Housing a ‘focused and intelligent’ practice, Blandy & Blandy LLP is recommended for its vast expertise in planning appeals and public inquiries. The team also assists clients with a broad range of environmental matters, particularly in relation to conservation. Based in Reading, Karen Jones heads the practice, and is a key contact for complex projects. Sabah Siddiq is another standout member of the team, who regularly handles both contentious and non-contentious matters involving planning and highways.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Karen Jones and Sabah Siddiq are exceptional.’

  • 'They are a well-focused planning practice. They offer very clear advice.'

  • 'I use Blandy & Blandy in preference to London based firms as they have a focused and intelligent planning team that provides more attention to detail on a case.’

  • ‘Karen Jones gives clear explanations to clients. The written opinions on complex matters are always impressively clear, succinct, and forceful where needed. She responds well to instructions and engages enthusiastically with projects.’

  • ‘They have an excellent small planning practice led by Partner Karen Jones, which punches well above its weight.’

  • ‘Karen Jones is a fountain of knowledge. She is very experienced, a great strategist, and very accessible.’

  • ‘Blandy & Blandy is a highly professional practice with a great planning law team. Having used them on several occasions for client requirements, they have always done a super job in a reasonably short timeframe.’

  • ‘Sabah Siddiq is super to work with. She is detailed, responsive, friendly, helpful, and most importantly, she always gets the job done.’

Key clients

  • Hargreaves Homes Limited
  • Shorts Group Limited
  • R Collard Limited
  • Elegant Homes Reading Limited
  • Blenheim Construction Limited
  • Englefield Estate Trust Corporation Limited
  • Rumsby Homes Limited
  • Cove Construction Limited
  • Bourne Homes Limited
  • The Hartley Trust

Work highlights

  • Acted for a private client regarding a two-day public inquiry in connection with refusal by West Berkshire Council relating to an application for a change of use from paddock to use as a residential garden.
  • Acted for a client in judicial review proceedings issued challenging the issue of planning permission, in which the matter was subsequently negotiated and settled.
  • Acted for Cove Construction Limited regarding the drafting, negotiating and completing of a complex s106 Agreement in connection with a planning inquiry.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Karen Jones

Other key lawyers

Sabah Siddiq