Matt Gilks > Lester Aldridge LLP > Southampton, England > Lawyer Profile

Lester Aldridge LLP
ALLEYN HOUSE
CARLTON CRESCENT
SOUTHAMPTON
SO15 2EU
England

Work Department

Planning

Position

Matt Gilks is a Partner in the Planning team.

Matt is a highly experienced planning and environment solicitor advising on applications, appeals, judicial reviews and transactional work. Matt advises across a plethora of planning and environment matters; ranging from application strategy, planning conditions, enforcement investigations, development consent orders, the Community Infrastructure Levy, compulsory purchase and related public law issues. Non-contentious work includes planning obligations, habitats, nitrates, phosphates and biodiversity net gain.

Matt advises on planning and environmental matters in both spheres of town and country, with a particular focus in recent years on bespoke business and residential development, minerals, heritage development and waste. He advised the Secretary of State on decision-making, judicial review, policy and legislative drafting as a barrister in the Government Legal Service. He has dealt with complex infrastructure and development in London while a solicitor at international law firms and in local government.

Lawyer Rankings

South East > Real estate > Environment and planning

Demonstrating significant strength in handling section 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy, the Lester Aldridge LLP group is highly specialised in all facets of non-contentious planning expertise. The department particularly focuses on housebuilders and developers, supporting them with environmental projects, including a recent phosphate credit mitigation scheme. Tom Alder leads the team from Southampton, regularly advising clients on residential-led, mixed-use schemes and planning appeals. Senior associate Matt Gilks is an expert on planning and environment matters, including nitrates and biodiversity net gain.