The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > North West > Planning and environment

‘Richard Lloyd is an exceptional planning lawyer. His knowledge of planning law is encyclopedic which, when combined with his innovative approach to problem-solving, represents a hugely powerful resource within the professional team.’

‘We have worked most closely with Joanne Holbrook, legal director. Joanne has provided an exceptional customer-focused service to help us deliver high-quality statutory plans. She has a very good understanding of water resources and environmental legislation as well as the wider policy arena relating to these topics allowing her to provide more holistic advice on key areas of potential challenge, not just legal aspects.’

‘Samantha Grange is very knowledgeable and thorough in her advice.’

‘Samantha Grange is an exceptional planning solicitor who is very passionate about her profession and meeting and exceeding client expectations.’

‘The Winckworth Sherwood planning team led by partner Colette McCormack are clear leaders in the field of planning. As planning law/policy becomes ever more complex, they are always ahead of the curve in terms of new law/policy and how it affects local planning authorities and the development industry- importantly they don’t just tell you what the law is – which is what some lawyers – they tell you how to apply it and provide a solution. Importantly they understand the political context of planning law at local and community level as well as the need to deliver.’

‘Colette and her team deal with highly complex planning issues but you can always rely on them to lead the project forward. They are proactive and very solutions-driven. Even though they are advising the Council as the local planning authority – they understand the development process and industry and the local government process and how it works including the interplay with the Mayor and local politicians which stand them apart from many planning teams.’

‘The team is led by planning partner Colette McCormack and she is assisted by senior associate Jo Hannah and associate Matt Steinbrecher and the team is proactive and very solutions-driven. They are team players and work closely with the officers advising on highly complex planning and development issues. Colette’s understanding of local government law and the commerciality required in the development process coupled with her specialist planning legal knowledge allows her to think outside the box to find the right solution. We know that we can rely on Colette and Jo to provide clear advice on what are usually very complex areas of planning law.’

‘Colette is very calm under pressure and is skilled at delivering major projects and keeping them on track. She has a very good manner not only with the council officers but also the developers and their consultant teams. Colette, Jo Hannah and Matt Steinbrecher are always on top of their brief from the council and we are always glad that they are advising us at the council as you can always rely on Colette to bring the parties round the table together and to find a solution, as well leading on complex legal negotiations.’

‘They have instructed me on a number of environmental prosecution matters, where they defend. Their knowledge of the wider market and their expertise in general planning matters means that they come to such matters with a broad realistic outlook which serves their clients excellently.’

‘The team are approachable and provide solutions which are their key strengths. Some firms are less approachable and less human. Aaron and partners give us confidence in being able to ask the questions in the first place and providing answers that give us confidence.’

‘Emma McGlinchy is very quick and responding to any queries and we never need to chase. She is very knowledgeable and engages in detailed discussion so that we are given high-quality advice. David Delaney gives his time to explore the issues before providing advice. He is prepared to listen and understand queries before providing the advice required.’

‘I have been particularly impressed by Keith McKinney, who is meticulous in his preparation and his commitment to realistic outcomes for his clients is second to none.’

‘Straight forward and easy to understand.’ 

‘Claire Petricca-Riding is one of the leading solicitor practitioners in this specialism in the North West. She has more than a decade of specialist experience, initially with niche firms and now bringing her experience to larger commercial firms. Her recruitment was a great addition for Irwin Mitchell and I know that it has expanded the range of services they are able to offer.’

‘Claire Petricca-Riding has outstanding industry experience. Claire understands the clients’ businesses in the specialist waste industry. She has in-depth knowledge of waste regulation, and also experience as a litigator.

‘The firm has a wide range of in-house expertise and is able to offer valuable advice and legal services across a number of areas. This includes CPO advice and technical planning advice as well as wider property-related support.’

‘SPB has a very impressive grasp of both the tactical side of conducting planning appeals, and the importance of giving practical commercial advice. In the most recent case in which I was instructed by them, they ran a very tight ship and the process ran smoothly to a very successful conclusion.’

‘Excellent at planning law.’

‘A mix of international reach with local knowledge and an accessible, practical approach. A wide-ranging infrastructure practice that routinely tackles the esoteric makes for a nimble team with more original and pragmatic insights.’

‘First-rate lawyers with in-depth knowledge of the subject.’

‘TLT are more innovative than most other law firms and are keen to explore better ways of working. e.g. Always keen to explore digital methods of service delivery to improve the customer experience. Agile in how they manage the CPO process which usually results in efficiency gains and better control on cost to the client.’

‘Debbie Reynolds has a broad understanding of the key issues requiring focus in order to achieve the successful delivery of the CPO process. She ensures this focus extends to project stakeholders and all are on the same page with timely prompts and encouragement. She therefore usually assumes the role of project coordinator with the willing acceptance of the project team, the client in particular.’

‘Debbie Reynolds has been my primary contact at TLT and she is an absolutely first-rate planning and CPO lawyer with a particular emphasis on the public sector – I strongly recommend her.’