B P Collins LLP‘s environment and planning team handles a range of environmental work across sectors including corporate and commercial, regulation, and property, with expertise in both non-contentious advisory work and contentious litigation. The team support clients in site acquisition and management, logistics, regulatory compliance, and disputes including judicial reviews. Team head Alex Zachary is especially experienced in waste management and recycling, renewable energy, and corporate transactions. David Smellie is another key contact for clients in the waste sector. Craig Williams leads on contentious matters, while Alison Taylor handles high-value commercial lease transactions for both landlords and tenants in the environmental sector. Jonothan Moss is also a key contact, specialising in environmental breach litigation, where he has appeared before the Supreme Court.
Environment and planning in South East
B P Collins LLP
Practice head(s):
Alex Zachary
Other key lawyers:
David Smellie; Craig Williams; Alison Taylor; Jonothan Moss
Testimonials
‘In every case we work on together it is nothing but the highest standard of instructions, communication and attention to detail. All members of the team are strictly professional but very approachable and thorough, they are an absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘Jonothan Moss is first class and goes above and beyond for his clients. His enthusiasm and attention to detail has always me, no stone is left unturned.’
‘They are very well integrated providing a tailored service of exactly what is needed without any overlap. I rate the firm as excellent.’
‘I have only worked in detail with Jonothan Moss; he has good vision to identify solutions to problems and is well focused with polite persistence to ensure that solutions are delivered. Jonothan has an excellent understanding of the various regulatory regimes and has plenty of experience and wisdom to resolve problems.’
‘The firm has a decades long track-record of environmental work covering waste-management and water regulation. They were in this market long before it became fashionable and have an outstanding depth of knowledge and commercial appreciation of the sector.’
Key clients
The Biffa Group
Summerleaze Group (including Summerleaze Limited and Andigestion Limited
Ice Energy Technologies
i2O Water Limited
2K Polymer Systems Limited
Blandy & Blandy LLP
Headed by Karen Jones in Reading, Blandy & Blandy LLP‘s planning and environmental team handles a range of work, with notable work in the last year including a large-scale town centre redevelopment, ecology enforcement, and the planning and regulatory implications of a nitrate credit scheme. Jones is also adept at handling all aspects of section 106 agreements, where she acts for clients ranging from home developers and estates to film studios. On the environmental side, she boasts experience in carbon offsetting, water neutrality, and biodiversity net gain.
Practice head(s):
Karen Jones
Testimonials
‘Karen Jones is a standout partner.’
‘A competent team who provide speedy and reliable advice.’
‘Karen Jones is a leader in her field. She is hardworking, accessible, knowledgeable and provides strategic assistance.’
‘To assist with our case, we had involvement from a trainee solicitor, solicitor and a partner which gave an outstanding balance of experience.’
‘Karen Jones bought unprecedented experience.’
‘Karen Jones – extremely professional and great to deal with.’
Key clients
Hargreaves Homes Limited
University of Reading
R Collard Limited
Elegant Homes Reading Limited
Turner Estates Limited
Englefield Estate Trust Corporation Limited
Rumsby Homes Limited
Cove Construction Limited
Bourne Homes Limited
Donnington Hospital Trust
Farmglade Limited
Work highlights
- Advised in connection with CPO proceedings for acquisition of land to implement the A284 Lyminster Bypass North road improvement proposals.
- Advised on a proposed modification requiring republication of a Bridleway Diversion Order.
- Acted on enforcement appeals relating to whether the retention or removal of bund work would have significant ecological and environmental impacts.
Cripps
Cripps' environment and planning team acts for clients from developers and land promoters to local authorities. Planning work includes long-term strategic advice and negotiating section 106 and development deals. On the environmental side, the firm’s lawyers are increasingly well equipped to handle complex matters involving nitrate and phosphate neutrality and biodiversity net gain. Beth Gascoyne recently moved up to team lead and has notable experience with complex judicial review and appeals cases, in addition to her development work. Her predecessor as head of team, Jason Towell, remains fully active, and handles large urban extension projects as well as advising on leisure and retail schemes.
Practice head(s):
Beth Gascoyne
Other key lawyers:
Jason Towell
Testimonials
‘The whole Cripps team is excellent. Very knowledgeable and very responsive. I would give them a ten out of ten.’
‘Jason Towell. Excellent attention to detail and focus on a legal document that delivers the best commercial outcome for the client. Prepared to go above and beyond to meet deadlines set by an Inspector and meet the challenges presented by covid in getting signed documents delivered to deadlines.’
‘Strength in depth with a thorough knowledge of the law paired with a personable approach. Cripps work as exceptional and collaborative team members, providing proactive and timely laser sharp advice. Their loyal client base is testament to the excellent delivery of their services.’
‘Jason Towell’s knowledge of planning law is exceptional. He provides clear, unambiguous and high quality advice with natural charm and charisma. He works brilliantly with clients whether they are experienced or need more of a ‘guiding hand’.’
‘Beth Gascoyne is an excellent planning lawyer. She is very attentive to her clients’ needs and has deservedly built a loyal client base. She combines a personable approach with a deep knowledge of planning law and is a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Barratt Homes
Berkeley Homes (Eastern Counties) Limited
Bulwark Limited
Cadogan
F C Stark Limited
F D Attwood & Partners
Federated Hermes
KD Attwood & Partners
Kennedy Wilson Europe
Persimmon Homes Limited
Redrow Homes Limited
Sevenoaks District Council
Trenport Investments Limited
Wates Developments Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Wates Developments and Redrow Homes’ Section 106 agreement for 1,500 dwelling garden town development in Bicester.
- Advising Hillreed Homes and Ward Homes Limited on development of 1,360 dwellings as part of a mixed-use urban extension of Aylesham Village near Dover.
- Acting for Sevenoaks District Council in the negotiation of a s106 agreement in connection with an application for 340 Dwellings, land for a 4FE secondary school, land for a community facility and improvements to the town railway station.
DMH Stallard LLP
Led by Heidi Copland, DMH Stallard LLP planning and environment team offers support to clients in a broad range of areas, from planning consultancy, appeals, and litigation to enforcement appeals and prosecution, environmental litigation and regulatory compliance, and compulsory purchase orders and compensation. Copland is especially experienced in handling major housebuilding schemes, including those relating to affordable housing. Chloe Karamian is known for her work on highways and rights of way, as well as handling both planning and environmental issues relating to large-scale development projects. Peter Rainier is the principal director of planning, while associate planner Daniel Frisby has experience in environmental assessment and planning applications. All named lawyers are based in Gatwick.
Practice head(s):
Heidi Copland
Other key lawyers:
Chloe Karamian; Peter Rainier; Daniel Frisby
Testimonials
‘DMH Stallard are exceptional. I have only praise from my dealings with them.’
‘Heidi Copland has been amazing. She is very approachable and personable. I cannot fault her.’
‘Chloe Karamian is really on top of things – a pleasure to work with and always good at picking up on key points of detail.’
‘Heidi Copland and Peter Rainier continue to front a reliable team of planning experts.’
‘Heidi Copland is hugely knowledgeable and effective at resolving planning disputes. Chloe Karamian is a strong litigator.’
‘Heidi Copland inspires total confidence. Totally across the detail and a great pleasure to work with. Chloe Karamian is a total star. Completely dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the client. A fantastic eye for detail – a perfectionist.’
‘They are a great team to work with.’
‘Their dynamic group of solicitors work with in-house planners are always great fun to work with. Highly competent, but also innovative and creative – willing to have a go on difficult matters, and win. Heidi Copland is a steady hand with huge experience and ability, Chloe Karamian is a clear thinking lawyer with an excellent legal brain.’
Key clients
Astindale Developments
Astoria Brighton LLP
Barton Bridging Capital Ltd
Basin Properties Ltd
Bluebird House Developments Ltd
Boughtonwood Homes Ltd
Brookworth Homes
Cala Homes
Chartwell Land and New Homes
Concept Developments
Copperwood Developments
Countryside Properties
Crawley Borough Council
Crest Nicholson
Cross Homes (Sussex)
Dalehurst Developments Ltd
David Appleby Engineering Limited
English National Opera
Gleeson Strategic Land
Greenplan Designer Homes
Greymoor Homes Ltd
Henry Construction Projects
Keepmoat Homes Ltd
Kier Construction Limited
Lancing College
Longden Ltd
Mersten Ltd
Millwood Designer Homes
Muse Developments Limited
Newhaven Port and Properties Limited
New Place Associates Ltd
OCL Regeneration Ltd
Orbit Homes
Oxted Residential Limited
Pricewatch Limited
Remmus Homes
Reside Holdings
Roffey Football Club
Round Tree Development Ltd
Persimmon Homes
Sage Housing
Sancus Lending (Jersey) Ltd
Shanly Homes Ltd
Sigma Homes
Sweeptech Environmental
The Community Stadium Limited / Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
Taylor Wimpey
Trade Skills4U Ltd
Trail Riders Fellowship
Treeview Ltd
Verizun Land and Developments
Wealden & Rother District Councils
Welbeck Strategic Land
Withdean Commercial Property Ltd
Woking Borough Council
Work highlights
- Acted for and advised on the section 106 agreement required for the redevelopment of an existing social housing site at Stroudley Walk in Tower Hamlets, a scheme comprising 4 buildings (including a 25 storey building) with 274 new homes for (50% are affordable), commercial use and new public space.
- Secured the quashing of a traffic regulation order insofar as it related to motorcycles by consent, pursuant to a Statutory Review.
- Acted for the joint legal service team in respect of a considerable number of s106 agreements concerning major redevelopment projects or housing schemes involving complex bespoke drafting and negotiation.
Holmes & Hills
Operating out of the firm's newly opened commercial hub on the A12, Holmes & Hills' planning and development department boasts a sizeable and experienced team with experience spanning contentious and non-contentious work. Practice head Steven Hopkins focuses primarily on contentious work, where he acts on matters including disputes relating to planning permission and statutory and high court challenges to local authority decisions. Michael Harman is a specialist in claims relating to blight and contemporary purchase orders, which have been especially significant in relation to large infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Heathrow airport. Senior associate Joanna Lilliott is especially renowned for her experience handling section 106 agreements, where she advises clients including local planning authorities, developers, and landowners. Solicitor Sarah Hare is also a key contact in this area.
Practice head(s):
Steven Hopkins
Other key lawyers:
Michael Harman; Joanna Lilliott; Sarah Hare
Testimonials
‘With a bespoke planning team, this firm offers specialist planning advice and support that many firms cannot. They are up to speed on case law and can respond swiftly when need be. A friendly team that speak in non-planning speak for those who don’t understand, whilst being affordable. I’d recommend and do, to many clients.’
‘The practice is multi-disciplinary and so all of my needs as a town planning consultant, and those of my clients, are met seamlessly. The practice has a large, diverse team of solicitors and legal practitioners and can cover all aspects of development related law and practice, from land registration and sales contract matters through advocacy in planning appeals (particularly hearings and public inquiries) to statutory and judicial reviews and county and high court action, and everything in between.’
‘We regularly work with Holmes & Hills and have done for a number of years. The practice has strength in depth and can provide advice on a variety of planning issues including Section 106 Agreements and statutory reviews, with an encyclopedic knowledge of case law.’
‘The team has a broad range of excellent commercial legal knowledge.’
‘Steven Hopkins has a very wide range of experience across these fields of work. He is supported by Jo Lilliott and Sarah Hare who have extensive experience on advising on, negotiating, drafting and completing planning obligations as well as advising on public law generally.’
‘We work most often with Michael Harman, we consider his wealth of knowledge and expertise invaluable in informing planning legal matters and strategy on our complex projects. His planning legal knowledge covers a wide area of planning law and he is able to expertly advise on a broad range of planning related matters with authority. We consider his work a key component to successful outcomes on our often challenging projects.’
‘Joanne Lilliot is proactive, dilligent and extremely competent.’
‘Steven Hopkins managed a complexed planning appeal from start to finish and made the whole process very easy with his hard work and professionalism. He was very good at explaining matters in a way which was easy to understand. Sarah Hare assisted Steven Hopkins and was constantly communicating with us and keeping us updated with our case and was always willing to go the extra mile. Both were very easy to work with and it was a pleasure to have instructed them.’
Key clients
Pelham Structures Limited
Burnham Waters Ltd
Braintree District Council
Colchester Borough Council
Harlow District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council
Andrew Martin Planning
Aspire Luxury Homes Limited
Chelmsford Cars & Commercials Limited
Colchester United Hospitality Limited
Fristling Hall Farm Limited
George Tanner (Shalford) Limited
Hadleigh Bakery Limited
Hills Residential Limited
Humphreys & Sons
Lansbury Developments Limited
Parker Planning Services Ltd
Phase 2 Planning & Development Limited
Rochford District Council
Rose Builders (Properties) Limited
Scott Properties
Smart Planning Limited
The Landscape Company (South East) Ltd
Trustees of Marks Hall Estate
Wickford Development Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Colchester Borough Council in respect of advising on, negotiating and drafting 12 S106 Agreements.
- Acting for a developer in respect of contesting planning obligations with claim issued in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.
- Acting for a material number of property, land and business owners affected by the A12 widening infrastructure project in respect of strategic advice concerning Blight claims.
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell‘s planning and environment team works across the firm’s offices in the South East and beyond to provide a full-spectrum service to clients, with a particular focus on large, mixed-use regeneration and development projects. Nicola Gooch heads the South East planning offering from the Gatwick office, and has experience in areas including contentious planning and judicial review, nitrate and nutrient neutrality, permitted development and conversion, and the community infrastructure levy. James Pavey leads on rural matters, where he focuses on contentious work, with experience appearing before the high court and Supreme Court, as well as acting as an advocate at hearings and inquiries. He is especially well known for his work in rural planning, heritage buildings, and farm diversification. Associate Sejal Patel, meanwhile, is building a strong reputation with a broad practice covering urban regeneration and redevelopment, complex planning agreements, and strategic land and housing sites.
Practice head(s):
Claire Petricca-Riding; Nicola Gooch
Other key lawyers:
James Pavey; Sejal Patel
Testimonials
‘Great and responsive team. I really enjoyed collaborating with them in a way which gave the whole team working on the project confidence. I liked their timely and efficient responses. I thought they were excellent at negotiating matters well during highly time pressured environments.’
‘Nicola Gooch is an excellent lawyer, strategically minded, offering practical solutions to complex problems. I look forward to working with her again in the near future.’
‘We feel that the practice have a genuine interest in ensuring our business succeeds, in helping us to navigate the various legal challenges whilst also having in mind the needs of our business.’
‘Sejal Patel and Nicola Gooch are both excellent, nothing is ever too much trouble and no question from us is ever considered stupid! They always have the success of our business in mind, are efficient and quick to deal with matters and speak in a very open and honest way at a level we can understand.’
Key clients
Artisan Developments
Jaspar Group
Chase New Homes Limited
Seaward Homes
HSBC UK Bank PLC
Lifestory
EC1 Residences
Henry Davidson Developments Limited
Persimmon Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Advising on the conversion of the former Everard’s Print Works, a historically significant building in Bristol, into mixed use development scheme comprising a 255 bed hotel, residential units and flexible use commercial space.
- Advising on a complex s.106 Agreement for the large mixed use development of a former golf course within the High Weald AONB, which is to be determined at Appeal.
- Advising on the regeneration of a former retail site in Leeds to form a mixed-use development comprising 263 residential units and flexible commercial floorspace.
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP fields two dedicated teams in environment and planning, boasting a sizeable group of specialist lawyers and a strong regional presence. London-based Karen Howard heads the planning team, while the environment offering is led by Charles Arrand in Milton Keynes. On the planning side, the firm has experience in large-scale mixed-use and residential development projects, with Matthew Stimson and Kara Roberts in Milton Keynes and Grace Mitchell and Matthew Price in Solent all key contacts. The Solent team has particular experience in the novel area of nitrate neutrality. In environmental law, Arrand is supported most notably by partner Philip Ryan and principal associate Joanne Sear, and the team advises on matters ranging from compliance with waste management regulations to vehicle production and emissions.
Practice head(s):
Karen Howard; Charles Arrand
Other key lawyers:
Philip Ryan; Kara Roberts; Grace Mitchell; Joanne Sears; Matthew Stimson; Kayleigh Chapman
Testimonials
‘An excellent environmental practice – focused around nuisance cases – and led by Charles Arrand. The team has huge experience, talent and charm. They are sure-footed guides through the minefield of such litigation. There is no better team anywhere in the country. I have recommended them on a number of occasions – and they have always delivered the goods. Exceptional and excellent.’
‘Charles Arrand – a wise and wily defence practitioner who, as partner, has seen it all before.’
‘Good co-operation between departments. Good advice on environmental matters.’
‘Joanne Sear – ex Environment Agency prosecutor who displays a brilliant grasp of both criminal and regulatory environmental law.’
‘Not just a grasp of the law itself but also an excellent grasp of the regulatory framework in which environmental law sits.’
‘Charles Arrand is at the top of his game. There is no better trusted adviser. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, exceptionally well-tuned litigation antennae and totally sound judgment. If you are in a fight, you want him in your corner. Joanne Sear, a senior associate, goes from strength to strength. She has fabulous instincts, an incredible capacity for work and a great dollop of common sense. She is developing a reputation as a leading light in the field – and a trusted lieutenant to Arrand.’
‘Kayleigh Chapman was particularly efficient and driven in resolving our matter.’
Key clients
Taylor Wimpey
Graham’s The Family Dairy Ltd
McCarthy Stone
Bellway Homes Limited
Buckland Development Limited
Churchill Retirement Living Limited
Frontier Estates Limited
Grainger Plc
H N Butler Farms Limited
King & Co Limited
Perseus Land & Developments Limited
Roke Manor Limited
Tilia Homes Limited
Vistry Homes Limited
Brenntag
Extra Motorway Services
Tingdene Parks
Northwood Investors
Epiris Managers
IKEA
Grainger
Work highlights
- Advised Buckland Development Limited in connection with their 6,000 home mixed use garden village known as Welborne.
- Advised a major national logistics company threatened with a private prosecution for breach of a trade effluent consent, and persuaded the regulator to agree that the company make a significant charitable donation in exchange for the withdrawal of proceedings.
- Advised Five Arrows on the environmental aspects of its acquisition of a drugs discovery business based in the UK.
Stevens & Bolton LLP
Headed by esteemed partner Valerie Fogleman in Guildford, Stevens & Bolton LLP's dedicated environment team is known for its expertise in issues including land and soil contamination, water pollution, and damage to natural resources, as well as associated insurance and liability issues. In addition to advising companies on environmental and climate change law more broadly, Fogleman leads on a significant ongoing project for the European Commission concerning the evaluation and enforcement of the Environmental Liability Directive.
Practice head(s):
Valerie Fogleman
Testimonials
‘The quality of advice and knowledge of the sector provided by the firm is on the highest level. The firm stands out from other with its professionalism and practical experience combined with the deep legal knowledge.’
‘I worked with Valerie Fogleman of Stevens & Bolton LLP on issues related to environmental liability. I highly value her huge practical experience and the theoretical knowledge. I appreciate a lot her professionalism and expertise.’
Key clients
AXA XL
Dencora Securities Ltd
RPA Europe srl (sub-contract pursuant to a framework contract with the European Commission)
Work highlights
- Carrying out a project on ‘Facilitating Enforcement of the ELD by Competent Authorities’ for the European Commission, at its invitation.
- Carrying out a project: ‘Study in Support of the Evaluation of the Environmental Liability Directive and its Implementation’ as part of a consortium that has a framework contract with the European Commission.
- Advising AXA XL, a global insurance and reinsurance company, on complex claims against environmental insurance policies.
Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors
Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors’ Town and Country planning team provides strategic advice and assistance to both local authorities and private developers. Practice head Salvatore Amico, based in Hertford, handles the full range of matters, and is especially well regarded for his expertise in article 4 work and drafting and negotiating section 106 agreements. The team has an impressive success rate in planning and enforcement appeals, and has gained a reputation for its ability to handle complex cases such as those involving onshore wind farms.
Practice head(s):
Salvatore Amico
Testimonials
‘The team is always easy to work with, helpful and efficient.’
‘I work with Salvatore Amico in particular and have done many cases with him over the years. He is very knowledgeable, always friendly and helpful. He works especially hard for the client to find solutions to their problems.’
‘The team are very friendly and approachable and maintain regular contact with contacts. They understand what the client is aiming to achieve and work with the client to achieve the best possible outcome.’
‘Salvatore Amico went the extra mile to ensure that we were in a position to meet deadline dates.’
‘Cheerful and helpful team with considerable experience and practical knowledge of planning and environment law.’
‘I have done a lot of work with Salvatore Amico. He is very professional and always available to provide advice. The work is done to a high standard and within deadlines.’
‘Salvatore Amico is very helpful, well prepared and willing to provide alternative insights to planning principles. He is very proactive and able to think outside the box. He is also eager to help on all scales of projects.’
‘Salvatore Amico is always helpful and knowledgable in respect of planning law and policy, with particular emphasis on S106 planning obligations.’
Key clients
Dacorum
Three Rivers Council
Kettering District Council
Corby Council
Hertsmere District Council
Tewkesbury Borough Council
Gloucester Borough Council
BDB Pitmans
BDB Pitmans‘ planning, infrastructure and public law team advises on matters including section 106 agreements, highways and rights of way, assets of community value, and the community infrastructure levy. Reading-based Christina Daniels leads the team, with specialisms in residential and mixed-use developments (including affordable housing), village greens, and assets of community value. Chris Holmes, also in Reading, was promoted to senior associate in 2021, and handles all aspects of planning, highway, and infrastructure matters.
Practice head(s):
Christina Daniels
Other key lawyers:
Chris Holmes
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable and focused on objectives.’
‘Very quick and focused responses to queries. Christina Daniels and Chris Holmes are a very effective team and communicate very clearly.’
‘Deep understanding of the public sector and massive strengthen in depth.’
‘Really good team who provide invaluable and knowledgeable advice and support, taking the lead on complex cases.’
‘Christina Daniels is someone who I have worked with for many years on a range of planning projects. She is someone I trust to find solutions and steer the project through any legal issues from Section 106 to Judicial Review. Chris Holmes is part of the same team and is also an excellent and professional person to work with.’
Key clients
CALA Group
Countryside Properties (UK) Limited
Highwood Group
Millgate Developments Limited
Shanly Homes Limited/Sorbon Estates Limited
Bewley Homes PLC
Ashill Land Limited
Deanfield Homes Limited
Fairview Homes Limited
Vanderbilt Homes Limited
JPP Land Limited
Peabody Developments Limited
Hesmond Stud Limited
Bioregional Hill LLP/Hill Residential Limited
Palatine Homes Limited
Danecroft Developments Limited
East Suffolk Council
Blake Morgan LLP
Blake Morgan LLP’s highly regarded planning team operates nationally, with presence in the South East through the firm’s offices in Reading, Oxford, and Southampton. London-based Amardip Healy heads the team, and brings broad experience in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious planning. The team advises on the full spectrum of planning-related matters, including complex multiuse developments and contentious planning and heritage enforcement. It also provides advice and support to clients on environmental matters such as grassland preservation and flood alleviation. Keith Lancaster, also based in London, brings a range of experience, and negotiates and drafts all planning and highways agreements. Senior associate Victoria Charlesson joined in November 2021, and is based in the firm’s Reading office, where she handles a range of work for clients including developers, high net-worth individuals, and social housing providers.
Practice head(s):
Amardip Healy
Other key lawyers:
Victoria Charlesson; Keith Lancaster; Sadie Pitman
Key clients
Transport for Wales
Investec
Work highlights
- Represent Geoffrey and Peter Carpenter and secured a refusal for a Development Consent Order with compulsory purchase powers.
- Representing Meadow Residential as they seek to evolve their practice from a developer to that of a mortgagee.
- Representing Mr Keeling, the primary objector to a compulsory purchase scheme being promoted by National Highways.
Clarke Willmott LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP's Southampton-based South East planning and environment team advises mainly on large development projects for local planning authorities, social housing providers, housebuilders, and commercial developers. National team lead Neil Baker splits his time between the Southampton and Bristol offices, and has expertise in specialist areas such as urban regeneration projects and industrial, waste, and mineral installations alongside his broad experience with residential and commercial development. Partner Caroline Waller is another key contact, especially well known for her work on planning applications and appeals and common land and town and village green issues. Senior associate Anne Jones is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Neil Baker
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Waller; Anne Jones
Testimonials
‘Neil Baker is very thorough with a real appetite for the detail. A structured mind with a real sense of strategic priorities.’
Key clients
Abri (formerly Radian/Yarlington)
Acorn Property Group
Aster Group
Clarion Housing Group
Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd
GreenSquare Group
Heylo Housing Ltd
Isle of Wight Council
Merlin Housing Society
Metropolitan Housing Trust
Moat Housing Group Ltd
New Forest District Council
One Housing
Origin Housing
Paradigm Housing Group
Persimmon Homes South Coast
Questmap Ltd
Sovereign Group
Work highlights
- Ongoing advice to New Forest District Council/New Forest National Park on a complex Section 106 Agreement for the major redevelopment of former Fawley Power Station site for residential, commercial and employment uses.
- Advising Southern Housing Group on a major planning appeal and inquiry relating to the erection of three 100 metre towers in Bromley -by-law, London.
- Advising Persimmons Homes in connection with a planning appeal into a major mixed-use development scheme south of the A30 in Shaftsbury, Dorset.
EMW Law LLP
The Milton Keynes-based planning team at EMW Law LLP focuses mainly on residential work, where practice head Marco Mauro is especially well-regarded. He brings a wealth of experience in contentious and non-contentious areas of planning, acting for a diverse client base including housing associations and developers, investors, financial institutions, and occupiers, on issues ranging from strategic planning advice and due diligence to disputes over planning applications and matters requiring judicial review. The team was strengthened in 2021 with the hire of solicitor Paige Bedward.
Practice head(s):
Marco Mauro
Other key lawyers:
Paige Bedward
Testimonials
‘The team are excellent communicators and are always available. We get regular updates on all our transactions.’
‘They were very engaged with our issues and conscientious enough to research the problem and give appropriate advice. We felt we got value for money.’
‘What we have particularly valued from Marco Mauro and Paige Bedward is their commitment to helping us get a successful outcome; their attention to detail and knowledge is outstanding and their ability to quickly understand the issues has been essential when timescales were very tight. They have worked alongside us as a team to achieve our goals.’
Key clients
Abbeygate Developments Limited
Settle Group
Long Itchington Parish Council
Inter MK Limited (property development company of MK Dons)
Paul Newman New Homes Limited
Thrive Homes Limited
Grand Union Housing Group (including Grand Union Housing Limited)
Rectory Homes Limited
Jarvis Homes Limited
Taylor French Developments Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Abbeygate Developments on an ongoing basis in relation to their development of 328 apartments of varying sizes and 1180m2 of commercial space.
- Acted for Grand Union Housing Association in their largest ever s.106 acquisition, comprising 93 affordable units.
- Advising Jarvis Homes in connection with a residential development for 119 new homes, which included the negotiation and completion of a section 106 agreement with complicated phasing provisions.
Lester Aldridge LLP
Based in Southampton and led by Tom Alder, Lester Aldridge LLP’s planning team has a strong reputation for its work with housebuilders, including both regional and national clients. Rebecca Humm is noted for her expertise negotiating and drafting agreements for planning and infrastructure, while Alder provides a wide range of advisory and non-contentious services. The team has increasingly turned to environmental matters in recent years, including natural capital work, assisting with the establishment of a nitrate credit scheme. The firm also offers a niche practice advising port and harbour authorities on regulatory issues.
Practice head(s):
Tom Alder
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Humm
Testimonials
‘Practical lawyers who understand our objectives and develop and maintain very good relationships with other parties.’
‘Tom Alder is able to find practical solutions to unforeseen planning problems. Very good relationships with local authority lawyers.’
‘Able to explain the most complex issues in a simple way. Willing to offer robust advice on development issues such as restrictive covenants.’
Key clients
McCarthy & Stone
Bargate Homes
C & G Properties
Captiva Homes
CHG Developments Limited
Big Yellow Self Storage
Fragrance Group
Dandara Southern
Dicentra Developments
Rangeford Retirement Villages