'Standout planning partner' Emily Williams heads the planning and environment practice at Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester, and is noted for her extensive expertise in planning and infrastructure matters. The ‘very reliable’ Stuart Wardlaw works out of the Edinburgh and Manchester office, and co-leads the team alongside Williams following the May 2024 departure of former co-lead Michelle Headrige. The team’s client roster is formed of well-known names from a variety of industry sectors, notably including National Grid UK Ltd and BP Oil UK Ltd. ’Tactile, pragmatic’ practitioner Rachael Tattersall is a key name to note for M&A and due diligence matters within an environmental context. Julie Goulbourne left the firm in February 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Emily Williams is the standout planning partner. If you have any JR procedure issue or need a quick assessment on merits she is the simply the best. She is absolutely great to work with as part of a large or small team and her judgment is exemplary. If I could involve her in all my planning JR cases I would. She has a great attitude and a credit to AG.’

  • ‘Rachael Tattersall was a standout associate in a complex regulatory issue of which there is limited information. She was tactile, pragmatic and straight to the point.’

  • ‘A comprehensive understanding of the sector and our business; Charlotte Scrivens is particularly standout.’

  • ‘Guided by partner Emily Williams, the planning team in Manchester work incredibly effectively together as unit.’

  • ‘Emily Williams is an outstanding planning lawyer who is highly adept at focusing on the optimum outcome for the client to any planning problem.’

  • ‘A really personable, friendly, efficient team. Great sector knowledge and experience of dealing with development schemes.’

  • ‘People are what makes Addleshaw Goddard the excellent law firm that it is. Stuart Wardlaw is very reliable, knowledgeable and approachable. Having worked with Stuart for over 15 years on various projects, I have developed a high level of trust in his work and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him and his team.’

  • ‘Emily Williams and Matthew Henshaw go above and beyond. They are diligent and hardworking. In this day and age where we might find ourselves struggling with accountability, yet need performance, this team are the exception and will not disappoint.’

Key clients

  • Anglian Water Group Companies
  • Threadneedle Group Companies
  • Diageo Plc
  • British Land Group Companies
  • BP Oil UK Limited
  • National Grid UK Limited
  • Venator Group
  • Inutec Limited
  • Peel Holdings Group Companies
  • South Tees Developments Limited & South Tees Development Corporation
  • West Midlands Combined Authority
  • Realty Income Group of Companies
  • Barclays Bank PLC
  • abrdn
  • Aviva Investors
  • Bruntwood Group of Companies
  • Blackburn with Darwen Council
  • Cole Waterhouse
  • Gladman Developments Limited
  • Hallam Land Management Limited
  • Hollins Strategic Land LLP
  • Horizon Cremation Limited
  • HPREF I Konect Investments S.A.R.L.
  • Hull Eco Parks Ltd
  • Liberty Charge Limited
  • Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited
  • Miller Developments
  • Morning Foods
  • National Tyre Service Group
  • Nationwide Building Society
  • Next PLC
  • Northern Trust Group of Companies
  • Oakmere Homes Limited
  • One Heritage Group Of Companies
  • Ovi Stoke Crown Works Limited
  • Pochin Goodman (Northern Gateway) Limited
  • Redsun Group of Companies
  • Rosconn Strategic Land
  • Romal Capital
  • Saloria Investments Limited
  • Schroder Real Estate Investment Management
  • The Strategic Land Group
  • Tonia Cole Waterhouse JC Limited
  • Trinity (CW) Limited
  • Watkin Jones PLC
  • Workspace Group PLC
  • Yearsley Food Limited
  • Zerum Consulting

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Emily Williams, Stuart Wardlaw

Other key lawyers

Matthew Henshaw, Charlotte Scrivens, Rachael Tattersall