Providing ‘an exceptionally professional and reliable service’, the planning and environment team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP is noted for advising local authorities, central government departments, and registered housing providers, which form a core part of its wider client roster of private sector developers and housebuilders. Recently, the team has been involved in numerous sizeable mixed-use regeneration schemes, assisting on matters such as s106 agreements, highway agreements, and compulsory purchase orders. The South West offering is headed out of Exeter by Rory Stracey, who has experience in the contentious and non-contentious aspects of planning law. Sophie Emerson and Jasmin Andrews are also noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Rory Stracey is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. He has gone out of his way to research and deliver the right advice at the right time. His previous experience of working in a council gives him invaluable expertise and understanding of council processes and duties.'

  • ‘They have a strong and knowledgeable team who are always happy to help.’

  • ‘I mainly work with Rory Stracey and Sophie Emerson who are both very approachable and always happy to help. They provide sound and straightforward legal advice, often within very short timeframes.’

  • ‘The team provides an exceptionally professional and reliable service, offering support across all land, planning and development legal matters. Their expertise ranges from straightforward purchase contracts and transfers to complex advice on risk and dispute resolution.'

  • ‘We have recently worked with Jasmin Andrews and she has provided a good service when negotiating a Section 106 Agreement with a local council.’

Work highlights

  • Acting as sole planning advisers to Vision Nine Entertainment Group in connection with the Boardmasters Surf and Music Festival which is held at Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall.
  • Acted for Sevenoaks District Council on the negotiation of a complex S106 agreement in relation to the Fort Halstead Development, a mixed-use regeneration of the Fort Halstead site involving the development of up to 27,659sqm and 750 new homes, among other structures.
  • Acting for Leicestershire County Council on its new highway improvement scheme known as the A511 Growth Corridor.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Rory Stracey

Other key lawyers

Sophie Emerson, Jasmin Andrews