United Kingdom > London > Real estate > Planning
Index of tables
Planning
Leading individuals
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- Stephen Ashworth SNR Denton
- Richard Buxton Richard Buxton
- Michael Cunliffe Forsters LLP
- Anthony Curnow Ashurst LLP
- Martin Evans Nabarro LLP
- Duncan Field SJ Berwin LLP
- Wesley Fongenie Nabarro LLP
- Michael Gallimore Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Ian Ginbey Clyde & Co LLP
- Trevor Goode Ashurst LLP
- Brian Greenwood Osborne Clarke
- Tim Hellier Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Barry Jeeps Stephenson Harwood
- Timothy Pugh Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Simon Ricketts SJ Berwin LLP
- Patrick Robinson Herbert Smith LLP
- Tim Smith Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Ian Trehearne Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- David Watkins Linklaters LLP
- Matthew White Herbert Smith LLP
- Chris Williams CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
With ‘first-class knowledge’, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘possesses the complete set of skills required’ to advise public and private sector clients on developments across the UK, including retail, infrastructure and housing clients. Highlights included advising on Cambridge University’s new campus; National Grid Property’s residential project involving 3,200 homes and a solar energy plant; and post-Olympics site development for the Olympic Delivery Authority. It continues to advise on the Thames Tunnel wastewater project; and to act for key client Tesco on its multimillion-pound Sittingbourne regeneration scheme. Tim Hellier, who has ‘excellent knowledge of planning law’, co-heads the seven-partner practice with Timothy Pugh.
Herbert Smith LLP focuses on mixed-use, commercial and infrastructure projects, and has particular strength in the nuclear sector. Matthew White and practice head Patrick Robinson are ‘effective, approachable strategists’. Robinson led on securing consent for Heron International’s luxury hotel complex in Bishopsgate, and Hammerson’s application for the London Wall Place office scheme. White continued to lead on EDF Energy’s nuclear power station proposals, and secured consent for the London Development Agency’s Crystal Palace Park regeneration scheme. Clare Fielding acted in a successful appeal regarding redevelopment of Greenwich market, and represented Real Estate Opportunities on the £6bn Battersea Power Station regeneration scheme.
Ashurst LLP’s planning practice spans retail, residential and infrastructure work. It is acting on Commercial Estates’ proposed skyscraper development proposal, Columbus Tower, and on Hutchison Whampoa’s £500m Lots Road scheme, one of London’s biggest residential developments. Anthony Curnow is advising Westfield on its retail and mixed-use development in Stratford, and Trevor Goode continues to advise Tesco on challenges to its developments.
Hogan Lovells International LLP’s practice head Michael Gallimore is ‘very astute, approachable, calm and considered, and has excellent judgement’. He led advice to HelioSlough on its proposed rail freight redevelopment, including a High Court challenge against an appeal decision; and advised Royal Mail on developing three major London sites, including Rathbone Place. Claire Dutch is advising Ballymore on a City regeneration scheme and Covanta Energy on a proposed energy-from-waste plant. Other clients include British Land, John Lewis/Waitrose, and Prudential, as well as new clients Barratt Homes, Londonewcastle and Embassy Developments.
Nabarro LLP represents developers on high-value, landmark schemes. Practice head Martin Evans is leading on the £4.5bn Brent Cross/Cricklewood regeneration scheme, which was granted planning consent, and on the Chelsea Barracks redevelopment proposals. Wesley Fongenie is advising Segro on the Slough Trading Estate regeneration and on rail freight infrastructure proposals. Joshua Risso-Gill has been advising Investream on The Quill student accommodation project.
SJ Berwin LLP has ‘a good understanding of complex elements for planning and large-scale developments’, and is ‘an obvious choice for commercial clients’. It continued to act for Quintain Estates on its Wembley City regeneration, and won appeals for The Crown Estate and Coin Street Community Builders. Simon Ricketts, who is ‘highly imaginative and very calm, and has an absolutely first-rate legal mind’, is representing Conserve the Chilterns and Countryside in its campaign against the HS2 railway proposals. ‘An absolute pleasure to work with’, Duncan Field won a judicial review claim for London City Airport.
SNR Denton’s ‘proactive team consistently goes beyond expectation’, and is best known for public sector work. Clients include development corporations and retail sector interests. Practice head Stephen Webb advised Three Rivers District Council on the Leavesden Studios redevelopment; and Gladedale in a judicial review regarding its proposed redevelopment of Hampton Court railway station. Retail and housing expert David Cox, who provides ‘very sound and concise advice, and is never afraid to challenge conventional practices’, obtained planning permission for redevelopment schemes by J Sainsbury and Preston Tithebarn Partnership. Emma White is advising Fraser Projects on a planning inquiry.
CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has ‘huge experience in all aspects of planning, especially in the retail sector’. It continues to act for J Sainsbury, including winning a Supreme Court case against Tesco that could have wider impact on local authorities’ CPO powers. It is also advising National Grid and Scottish Power in relation to a transmission connection between England and Scotland, and advising the Department for Transport on the HS1 rail link. Other clients include Westminster Council and The Berkeley Group. Practice head Chris Williams ‘provides strong, strategic advice’.
Clifford Chance focuses on high-value urban and large-scale infrastructure developments and judicial reviews. Recent highlights include advising on Siemens’ £30m exhibition centre at the Royal Docks; Legal & General’s Walbrook redevelopment; and Horizon Nuclear Power’s development of facilities. Nigel Howorth heads the practice.
DLA Piper UK LLP handles planning developments across the UK, particularly in infrastructure. It continues to advise Halton Borough Council on the Mersey Gateway bridge project. Practice head Howard Bassford advises on regeneration schemes, including acting for the London Borough of Barnet on the Mill Hill East redevelopment. Other clients include Covanta Energy, Land Securities, and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.
Eversheds LLP’s team is ‘experienced and very commercial’, particularly for CPOs, and leverages the firm’s parliamentary law expertise to advise on infrastructure and regeneration projects. Practice head Judith Damerell is advising the Department for Transport on the HS2 rail link and leads on planning matters for TfL, including Battersea Power Station. Stephen Collings and Marcus Trinick are ‘very knowledgeable and experienced’.
Linklaters LLP advises property developers, owners and energy companies on ‘eye-catching projects’. Led by David Watkins, who is ‘inventive and resourceful, and thinks “outside the box”’, the practice often advises on complex issues concerning listed buildings, such as UBS’ City office developments and St John’s Wood Barracks in Westminster. Other mandates include Native Land’s South Bank residential scheme and Gent Fairhead & Co’s waste treatment facility at a historic former airfield.
Osborne Clarke provides ‘good practical advice’, and understands clients’ needs. It continues to act for ABP on its UK ports matters, including advising on proposals for a terminal to service offshore wind farms. It also secured consents for and defended challenges against South Hook LNG’s Milford Haven terminal. It represented Asda and The Co-operative in contentious matters, and acted for Unite Group on UK student accommodation developments. Brian Greenwood is ‘client focused, commercial and pragmatic’.
Pinsent Masons advises on major public and private sector developments, with national practice head Richard Ford advising the Olympic Delivery Authority on the Olympic Park and Stratford City development scheme, and the Westfield retail project therein. Energy infrastructure projects are a growing focus for the team, which is advising Nugeneration on the Sellafield nuclear power station project. Ford and Iain Gilbey, who joined from Shoosmiths, are co-leading a team on the Earls Court and Olympia mixed-use redevelopment.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s expertise includes waste, infrastructure and retail developments as well as projects in the City. Highlights included a successful appeal for J Sainsbury to win consent for extending its Chesterfield store. Other clients include Taylor Wimpey and Peel Environmental. Practice head Marnix Elsenaar is recommended for advice on energy-from-waste projects.
Bircham Dyson Bell LLP leverages its public affairs and parliamentary law expertise to advise on infrastructure projects, such as TfL’s Thames cable car scheme and Able UK’s plan to develop a £400m quay to service offshore wind farms. Other clients include National Grid and English Heritage. Mark Challis and John Qualtrough are recommended.
Tim Taylor has taken over as head of planning at Forsters LLP, having replaced Michael Cunliffe, who is now a consultant. Taylor is acting for Warner Brothers on the Leavesden Studios redevelopment, which is set to become the UK’s largest film studio. The contentious side of the practice is well regarded, with Cunliffe recently representing Oxford Brookes University in winning dismissal of a challenge to its proposed campus building. He also won an appeal for Colonnade regarding its Bata Field housing scheme. The team’s public and private sector clients also include Menta Developments, Northacre, Center Parcs, and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
Norton Rose LLP provides ‘good, focused advice’ to public and private sector clients. Highlights included acting for Blue-NG in a planning application inquiry over a power station; and advising Thames Gateway Development Corporation on development applications made by Tesco. Other clients include DP World, Drax Power and Solena. Practice head Nigel Hewitson is ‘very user friendly in his dealings with clients but tenacious in promoting their interests’, and is well regarded for his broad understanding of planning matters.
Olswang’s planning law practice is ‘strongly rooted in advice to commercial clients’, and CPO matters are a key focus. It acted for Evolutions Television in a compensation claim pertaining to the purchase of its premises for Crossrail. It is also acting for ING Real Estate and HSBC on out-of-town retail schemes. Other clients include F&C Reit, Royal Mail, Nationwide, and new clients HMV Group and Maybrook Properties. Practice head Richard Keczkes is ‘very efficient and refreshingly commercial’.
Richard Buxton is ‘the firm for interest groups and residents to use in planning-related judicial reviews’. Highlights included a successful High Court challenge to Cornwall Light and Power’s proposed wind turbine; and a successful appeal for Save Britain’s Heritage, which means developers now have to gain planning permission before major building demolitions. It also acted for architect Keith Garner in challenging the redevelopment near Hampton Court Palace. Richard Buxton is highly regarded, while Susan Ring is earning plaudits for wind farm development work.
Stephenson Harwood’s practice head Barry Jeeps has ‘an ability to understand complex issues and articulate them in a clear, structured and persuasive way’. He is advising the University of Greenwich on campus proposals, and The Peel Group on a housing scheme near Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport.
Davies Arnold Cooper LLP represents housing associations, developers and local authorities, focusing particularly on large mixed-use and commercial schemes. It is advising Arab Investments on The Pinnacle skyscraper; Barratt Homes on the redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse; and the Metropolitan Police Authority on the 2012 Olympic Games. Tim Johnson heads the practice.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP primarily advises on planning for infrastructure and energy projects, such as the Department for Transport’s Thameslink rail scheme. It also advised Merlin Entertainment Group on sites for family entertainment venue sites. Jonathan Isted heads the practice.
K&L Gates continues to advise Rushmoor Borough Council on the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport; the London Borough of Hounslow on regeneration schemes; and Henderson Global Investors on out-of-town retail developments. Other clients include Laing O’Rourke, First London and Windsor Life. Practice head Sebastian Charles is ‘very bright; proactive rather than reactive’.
Lawrence Graham LLP’s knowledgeable team is well regarded, and its ‘strength in depth and value for money is demonstrated in results rather than costs’. Telecoms is a notable specialism, where it acts for clients such as O2 UK, while the strong contentious team acts in High Court litigation and undertakes advocacy at inquiries, with Stephen Turnbull representing Legal & General and J Sainsbury in judicial reviews. Practice head Trevor Blaney is advising South Western Property on a residential development in Somerset.
Mishcon de Reya’s planning practice is led by Daniel Farrand, who has experience in large-scale developments. Clients include Delancey, Topland Group and Capital & Counties. New clients include the Church Commissioners, which the team advised in relation to listed buildings; and William Pears Group, which it advised on acquiring the Notting Hill Estate.
Richard Max & Co’s niche practice provides ‘bespoke, personal service’. Richard Max, who is ‘determined and doesn ’t give up’, continues to advise Tottenham Hotspur FC on redeveloping its existing stadium site, and is acting for a private landowner regarding proposed rail freight interchanges at Harlington and Radlett. The ‘diligent and painstaking’ David Warman has been advising Barratt Homes on residential schemes.
Slaughter and May advises on mixed-use developments and infrastructure projects, such as Derwent London’s office and residential scheme proposals and the redevelopment of Arsenal FC’s former stadium site at Highbury. Other clients include Westbrook Partners and Global Infrastructure Partners. David Waterfield leads the planning team.
Speechly Bircham LLP’s planning team ‘demonstrates a high degree of commercial sense’. Practice head Clare Prior is committed to clients and has ‘detailed specialist knowledge’, with particular experience in town centre redevelopments and highways law. She acted for Countryside Properties on a s106 planning obligation regarding a mixed-use scheme in East London. Bill Bidder advised Bellway Homes on the 10,000-home Barking Riverside regeneration. Other clients include Berkeley Group, Explore Living, P&O, Wycombe District Council and Taylor Wimpey.
Taylor Wessing LLP’s team is ‘extremely efficient, with a very thorough approach’. It represents developers and financial groups such as Heron International, RBS and De Vere Hotels. Highlights included pursuing compensation claims for Brewster’s Waste Management against the London Development Agency, and for Stayley Developments against National Grid. The practice also advised Canada Life, Derwent London and McLaren Property on London developments. Practice head Alistair Watson ‘provides a very effective service’.
Winckworth Sherwood is well regarded for its parliamentary expertise and advice, which is ‘commercially focused and tailored to clients ’ business needs’. The firm recruited new practice head Karen Cooksley and two other lawyers from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. The team’s mix of public and private sector clients includes Wimpey, the Department for Transport and the Diocese of Oxford. The practice completed s106 agreements for Barratt Homes’ regeneration schemes, including the £1.5bn Canada Water Basin development. Sara Hanrahan, who has ‘a practical approach to resolving issues and good knowledge of the intricacies of planning issues’, acted for Hanover Housing Association on a mixed-use redevelopment, and is also advising on Crossrail.
DMH Stallard LLP’s core strengths are waste and renewables, where Michael Krantz has ‘expert knowledge and experience’. He advised Taurus Waste and Premier Aggregates on energy-from-waste facilities, and continues to advise DWF Sports on developing the UK’s leading golfing academy. Practice head Philip Kratz represents homebuilders.
Dechert LLP’s recent highlights include obtaining planning consent for News International’s remodelling of its Wapping site. It is advising The Crown Estate on the Luton Town urban extension; and Blackfriars Investments on redeveloping 2 Puddle Dock (The Mermaid Theatre) as a six-star hotel. Justin True heads the practice.
Dundas & Wilson LLP’s planning team is ‘clear, focused, pragmatic and commercial’. It advises National Grid on transmission infrastructure projects, and is advising landowner Lafarge Aggregates on the proposed rail freight interchange on greenbelt land at Radlett. Other clients include Enodis and Land Securities. On the contentious side, it successfully settled a number of CPO disputes. Practice head Stephen McNaught ‘thinks strategically and is an effective negotiator’.
Farrer & Co provides ‘commercially astute advice’, and has been acting on urban extension developments outside London, and listed building and highways issues. The World Wildlife Fund is a significant new client. Practice head Karen Phull is highly knowledgeable, and ‘approachable while also being extremely professional, market-aware and technically competent’.
Fladgate LLP primarily acts for private developers and investors on contentious and non-contentious matters. Recent instructions include advising the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea on planning applications for the Commonwealth Institute, and acting in connection with compensation claims arising from a major development. New clients include Hale Harbour Authority and ING Real Estate. Mark Harnett provides ‘astute, personable and commercial’ service.
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP hired Karen Howard from Wragge & Co LLP to lead its planning and regeneration practice. Howard has ‘a strong grasp of clients ’ commercial needs, and works hard to get results’. Recent instructions include advising on Watford Council’s town centre redevelopment, and advising private developers in public inquiries. Tim Fogarty leads on contentious matters.
Travers Smith LLP is recommended for ‘standalone, strategic projects’, and fields a team that ‘puts clients first and goes out of its way to provide outstanding service’. The team has been advising Pinewood Shepperton regarding the public inquiry into its proposals for expanding its film studios; and obtained planning consent for the Olympic Park’s ArcelorMittal Orbit. Real estate head Julian Bass leads on planning advice.