Shoosmiths LLP's planning and environment practice has strong capabilities in advising on the planning aspects of a range of matters, from large-scale residential developments to work involving the complex planning and development of highways. A number of specialists oversee the team, namely 'equally fantastic' national planning leads Kathryn Jump, who has significant planning and CPO experience, and Lisa Tye whose skillset encompasses development and regeneration planning. Practice co-head David Mathias regularly advises clients on biodiversity regulations. Samantha Grange is noted for her broad CPO and compensation claims expertise.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Lisa Tye and Kathryn Jump are both very highly regarded in the North West and beyond. Their service is very personable and proactive.’

  • ‘Shoosmiths consistently provide first-rate advice on all planning matters. They are a company you would want in the trenches with you.’

  • ‘Kathryn Jump and Lisa Tye are both equally fantastic and client friendly. Lisa and Kathryn have the ability to provide complex advice in a client friendly way. Alex Jones provides well thought-out, clear advice in a straightforward manner.'

  • ‘Lisa Tye and Kathryn Jump are both stand-out practitioners with particular knowledge and expertise in compulsory purchase matters.’

  • ‘An extremely strong CPO and CPO compensation practice; calm, clever partners who are cool under pressure even in the midst of very difficult litigation.’

  • ‘Lisa Tye is a standout partner for me - a real pleasure to work with, clients listen to her and she brings the incisive mind and practical pragmatism needed to navigate complex matters.’

  • ‘This is the leading planning team in the North West - providing an outstanding offering in planning and compulsory purchase projects.’

  • ‘Kathryn Jump is a complete star - she has a complete understanding of site promotion and broader plan-making context. She is highly efficient, manages her team well and is superb with clients. She has represented one for the major landowners in the North West in many major applications and transactions.’

Key clients

  • Peel Holdings
  • Kellen Homes
  • Wirral Growth Company
  • Allied London
  • EG Group
  • Land Trust
  • Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames
  • Calderdale Borough Council
  • Countryside Properties
  • Renaker
  • Liverpool Airport
  • Extra MSA
  • London Borough of Hounslow Council

Work highlights

  • Advised Wirral Growth Company on the section 106 agreement and hybrid planning permission delivering the JV between Wirral Council and Muse on their mixed use development scheme at Moreton in Marsh, Wirral.
  • Advising Liverpool Airport Limited on a planning appeal relating to their proposed development of part of the Airport’s operational land as a solar farm, an essential part of a £100m expansion project for the Airport.
  • Advising Peel on planning applications for an aggregate of 1,800 new homes within a mixed use development at Mosley Common, a 61 hectare site that will be released from the Green Belt in Wigan.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kathryn Jump, Lisa Tye, David Mathias

Other key lawyers

Alex Jones, Samantha Grange