The ‘consistently strong’ practice at Mills & Reeve LLP ’balances strategy with immaculate attention to detail’. The firm-wide planning group has a strong nexus in East Anglia, handling national and, increasingly, international projects for strategic land promoters, large developers, strategic landowners, investors, funds, major corporates, and public sector bodies. The ‘approachable and attentive’ Peter Seaborn in Cambridge leads the group. Also in Cambridge, Caroline Bywater leads on many major strategic planning projects, while Alex Round specialises in large-scale strategic land projects, and Howard Felstead handles residential-led strategic development and commercial investment projects. Consultant Beverley Firth also remains active in key projects, and Hannah Edwards has a wealth of experience in planning and highways law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Consistently strong. Balances strategy with immaculate attention to detail.’
‘Peter Seaborn - approachable and attentive. Nothing gets past Peter.’
‘I have always found the M&R team to be incredibly responsive, commercial and they have always delivered for us and our clients.’
‘We have had a particularly positive experience working with the Planning team (Peter Seaborn, Caroline Bywater). They have incredible knowledge of the Greater Cambridge area and are our go to lawyers, and for a number of clients and strategic projects.’
Key clients
- Urban&Civic
- Marshall Group Properties Ltd
- University of Cambridge
- Trinity College, Cambridge
- Mission Street
- Brookgate
- Queens’ College, Cambridge
- Axis Land Partnerships Ltd
- Railpen
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Folkestone & Hythe District Council
Work highlights
Advising Urban&Civic on the planning proposals at Alconbury Weald, Cambridgeshire, to increase the scale of the settlement to 6,500 homes.
Advising Railpen on the major redevelopment of the Beehive Centre, a large retail park in Cambridge for a new local centre and community uses together with substantial office and R&D floorspace.
Advising Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on its new cancer hospital in Cambridge.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Caroline Bywater
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Howard Felstead
Practice head
Peter Seaborn
Other key lawyers
Howard Felstead; Caroline Bywater; Beverly Firth; Alex Round, Hannah Edwards,