No5 Barristers' Chambers

Planning & Environment

Paul Cairnes was called to the Bar in 1980 and specialises exclusively in Planning and Environmental work. Paul acts for developers and local authorities throughout England and Wales and he has considerable High Court experience with regard to planning and environmental issues. Paul is presently promoting a number of major residential schemes across the country, including a proposed garden community.

He is regularly instructed to appear and advise in high profile and large-scale development proposals, recent examples of which include:

Housing and Mixed Use

The successful promotion of a major residential housing scheme (350 homes and associated infrastructure). The sites were allocated for employment use on a renowned 800 acre mixed use location. Despite the Inspector finding that there was still a reasonable prospect of the sites coming forward for their allocated use, he determined that the operation of the tilted balance (due to the absence of a 5YHLS) justified the proposals (APP/H2265/W/19/3235165, 3235166; 3235171) The successful promotion of a major detailed residential scheme (53 homes and associated infrastructure) in Morpeth, Northumberland. The site was unallocated in the Neighbourhood Plan and the LPA were able to demonstrate a 12.5 years housing land supply (APP/P2935/W/18/3210193) The successful promotion of a residential scheme in environmentally sensitive location in West Stafford Dorset (PINS Ref: APP/F1230/W/18/3206604) Major residential scheme of 175 dwellings and associated infrastructure on an unallocated site in the Green Belt on land north of Asher Lane, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire (PINS Ref: APP/P3040/W/17/3185493) The successful promotion of a major residential (detailed) scheme of 290 dwellings and associated infrastructure on land off Fleckney Road, Fleckney, Leicestershire (PINS Ref: APP/F2415/W/17/3182409) The successful promotion of major residential scheme of up to 250 dwellings on land off Coventry Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. (PINS Ref: APP/F2415/W/16/3151978). The successful promotion of rural residential scheme in North Dorset and consequential discharge of existing planning obligations (PINS Refs: APP/N2515/W/15/3128761 & APP/N1215/Q/15/3131182). The successful promotion of major residential development scheme in West Sussex despite the existence of a 5-year housing land supply (PINS Ref: APP/L3815/W/15/3003656). The successful promotion of a residential development scheme in Feniton, Devon. This was the only successful appeal in 4 conjoined planning appeals heard together in a “super inquiry” (PINS Ref: APP/U1105/A/13/2191905). The successful opposition to a residential housing scheme in the Forest of Dean despite the absence of a 5-year housing land supply (PINS Ref: APP/P1615/A/13/2204158). The successful promotion of a mixed-use development comprising 173 residential units, office buildings and retail outlet with associated infrastructure in Weymouth, Dorset (PINS Ref: APP/P1235/A/13/2198549). The successful promotion of a residential development of 277 dwellings with associated public open space, affordable housing, recreational facilities, landscaping and access at the former Fremington Army Camp, Devon (PINS Ref: APP/X1118/A/12/2188898). The successful promotion of a mixed used development comprising some 51 dwellings plus retail units in Bournemouth (PINS Ref: APP/G1250/A/12/2189589). The successful promotion of a mixed-use urban extension to south of Gloucester comprising some 1750 homes and associated community infrastructure (Hunts Grove – PINS Ref: APP/C1625/V/07/1202058)). Successfully opposing a proposed development comprising some 137 dwellings and medical centre in Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, Stratford on Avon despite the absence of a 5 year housing land supply (PINS Ref: APP/J3720/A/12/2176743). Successfully opposing a proposed mixed use urban extension to the north of Gloucester comprising some 1750 homes and associated community infrastructure (Land at Innsworth Lane – PINS Ref: APP/G1630/A/09/2097181)). Numerous appeals concerning residential, commercial and wind farm development proposals in the Green Belt, AONBs, the setting of listed buildings and other sensitive sites. Paul is presently instructed in connection with the promotion of major residential, mixed use and commercial schemes across England, most recently with respect to sites in Nottinghamshire, Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Corby, Northumberland and Stroud.

Commercial

The successful promotion of a large-scale low-energy industrial park adjacent to Canford Heath, Poole, Dorset. The appeal was opposed by Natural England in view of contested ecological concerns over the potential adverse impacts upon the European protected Dorset Heathlands (PINS Ref: APP/Q1225/A/13/2204098).

Local Plans

Promoting large scale residential development allocation (1400 dwellings) on behalf of major developers at the EiP of the draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan (2017). Representing Waverley Housing Forum (comprising a group of 10 major developers) at the EiP of the draft Waverley Local Plan (2017). Representing interests of large scale developers and site promoters at the EiP of the draft Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Plan (2017).

Minerals and Waste

Securing district-wide permanent injunctive relief concerning unlawful waste transfer sites in Rotherham. Representing Gloucestershire County Council in challenge to minerals extractions permission in Cotswold Water Park Promotion of waste transfer and linked employment sites in the SE Dorset conurbation

Enforcement

Paul has a long history of acting in complex enforcement matters. This has included the successful prosecution recovery of substantial monies on behalf of LPAs using the POCA regime. His most recent enforcement appeal (on behalf of Stratford-on-Avon District Council) resulted in a full costs award in favour of his client [PINS Refs: APP/J3720/C/17/3178642, 3178652, 3178664).

Recent significant cases include:

R (Wright) v Forest of Dean DC & Resilient Energy Severndale Ltd [2019] UKSC 53: Reviewing authority on issues surrounding acceptability of financial incentives attached to a planning application.

Wingrove v Stratford-on-Avon District Council [2015] EWHC 287 (Admin): Successful resistance to challenge of use by LPA of s.70C TCPA 1990 (introduced by Localism Act 2011) to decline to determine retrospective application for planning permission where enforcement notice in place.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council v Secretary of State & Ors [2013] EWHC 2074 (Admin): Challenge to grant of planning permission formulated on consultation rights as contained in the Aarhus Convention.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council v Secretary of State & Ors [2013] EWHC 2074 (Admin): Challenge to grant of planning permission formulated on consultation rights as contained in the Aarhus Convention.

Jenkins v Gloucestershire County Council and Ors [2012] EWHC 292 (Admin): Opposing challenge to grant of planning permission in the Cotswold Water Park.

Stratford on Avon District Council v David Wilson Homes and Others (2011): Successful enforcement of s106 obligation to provide financial contribution to community facilities.

Wiltshire Council v (1) Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government and (2) Robert Hitchins Ltd [2010] EWHC 1009 (Admin): Disaggregation of housing land supply and the potential use of summary judgment in s.288 appeals.

R (on the application of Egerton) v Taunton Borough Council [2008] EWHC 2752 (Admin): The meaning of ‘curtilage’ in the context of the listed buildings legislation.

RECOMMENDATIONS

“Excellent client communication skills and collaborative working style. Strategic thinker, who is always a few steps ahead in developing an argument. As an advocate, he is good to listen to – never overblown or wordy”

(Legal 500 2021 - Tier 1)

“Excellent in his approach to clients, providing straightforward, clear advice, with a willingness to be forceful where required”

(Legal 500 2020)

“Particularly strong on large scale residential matters”

(Legal 500 2019)

“A marvellous barrister”  “He seamlessly combines in-depth knowledge, attention to detail, gravitas and charm.”

(Legal 500 2018)

 

Paul featured as a top-rated junior in Planning magazine (2013 - 2015) before taking Silk in 2016 and he now features as a top-rated silk (2018-2021).

Called 1980, 1989 New South Wales; accredited mediator (BSPC Regent’s Park College).

Planning and Environmental Bar Association

LLB (U.C.W. Aberystwyth) LLM in Public Law (Bristol University) Accredited Mediator (BSPC Regent’s Park College)