England - West Midlands • Real estate
Shoosmiths LLP
Praised for providing ‘consistently excellent advice’, Shoosmiths LLP’s Midlands planning practice is a key component of its national offering. The team works closely with planning groups based in Manchester and Nottingham, and has a strong development and public sector focus. The practice is also distinguished for its planning litigation team led by Tim Willis, who is described as a ’star of the firm’. Senior associate Rachael Coulsting is also a key contact in the team for her experience advising housebuilders and developers, as well as her work in CPOs, s.106 agreements and planning litigation. Solicitor Paige Ferris-Bedward recently joined the firm from EMW Law LLP. Stuart Tym left the firm to join Knights plc in August 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Consistently excellent in providing advice and notable for client care.’
‘Very experienced planning solicitors. Very knowledgeable of the planning and enforcement system. Able to give the client comprehensive and realistic advice. Excellent at project managing a multidisciplinary team in complex Planning Inquiries. Regularly represents clients in the Planning Court.’
‘Shoosmiths have a strong planning team in the Midlands with a client-focused and proactive approach to practice. I find the team technically competent and collaborative.’
‘I have worked closely with Tim Willis on a number of cases and he will always seek to explore how best to advance the client's position in a robust, yet flexible and realistic fashion.’
- ‘Tim Willis is the obvious star of the firm.’
Key clients
- Bellway Homes Limited (South West)
- Maximus Strategic Land Limited
- Walsall Housing Group Limited
- Richborough Estates
- O&H Properties
- IM Properties
- City and County of Swansea Council
- Persimmon Homes (Thames Valley) Limited
- L&Q
- Safestore Properties Limited
- Westlake Properties Limited
- Nurton Developments (Shifnal) Limited
- Central England Co-operative Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Maximus Ltd on the North Stafford urban extension scheme, which encompasses a 432-acre site allocated for the provision of 2,000 houses, two new schools, and associated transport links and green infrastructure.
- Advising Nurton in relation to the promotion of its land for residential development through the draft Shropshire Local Plan 2016-2038.
- Acting for Persimmon Homes in relation to a housing proposal for 500 houses.
Lawyers
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Tim Willis