"Neil takes complex issues and simplifies them so that they are easily understood by clients, inspectors, judges and opponents! He is able to address the most bizarre left field questions and answer them easily and in a reassuring way." - Legal 500
Neil has extensive experience in planning, compulsory purchase, parliamentary and environmental work. He was joint head of Landmark Chambers from 2015-2018. He sits as a Deputy High Court Judge, including in the Planning Court.
Major planning inquiries include Custom House (Grade 1 listed building in the City of London), The Tulip (305 m tall visitor attraction in the City of London), Cribbs Causeway (retail), Burgess Business Park (residential and commercial mixed use) King’s Lynn incinerator proposal (energy from waste), Leeds NGT (Transport and Works Act).
He has deep knowledge and experience in residential schemes at section 78 appeals and at local plan examinations.
He has acted for retirement housing developers over many years.
He acted in Parliament on petitions in relation to Crossrail and HS2. In 2023 he appeared for the Greater Manchester local authorities on the HS2 Phase 2b Bill. He promoted the Middle Level Act 2018 in the House of Commons and House of Lords opposed bill committees.
Court appearances include:
Supreme Court:
• R (Wright) v. Forest of Dean and Resilient Severndale [2019] UKSC 53 (whether payments to a community benefit fund are a material consideration)
• Dover District Council v. CPRE [2017] UKSC 79 (the duty on local planning authorities to give reasons)
• Morge v. Hampshire County Council [2011] UKSC 2 (consideration of the Habitats Directive -2011)
Court of Appeal:
• Peel v. Hyndburn (interpretation of retail planning permissions),
• Loader v. Rother District Council (interpretation of paragraph 74 in the NPPF, and consultation requirements).
High Court:
• LB of Islington v. Secretary of State (challenge to Class J permitted development rights).
• Westminster and English Heritage v. Secretary of State (challenge to a decision not to call in an application).
• Orbital Shopping Park v. Swindon Borough Council (whether additional retail floorspace is liable to CIL).
Chambers and Partners 2023
"He is outstanding. Neil combines a very pragmatic and approachable style with superb legal skills and technical expertise."
"He is calm and measured and an excellent technical lawyer."
Legal 500 2023
‘Neil takes complex issues and simplifies them so that they are easily understood by clients, inspectors, judges and opponents! He is able to address the most bizarre left field questions and answer them easily and in a reassuring way.’
• Graduate of Durham University
Memberships
• Parliamentary Bar Mess (Committee Member)
• Planning and Environmental Bar Association
• United Kingdom Environmental Law Association