Ms Janet May > Paris Smith LLP > Southampton, England > Lawyer Profile
Paris Smith LLP Offices
NUMBER ONE LONDON ROAD
SOUTHAMPTON
SO15 2AE
England
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Ms Janet May
Work Department
Property
Position
LLP Partner and Head of Planning
Career
I lead the Planning Consultancy and Planning Legal team comprising both chartered planners and planning lawyers. With over 25 years’ experience gained in both public sector and private practice, I specialise in a wide range of planning and environmental legal matters. I have supported a number of clients from the public, private and third sector, these have included housing developers, charities, utility companies, local planning authorities and the sport and leisure sector. I work alongside Jane Rarok Principal Planning Consultant, providing legal advice to the horticulture, farming and wine industry when owners are considering either developing or diversifying to provide new income streams by the change of use of redundant farm buildings. This may take the form of Certificates of Lawfulness for proposed and existing uses, or interpretation of permitted development rights relevant to farms, small holdings, equestrian and vineyards. In addition I have experience of advising on and drafting Section 106 Agreements, Section 278 and Section 38 (Highways) Agreements, Section 104 Agreements (Water Industry Act). Of late I have been advising landowners who are setting aside areas of land to provide for nitrate and phosphate credits to developer purchasers through Nitrate and Phosphate Credit Allocation Agreements and also Slow Worm translocation Agreements. With a family background in soft fruit growing I understand the pressures on farmers and those working in the horticultural industry who face the need to maximise their assets through the planning system. My key areas of specialism include: I have extensive project management experience gained through high-profile projects and contentious commissions which have included the Dibden Bay Public Inquiry, West Quay Shopping Centre, St Mary’s Stadium, the home of Southampton Football Club and the Ageas Bowl, Home of Hampshire Cricket. As former joint head of Legal at Southampton City Council, leading the major projects and environmental legal team, I have extensive experience of local authority practice which has enabled me to develop both positive and successful working relationships with our local authority clients. I am an advocate of supporting local businesses and emerging markets, providing them with the planning legal and consultancy support they require in ensuring they are resilient and maximising their revenue potential.
Memberships
I am an Associate Member of the Institution of Environmental Management and Assessment, and a Business and Professional Member of the CLA.
Lawyer Rankings
South East > Real estate > Commercial property: Hampshire
The Paris Smith LLP property and planning group is singled out by one client as ‘the perfect place to go for expert advice‘, covering the full spectrum of real estate work for major names within the property finance, leisure, and public sectors. John Mansell leads from the Southampton office, bringing extensive expertise on land acquisition and disposals to the group, while the ‘fantastic’ Joanne Spittles regularly handles complex development matters and acquisitions. Rachel Saint focuses on development agreements and conditional contracts, and Winchester-based Stuart Allen deals with structured lending proposals. Claire Long specialises in landlord and tenant issues, while Janet May boasts over 25 years’ experience in the public and private sector. Lisa Busby routinely advises technology companies, while Hannah Winchester acts for national retailers. Sean Hogan is another key contact.
Lawyer Rankings
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Real estate > Commercial property: Hampshire
- Employment > Employment: Hampshire
- Private client > Family: Hampshire
Firm Rankings
- Finance > Banking and finance
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Hampshire
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Hampshire
- Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire
- Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Real estate > Property litigation