Shoosmiths LLP

Real Estate Planning

Alex Jones is a Principal Associate specialising in planning, highways, and environmental matters. 

Alex’s work comprises a mix of both contentious and non-contentious planning work, including drafting and negotiating complex s106 agreements, providing highways advice, negotiating infrastructure agreements, undertaking planning due diligence on a variety of matters, providing strategic planning advice, undertaking judicial reviews, obtaining footpath and highway closures, and undertaking planning appeals.

She acts for a wide range of clients, including public bodies, funders, commercial and residential developers, governmental departments, charities and retail clients.

Alex's experience includes:

Drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 Agreements, including the negotiation of the various planning agreements associated with the redevelopment of Birkenhead town centre and the Section 106 Agreement relating to the Eden Project in Lancashire; Negotiating sewer and highways agreements and providing support to the Real Estate Division, including inputting into development agreements, sale contracts and leases; Submitting a successful application for a screening direction from the Secretary of State in respect of the Council's decision to determinate that an application for a large development fell within the criteria for an Environmental Impact Assessment; Promoting a Development Consent Order for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in Cheshire; Submitting appeals to the Secretary of State against the refusal or non-determination of planning applications; and Advising developers and landowners in relation to permitted development rights and changes of use.

Alex regularly speaks at internal and external seminars aimed at local authority, public sector and private developer clients. She also delivers training for RICS and the Local Government Association.

Alex joined the team in May 2022 as a Senior Associate, having previously trained at a specialist planning and environmental firm and subsequently spent 6 years at international and national law firms.