Blacks Solicitors LLP

Planning

Partner and Head of Planning

Emma Thomas joined Blacks at the beginning of 2025 as a Partner and Head of Blacks’ Planning team.

Emma qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 and has over 20 years’ experience as a planning lawyer, having previously worked at both regional, national, and international law firms where she has always been based in Leeds.

During her career, Emma has worked with a diverse range of clients including national and regional housebuilders and developers, land promoters, development companies, retail developers, hotel and leisure developers, investment funds, sports clubs, minerals operators, local authorities, and private individuals.

Emma understands that clients require a flexibility of approach and whether acting as part of a wider team or as sole adviser, she seeks to provide strategic and pragmatic advice, based on a full understanding of her clients’ commercial or personal objectives, to help them navigate the intricacies of the planning process.

Emma’s expertise encompasses the interpretation and implementation of planning permissions; planning objections; complex s.106 and infrastructure agreements; Community Infrastructure Levy issues; planning and enforcement appeals; public rights of way; due diligence for development projects; acquisitions and corporate transactions; and advising on judicial review claims including the high level strategic review of applications.

Emma also has specialist experience in objecting to planning applications for telecommunications equipment, including at appeal.