Nicola Gooch > Irwin Mitchell > Crawley, England > Lawyer Profile

Assisting clients out of its regional centres in the South, the Midlands and the North, Irwin Mitchell’s planning and environment group – helmed by Claire Petricca-Riding – has considerable expertise in handling regeneration schemes, section 106 agreements, and strategic land developments. The firm has a particularly strong presence in the education sector, regularly assisting providers with capital projects, and advising landowners on air, water and energy matters. Gatwick-based Nicola Gooch leads the team, providing bespoke strategic planning advice to residential development clients, while James Pavey focuses on contentious planning and statutory inquiry work. Senior associate Sejal Patel is knowledgeable on drafting and negotiating highways and infrastructure agreements.

Irwin Mitchell advises clients across the country on both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. The team has expertise in environmental issues, including contaminated land and the regeneration of brownfield sites. Nicola Gooch is the lead partner for the South, handling large-scale, mixed-use developments and advising a number of developers. Sejal Patel was promoted to senior associate in May 2022, and has led on some of the team’s largest development projects. Practice head Claire Petricca-Riding is based in Manchester.