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‘The best in his field’, Richard Lloyd is the lynchpin of Eversheds LLP’s ‘very effective planning team’; his ‘knowledge of planning and CPO matters never fails to impress’. Aided by ‘exceptional’ associate Michelle Naylor, Lloyd is advising Thurrock Thames Gateway Development on the Purfleet new community project; utilising a multi-disciplinary approach drawing on team members from across the firm’s network, the mandate exemplifies the firm’s ability to handle sophisticated planning matters. A separate environment team includes ‘excellent’ senior associate Jane Southworth.

At Addleshaw Goddard LLP, Grant Anderson leads on planning matters, and has been at the forefront of the firm’s highest-profile work in the arena. He has been particularly active in the retail, waste and development/residential/regeneration sectors, and recently provided strategic advice to Sainsbury’s on a number of proposals for new stores and extensions. On the environment side, the ‘extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Michelle Headridge is a ‘leading light’ in the low carbon and renewable energy arena.

At DLA Piper UK LLP, the ‘very understanding’ Kate Creer is particularly strong on the public sector side, and continues to advise Halton Borough Council on the £450m Mersey Gateway project. Chris Bowes excels in business-critical planning decisions in the private sector, and recently successfully represented Tata Steel in overturning the decision allowing Newport City Council to grant planning permission for a traveller’s camp site adjacent to Tata’s offices in Newport.

At Squire Sanders Hammonds, environment head Rob Elvin has broad expertise across transactional, criminal and civil matters across a range of sectors, and is recognised as ‘one of the few private practitioners with a true understanding of the nuclear industry’. Senior solicitor Gary Lewis is increasingly visible in the market, and has advised Veolia on a number of issues including in connection with a noise abatement notice at a waste management facility.

Niche firm Zyda Law LLP in Nantwich may lack the resources of some of its peers in the ranking, but ‘this is more than made up for by the quality and depth of advice, attention to detail, communication skills and speed of response’. Active across a range of sectors, it is best known for its expertise in the nuclear industry, where founding partner Paul Zyda has ‘an established track record’. The firm continues to advise the UK Atomic Energy Authority on its decommissioning of three nuclear reactors at the Dounreay nuclear power station in Scotland.

The team at Cobbetts LLP acts on standalone instructions as well as in conjunction with its real estate team. On the contentious side, it represented Britannia Property Group in a successful appeal relating to a retrospective application for planning permission for a mixed-use development. Team head John Moritz ‘advises on the law, but listens to commercial aspects and steers a course that respects both’. Clients include St Modwen plc, Whitbread Group, De Vere Group, and Parkstone Group.

At Gateley, Andrew Piatt has an excellent pedigree in planning matters, and recently advised Lancashire County Cricket Club on its scheme to redevelop Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

At Pannone LLP, Keith Davidson specialises in contaminated land issues, and is representing DB Schenker in a contaminated land dispute with Total. ‘A lawyer who always goes the extra mile to achieve optimum results for his clients’, he is an integral part of a team that also includes planning expert David Delaney.

At Aaron & Partners LLP, Richard Forrester has ‘vast experience in the waste regulation and waste planning sector’.

The recent arrival of the ‘the highly technical and pragmatic’ Denise Dowen from Hill Dickinson LLP significantly enhanced Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s environmental capability. ‘A market leader’, Dowen regularly handles the defence of prosecutions by the HSE, local authorities, the Environment Agency and Defra.

At Brabners Chaffe Street LLP, Kevin Halewood advises public and private sector clients on planning appeals, CPOs and development work. On the environmental side, associate Claire Gregory recently joined from Squire Sanders Hammonds and heads up the team.

At DWF LLP, associate Jo Hannah continues to grow the planning group, and secured work from new clients including Manchester Metropolitan University and South Lakeland District Council.

Freeth Cartwright LLP has an excellent reputation for advising landowners and operators in significant transactions in the minerals and associated industries. Paul Calladine and consultant Brian Wake are the lynchpins of a team whose clients include Nottingham City Council and Albion Stone plc.

At Hill Dickinson LLP, head of planning John Holmes has a vast reservoir of experience across diverse planning issues, and is currently advising on the proposed new Chester SuperZoo project.

At Pinsent Masons LLP, senior associate Simon Colvin continues to impress clients with his ‘legal excellence and practical knowledge’, particularly in relation to conententious environmental matters.

At Weightmans LLP, consultant Lewis Denton has wide-ranging experience and is ‘always on top of things’. Clients include Derwent Holdings.

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