Shoosmiths LLP

Real Estate - Planning

Matt is a Legal Director in the Planning Team, based in London. Matt is an experienced planning lawyer and advises on all aspects of planning, highways and compulsory purchase law.  He has experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, including complex section 106 agreements, highway agreements and stopping-up, compulsory purchase, environmental impact assessments.  Matt has gained significant experience in both making and defending judicial reviews and statutory challenges. Matt's recent experience includes: advising the applicant on all aspects of a proposed development for a significant film studio located in the greenbelt, including application review (EIA development); advising on a comprehensive mixed use redevelopment comprising up to 1,524 residential units at the former Westferry Printworks site on the Isle of Dogs, London.  Including a three week public inquiry, subsequent legal challenge and redetermination process, including negotiating a number of complex section 106 unilateral undertakings; advising the developer on the negotiation and agreement of a section 106 agreement of a phased outline scheme for up to 1,152 residential units and commercial space in central London; advising on all aspects of a comprehensive town centre redevelopment to provide up to 1,867 residential units and retail/commercial floorspace; acting for a land promoter in successfully defending the adoption of the Guildford Local Plan and Wycombe Local Plan by way of statutory challenge following a challenge to greenbelt release; lead advisor acting for a developer as part of a consortium challenging the decision of a local authority to proceed with the adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan, including claim for Interim Relief; advising on the planning aspects of numerous portfolio disposals and due diligence exercises, including purpose built student accommodation, industrial sites and development opportunities for a range of sites across the country.

Matt joined Shoosmiths in 2023, having previously worked at Eversheds Sutherland and Forsters LLP.