The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > South West > Planning

The planning and compulsory purchase team at Burges Salmon LLP has a particular strength in acting for clients in the public and quasi-public space, such as local councils and national bodies (including Highways England). The group advises on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) at all stages from the pre-application phase up to the post-construction period; NSIPs work is an area of specialism for Elizabeth Dunn and Julian Boswall. The ‘very experienced strategist’ Patrick Robinson focuses on energy-related aspects of planning work, with a particular emphasis on nuclear and renewables. Practice head Gary Soloman advises clients on regeneration projects, large-scale developments and highway proposals. Elsewhere, the department also handles judicial reviews and statutory challenges. Senior associates Paula McGeady and Stephen Humphreys are also recommended.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's 'unique' planning and infrastructure team focuses on undertaking work for clients active in the energy, transport, waste, and housing industries. Work for public sector entities is another pillar of the practice, with the firm acting for local authorities and public sector organisations. In addition to handling a wide ambit of non-contentious planning matters, the group demonstrates strong capabilities in judicial reviews, planning litigation and planning inquiries. The ‘very knowledgeable’ department head Jonathan Bower focuses on regeneration projects. Richard Guyatt, who is ‘a brilliant and imaginative thinker’, has recently advised clients on development consent orders for large infrastructure schemes.

Ashfords LLP stands out for its planning offering in the public sector; the team advises local authorities on a full range of issues, such as section 106 agreements, lawful development certificates and enforcement, general conduct and decision-making powers. Elsewhere, other clients include housebuilders and developers. Also notable is that the group is experienced in judicial reviews, appeals and challenges to planning inspectors’ decisions. Graham Cridland is the head of the team. In addition to handling contentious planning work, David Richardson assists clients with residential and mixed-use developments, among other matters.

Clarke Willmott LLP acts for clients on mixed-use development schemes, residential-led developments and infrastructure projects. In addition, contentious work is on the increase at the firm, with ‘exceptional lawyer’ Chris Charlton having experience of judicial review challenges at the Planning Court, among other matters. The group’s wide-ranging client base includes established housebuilders, commercial developers, landowners and promoters. The ‘proactive and extremely competent’ Neil Baker, who heads up the department, has extensive experience of handling complex planning applications. Caroline Waller has ‘top-class’ knowledge of town and country planning and highways law.

TLT handles a broad cross-section of planning work for developers, financial institutions, minerals and waste operators, public bodies, private landowners and individuals. Its team is particularly highly reputed in contentious planning matters and judicial review risk assessments. Practice head Katherine Evans is praised by clients for being ‘a great negotiator’.

Bevan Brittan LLP acts for a growing client base of housing associations, health organisations and local authorities. Led by practice head Kathryn Lawrance, the team focuses on non-contentious work, which includes advising clients on complex development and regeneration projects (often involving joint venture structures). Although the group is based in Bristol, it regularly operates in all four of the firm's offices nationwide.

Davitt Jones Bould's exclusive focus on real estate puts it on a strong footing to advise clients on related planning issues. In addition to having a strong presence in the South West market, its team handles planning projects further afield nationwide. It advises on regeneration projects and compulsory purchase orders. The group's client base includes established City clients, as well as landowners and local authorities. Robin de Wreede, who divides time between London and Taunton, advises on large urban regeneration projects.

At Michelmores LLP, key sectors of expertise of the planning team include real estate, marine, manufacturing, and energy and renewables. The department is also very active in the public sector, in which it represents a number of local authorities on matters concerning planning obligations, assets of community value, neighbourhood planning and general public authority decisions. The team has developed a niche in coastal development work and marine licensing and planning. Practice head Mark Howard advises on a wide range of environmental, commercial and regulatory matters.

DAC Beachcroft LLP's team has extensive expertise in the development space, where it acts for a wide range of housebuilders and commercial developers. The practice assists clients with drafting and negotiating section 106 agreements for residential and mixed-use development projects, as well as highways and other infrastructure agreements. In addition, it has expertise in permitted development rights, classes and planning charges. Beyond its work in the development sector, the team regularly supports other departments in relation to matters involving areas such as retail, finance and investment, insurance and the public sector. Department head Anne Harrison, who is ‘an outstanding lawyer’, has overseen the growth of the planning practice. Legal director Karen Howe joined from Clarke Willmott LLP.

Foot Anstey advises on a wide-ranging scope of planning law issues concerning highways law, compulsory purchase advice, heritage law, advertisement regulations, listed building legislation and judicial reviews. Its team has particularly extensive experience of the planning aspects of large development schemes. The varied client base includes regional and national developers, housebuilders, councils, landed estates and private clients. Tim Taylor, who is a qualified chartered surveyor, heads up the group.

Thrings LLP has seen a growth in mandates from landowners and residential developers. Its planning department represents clients in challenges at the High Court (including statutory appeals and judicial reviews) and appeals against enforcement measures. Non-contentious work covers residential and mixed-use development schemes, planning and infrastructure agreements, and due diligence, among other matters. Practice head Alex Madden has developed a reputation as ‘an expert in rural planning’. The wider group is also active in the waste, quarries and renewables sectors. Cross-border planning work is a common feature of the practice, which is owed to the firm's strong presence in Wales.