communicating client’s needs and discussing them in the legal context.’
‘Robert Share is a good person to work with and very thoughtful, both legally and in terms of his soft skills.’
‘They offer an excellent and comprehensive service in respect of planning matters.’
‘We have worked with Robert Share and have found him to give excellent advice and to be a good team player within a multi-disciplinary team.’
Key clients
Uniper
Westbrook
Blackstone
C C Land
China Vanke
Kennedy Wilson
Mapletree
Orion Capital Managers
Oxford Properties
Asserson Law Offices
Daniel Drukarz leads the planning team at boutique firm Asserson Law Offices, and is adept at handling complex developments and regeneration schemes. The practice has a focus on private sector planning work, specialising in private infrastructure, and has recently taken on a new energy infrastructure project instruction. Senior associate James Kon manages planning appeals and applications, with demonstrable experience in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Drukarz
Other key lawyers:
James Kon
Testimonials
‘Assersons has a small but very well-focused team of planning lawyers. They are knowledgeable and experienced in the constantly changing minutiae of planning law. They are also good team players and know whom to bring in when a case needs a broader set of expertise in order to be taken forward to a satisfactory conclusion.’
‘Daniel Drukarz is a very seasoned planning and property law professional with decades of valuable experience behind him. He knows his way around the planning world and gives his clients excellent service.
‘James Kon is Daniel Drukarz’s trusty lieutenant. He is very hardworking and conscientious and throws his all into a preparation for a case.’
‘Asserson has a very boutique planning practice, which means that they are completely focussed on each and every client. Whilst small, Asserson has a very experienced team that really does go the extra mile.’
‘Daniel Drukarz is a very able planning solicitor who has worked for a number of much larger planning practices and brought his experience to Asserson, where he delivers a first-class service to his clients.’
‘Danny Drukarz has seen it all and done it all, and is one of the sagest planning solicitors out there and a lovely guy!’
‘James Kon is a great lawyer with searing intellect.’
‘Danny Drukarz is a strategist second-to-none in the business. James Kon has a phenomenal ability to master detail.’
Key clients
Recharge One Limited
Basildon Estates Limited
Old Kent Road Regeneration Limited
City and Docklands Property Group
Ilford (Jersey) Limited
Createfuture Limited
Albany Homes Limited
Shaviram Aldershot Limited
P Win Solihull Limited
Stadium Capital Holdings Limited
VFund Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Recharge One in the South Downs National Park on a successful appeal for an innovative sustainable development providing off-grid EV charging at scale and carbon-neutral lodging.
- Advised Basildon Estates Limited on a successful appeal to regenerate the town centre and provide 500 residential units.
- Acting for Winston Group in an application for the tallest building in Solihull Town Centre.
Bevan Brittan LLP
The planning team at Bevan Brittan LLP is the lead advisor to NHS Property Services, acting on NHS regeneration projects across London. Practice head Dalee Kaur has a wealth of experience in all areas of planning law and offers advice on infrastructure-related development. The practice advises a significant number of London Boroughs and local authorities on regeneration and development schemes, and the team also has experience in CPO work; Kathryn Lawrance deals with compulsory purchase processes for regeneration projects.
Practice head(s):
Dalee Kaur
Other key lawyers:
Kathryn Lawrence; Matthew Tucker
Testimonials
‘When I have appointed this firm, I feel very confident with the quality of staff, and I am impressed that the partners are always on hand and take a personal interest in every case.’
‘Dalee Kaur in the planning team has exceptional knowledge, not only on the legal side, but also of the full town planning process.’
‘Dalee Jaur holds authorities to account and does not relent on securing the best for her client. She is straight forward in her advice.’
‘The team is well-regarded in the planning field, including being particularly involved in complex planning litigation.’
‘Dalee Kaur is a standout partner. She is approachable, easy to work with, and is strongly focused on providing commercial, practical advice.’
‘Dalee Kaur gives excellent advice, is commercial in her outlook, straight-forward, and to the point’.
Key clients
South Lakeland District Council
Barts Health NHS Trust
Royal Holloway University of London
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Anthology (Kennington Stage) Limited
NHS Property Services Limited
London Borough of Hillingdon
Work highlights
- Acting for Barts Health NHS Trust on all planning matters relating to the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital, an 18 hectare site on the edge of Epping Forest, as part of the government’s flagship new hospital building programme.
- Assisting NHS Property Services Limited with objecting to a compulsory purchase order where the process of negotiated acquisition has not been proactively progressed, and the comprehensive redevelopment of the land, including NHSPS’s interest, has not been fully and properly considered by the acquiring authority.
- Advising the London Borough of Hillingdon on two parallel compulsory purchase schemes for Hayes Town Centre and for land at Avondale Road, which will result in the delivery of more than 750 high-quality residential units and associated economic and social benefits.
Blake Morgan LLP
Blake Morgan LLP handles the full spectrum of planning and environmental matters. The planning team is regularly involved in residential-led schemes, and marine planning work is a particular area of growth for the group. Practice head Amardip Healy boasts public sector experience and over 30 years’ experience as a solicitor, specialising in all aspects of planning and highways. Keith Lancaster left the firm in June 2022.
Practice head(s):
Amardip Healy
Other key lawyers:
Victoria Charlesson
Testimonials
‘My go-to planner at Blake Morgan is Amardip Healy, former chair of the Local Government Lawyers’ Association. She has unique insight into both the public and private sector workings of the planning system, drawing on her a wealth of experience on both sides of the fence.’
‘Amardip Healy has a sure sense of the commercial realities of a case. Her client care skills are unparalleled, and she has a refreshingly calm and unflappable approach to even the most complex cases.’
Fladgate LLP
Fladgate LLP’s boasts a ‘strong', full-service planning offering and provides clients with advice on development proposals, site assembly, and planning applications. The team has experience handling matters involving listed buildings, and light and environmental issues. Practice head Mark Harnett provides ‘very clear and considered strategic advice' to developers and property investors, as well as clients in the hotel and leisure sectors. Senior associate Miles Crawford has particular experience in permitted development.
Practice head(s):
Mark Harnett
Other key lawyers:
Miles Crawford
Testimonials
‘Fladgate LLP is a high-quality firm with excellent individuals at all levels.’
‘Fladgate LLP has an outstanding reputation in the planning sphere.’
‘Mark Harnett is a brilliant solicitor; he is measured and sensible at all times, and highly effective at cutting directly to the key issues in any case. He has a good sense of overall objectives.’
‘A very strong team.’
‘Mark Harnett provides very clear and considered strategic advice.’
‘Mark Harnett is unflappable; he approaches any difficulty calmly and carefully.’
Key clients
Hodson Developments Limited
4C Hotels
BYM Capital
De Vere Partners
Noe Group
London Wall
Music Walk of Fame Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Hodson Developments on a substantial residential development at Chilmington Green, Ashford.
- Advising a client on the planning aspects of a redevelopment in Aldgate to provide a new office building with 18,537 sq. m. retail space, and the change of use of existing offices to a hotel, a new restaurant, and a new residential building, providing 87 flats.
- Advised BYM Group on a number of development projects over the past year, including a project in the Treaty Centre in Hounslow and a planning application for a former Xerox site in Uxbridge.
Freeths LLP
The planning team at Freeths LLP regularly advises clients on large-scale developments and infrastructure projects. The department has also developed specialist expertise in minerals planning, in addition to its experience with highway and public right of way issues. Practice head Robert Bruce ‘stands out’ for his ‘wealth of experience’ in planning matters and his ability to ‘think outside the box’.
Practice head(s):
Robert Bruce; Mark Harris; Paul Brailsford; Penny Simpson
Other key lawyers:
Jennifer Roe; Edward Peel; David Bowes
Testimonials
‘Knowledge and professionalism in the planning field are excellent. They have knowledge of local government planning law.’
‘One of the few legal practices that has a dedicated team of planners attached to the team. This gives Freeths an advantage over others because of the collaboration with their expert planning practitioners. It has the capability to provide the entire service in house.’
‘Robert Bruce is engaging and has a wealth of experience. He challenges clients and is realistic about their chances.’
‘Robert Bruce values other people’s opinions and is very respectful; he knows there is often more than one solution to a problem. His greatest attribute is to think outside the box and raise issues no one has even started to consider.’
‘The team has experience, expertise, and enthusiasm.’
‘Robert Bruce stands out. He thinks outside the box and always has the client’s aims in mind.’
‘The team is extremely capable and very supportive. It is viewed by staff as giving good advice and turning matters around quickly.’
‘Robert Bruce is very knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile.’
Key clients
Central Bedfordshire Council
City of Lincoln Council
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Aldi Stores Limited
Cumbria County Council
Runnymede Borough Council
Tarmac Trading Limited
Keystone Law
Keystone Law’s planning team provides a boutique service, covering a broad range of planning matters. The firm handles large projects for corporate clients, as well as Planning Court litigation, enforcement matters, and compulsory purchases. Ben Garbett and Yohanna Weber are noted for their expertise in permitted development rights and environmental law. Anna Fouracre joined the team from Osborne Clarke LLP in July 2023.
Other key lawyers:
Yohanna Weber; Ben Garbett; Anna Fouracre
Testimonials
‘Ben Garbett is always available and is creative with his approach to planning.’
‘Ben Garbett who is a first-class lawyer.’
‘A wide variety of practice areas under one roof, which facilitates multi-disciplinary crossovers.’
‘The expert planning knowledge of the planning solicitors at Keystone is very helpful.’
‘They have a grasp of not just the relevant law and practice but also what is the most appropriate strategy to assist the client, which is so often key in planning.’
‘Ben Garbett is excellent. I work with him regularly and he is a pleasure to work with.’
‘Ben Garbett has a sharp legal mind and is always brilliant at finding the nub of a case in order to deliver for the client. I highly recommend him.’
‘Yohanna Weber is very experienced in private and public sector. Very bright. Very diligent.’
Key clients
Enfinium
Valley Ridge Holdings Ltd
The Trustees of Crossflatts Cricket Club
Blakesley Estates (Weymouth BQ) Ltd Ltd
Bembridge Harbour Trust
Macintosh Village (Management) Limited
Luxury Leisure Limited
Oyster Wharf Developments Limited
Mansion House Partnership
Organiclea CIC
Blakesley Estates (Kingsbridge) Ltd
Coventry Gliding CLub
Zero Carbon Farms Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising Blakesley Estates on various contentious matters relating to the development of a housing site in Kingsbridge.
- Advised Valley Ridge on its objection to the Viridor planning application.
- Advised Enfinium on the application for the Wheelabrator Kemsley Generating Station and Wheelabrator Kemsley North Waste to Energy Facility.
Maples Teesdale LLP
The ‘excellent’ and ‘very knowledgeable’ John Bosworth leads the planning team at Maples Teesdale LLP. The firm has experience advising on all aspects of the town and country planning system, assisting clients with the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters, from compulsory purchase and appropriation, to environmental matters, building regulations, and affordable housing mandates. Recently, the firm has also increased its focus on strategic land cases.
Practice head(s):
John Bosworth
Other key lawyers:
Robin Barnes
Testimonials
‘The advice given was legally sound and, most importantly, strategic and effective.’
‘John Bosworth is a very knowledgeable professional with experience that enables him to advise on how best to obtain the desired result with minimum fuss.’
‘John Bosworth is excellent, super responsive, and nothing is too much trouble. We always refer our planning queries to John as we know our clients are in safe hands.’
‘The planning team provides concise and effective advice at pace.’
‘John Bosworth is an exceptionally knowledgeable and practical planning specialist.’
Key clients
Dominus Group
Abrdn
University of London
Trenport Holdings
Aylesbury Vale Estates
Royal Sun Alliance
Lands Improvement Holdings
J Gliddon and Sons Ltd
Yoo Capital
Syngenta
Beaumont Hotel
Work highlights
- Advising Dominus Group on a £35.5m mixed use redevelopment at The Green in Southall, a 23 storey tower close to the new Elizabeth Line.
- Advising Trenport on its 950 dwelling development at Eccles in Kent, undertaking a legal review of the planning application, drafting the section 106 agreement, and advising on a non-determination appeal.
- Advising a private landowner on a successful judicial review of a decision of West Oxfordshire District Council to adopt a masterplan for land that included the client’s land.
Russell-Cooke LLP
The ‘diligent and experienced’ team at Russell-Cooke LLP, led by Alex Ground, handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious planning matters. The group has noted an increasing number of 100% custom-build and self-build schemes, and has taken on new clients in 2022, including Lok ‘N’ Store. The team has also grown, with the addition of Catherine Knight, who joined from Bradford City Council in March 2023. Benjamin Cochrane is praised as a ‘hardworking and very reliable’ associate. John Webster left the firm in October 2022.
Practice head(s):
Alex Ground
Other key lawyers:
Ben Cochrane
Testimonials
‘I have had an excellent experience working with members of the team at Russell Cooke. They deliver a first-class service to their clients and are a pleasure to work with as counsel.’
‘They are very diligent and experienced in all aspects of planning litigation. I would highly recommend them to any of my clients.’
‘Alex Ground is approachable, professional, knowledgeable, and a go-to solicitor for any difficulties in the planning arena.’
‘Attention to detail, prompt response to enquiries, sound knowledge of case law, and user-friendly advise for clients.’
‘Alex Ground has provided high-quality and consistent advice over the years we have been in contact.’
‘Alex Ground is wonderful to work with and has a calming, reassuring approach.’
‘Ben Cochrane is very hardworking and very reliable.’
Key clients
Vistry Partnerships
Countryside Properties Plc
Sirosa Properties Establishment
AG Bloom LML BV
Goldcrest Land
Triplerose Limited
Redcar Bulk Terminal Limited
Copperwood Developments Limited
Reichmann Properties plc
Nueva Limited
Newable
Viewranks Limited
Lok’n Store Group PLC
Quantum Land and Planning Limited
Gorillas Technologies UK Limited
Woodcock Holdings
Work highlights
- Acting for Triplerose Limited in an enforcement appeal to be determined following a public inquiry.
- Assisted AG Bloom with the planning side of its portfolio of six ultra-urban development properties located throughout London.
- Advised Viewranks Limited on the planning and Section 106 requirements for the redevelopment of the site as a co-living development scheme in Kingston Upon Thames.
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP’s planning team assists a range of national clients at each stage of the planning process. The practice handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, from regeneration and CPO schemes, to High Court challenges and enforcement cases. Particular sectors of strength for the group include residential, elderly housing, and care homes. Kathryn Jump and Lisa Tye are the joint national heads of the practice, and Matt Nixon joined the team as legal director in March 2023 from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. Karen Howard left the firm in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Kathryn Jump; Lisa Tye
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Stimson; Kayleigh Chapman
Testimonials
‘Versatile skills and distinctive style, very personable, and relaxed working relationships.’
‘Lisa Tye has brilliant client care skills and is a relationship builder; she brings a lightness in her style while carrying weight with her professional skills.’
‘They are a trusted partner of ours as we’ve worked alongside them for many years. As a result, you know what to expect from each other. This helps move transactions along without the need for constant management of people and the processes.’
Key clients
S & J Padfield and family
DPE Estates
Essex CC
Attic Self Storage Limited
Shearer Property Group
Telereal Trillium
GSE Group
Impact Developments (Sevenoaks) Limited
Storefast Solutions Limited
Hill Residential
Scott Properties
Countryside
Thurrock Council
Ackroyd & Abbot Limited
Vistry Partnerships London
Frontier Estates Limited
Perseus Land
Taylor Wimpey
Landtread
BDW Trading Limited
Stuart Mee and family
William Lacey Group
Vistry East Midlands
Carebase
London Borough of Hertsmere
Churchill Retirement Living
Jacuna Kitchens
Work highlights
- Acting for S & J Padfield on the redevelopment of two sites in Brentwood which been removed from the Green Belt as part of the recent Brentwood Local plan review process.
- Acting for Shearer Property Group in the Coventry scheme to transform Coventry City Centre through a mixed-use regeneration scheme, which is expected to deliver 1,300 homes, a hotel, a cinema, and restaurants, as well as co-working and community spaces.
- Advising the Hill Group on their planning application proposals for the regeneration of Ham Close, which will include 452 new homes, community facilities, and a range of public green spaces.
Slaughter and May
The planning department of Slaughter and May’s real estate practice handles a range of transactional work, from property acquisitions and disposals to HQ relocations. Led by Richard Keczkes, the planning group advises clients on both transactional and development work across various sectors. Jane Edwarde is head of real estate at the firm, assisting clients with all aspects of real estate, including planning.
Practice head(s):
Richard Keczkes; Jane Edwarde
Testimonials
‘Extremely accommodating and well-rounded team.’
‘The team has a unique ability to distil very complex transactions and issues into simple language, and, as a consequence, we have managed to complete a number of complex, high-value transactions without delay and difficulty.’
‘Knowledgeable delivery of valuable advice.’
‘Clear, concise advice with good explanation of implications.’
Key clients
Arsenal FC
Clifford Chance
The Clothworkers’ Company
Derwent London
Diageo
Elysian Residences
Equinix
Everton FC
Ferrovial
The Fishmongers’ Company
Halsbury Homes
IPI Partners LLC
John Lewis Partnership
Legal & General
Marks & Spencer
Ocado
Octopus Renewables
Therme Group
Work highlights
- Advised John Lewis Partnership on its £500m long-term joint venture with abrdn to develop 1,000 new homes at John Lewis properties in Bromley, West Ealing and Reading.
- Advised Marks and Spencer on its called-in planning application to demolish and rebuild its flagship Marble Arch store.
- Advised Derwent London on its acquisition and proposals to comprehensively redevelop the 2.5 acre site of Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology.
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Watson Farley & Williams LLP has a wide ranging planning and environment health and safety offering. The planning team advises on both non-contentious and contentious matters, from onshore and offshore consents, compulsory purchases, development planning, and regeneration, to judicial reviews and inquiries. The team also has an environmental focus, advising on minerals and waste matters, as well as new energy technologies. Nick Walker leads the team with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Practice head(s):
Nick Walker
Other key lawyers:
Valentina Keys
Key clients
Ropemaker Properties
InfraRed Capital Partners
Lightsource BP
Work highlights
- Advising Ropemaker Properties on a number of multi-million pound developments, including planning and EHS matters.
- Advising Ropemaker Properties on the forward funding development, comprising 27 industrial units of 581,040 sq. ft in Bristol.
- Advising Ropemaker Properties on securing planning permission for the £32m redevelopment of a former office building in central Cardiff.