England - West Midlands • Real estate
Gowling WLG
With its planning team located within the broader real estate group, Gowling WLG has ‘good integration of its planning specialism with wider real estate capabilities’, offering a full spectrum of planning law advice. The firm is regarded for its strength in commercial developments and counts major housebuilders among its clients in relation to residential projects. Infrastructure is also a key area for the practice, specifically regarding highways and the rail freight interchange market. The practice is led by Birmingham-based partner Toni Weston, who is described as a ’great lawyer’ offering ‘clear and reliable planning advice’, and who has experience across regeneration projects, highway schemes and both residential and commercial developments. Associates Cairo Nickolls and Richard Thurling are also key supporting members in the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Good integration of planning specialism with wider real estate capabilities.’
‘Toni Weston - clear and reliable planning advice.'
‘Gowlings are a very well thought of solicitors with an impressive client base.’
‘Toni Weston is a great lawyer.’
‘Excellent service all round. They have a strong team so the quality of work remains high with differing team members. They offer commercial advice and know our business well. The main strength is assessing the issues, presenting them clearly, advising on potential solutions, leading to positive outcomes.’
‘Dan Leather, Madeline Creevy and Richard Thurling in particular consistently deliver excellent service and sound legal advice. With many transactions, speed is important, but also tenacity and endurance. All three of those named above are adept and flexible enough to tailor their approach to each transaction and ensure that the desired result is achieved.’
Key clients
- Bloor Homes Limited
- Persimmon Homes Limited
- Miller Homes Limited
- Hyde Housing
- Goodman Real Estate
- St Modwen Developments
- St Modwen Homes
- South Tees Development Corporation
- Sanctuary Housing Association
- Transport for London
- National Highways Limited
- London Borough of Barnet
- Mulberry Commercial Developments Limited
- Land and Partners
- Hayfield Homes
- Latimer and the Clarion Housing Group
- Vistry Homes
- Barratt Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Acted as lead legal advisor to National Highways on an application for a development consent order for the A57 Link Roads improvement scheme.
- Advising a consortium of landowners and developers on the preparation and submission of a planning application for a sustainable urban extension of 5,500 new homes in Langley.
- Advised South Tees Development Corporation on the making, confirmation and implementation of a CPO to secure regeneration of 900 hectares of the former Redcar Steel Works.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Toni Weston