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England - London Bar
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Planning

Thomas Cosgrove KC

Thomas Cosgrove KC

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Cornerstone Barristers

Cornerstone Barristers is 'one of the leading sets for planning law work'. Members routinely advise public authorities and private clients in a wide range of matters, including complex development disputes, judicial reviews and major planning inquiries. Recent instructions for the group include Thomas Cosgrove KC representing Guildford Borough Council in a planning inquiry into a proposed residential development project on a site in the immediate vicinity of Guildford Cathedral, while Richard Ground KC appeared for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in a called-in planning inquiry concerning planning permission for the development of a prominent film studio within the Green Belt. Ruchi Parekh has 'considerable expertise in planning and environmental law'. Harriet Townsend KC took silk in March 2025.
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Profile

Work Department

Planning and public law

Position

Leading planning and public law barrister appointed King’s Counsel in 2017. His work typically entails leading multi-disciplinary teams of experts in relation to development and infrastructure projects as well as providing early tactical advice and written/oral advocacy at inquiries or in court. Tom aims to add value to his clients’ work and deliver a very high quality service drawing on his extensive experience across a range of sectors.

Tom provides an unstuffy approach that understands his clients and their needs, providing them with clear and comprehensible advice. He has extensive experience of planning inquiries and related high court statutory challenges. Tom acts for both private clients (including several of the leading housing developers) and planning authorities. He has recently been involved in major planning inquiries concerning residential schemes in England and advising private clients on strategic planning in the context of emerging local plans and infrastructure projects.

Tom is regularly instructed in relation to major proposals concerning heritage assets and large scale commercial developments. He has a wealth of experience of large scale renewable energy proposals and of promoting and resisting development proposals in countryside areas of outstanding natural beauty, national parks and the green belt. Tom regularly appears in the higher courts.

Editor and co-author of Cornerstone on the Planning Court.

Career

  • Called 1994, Inner Temple.
  • Appointed Silk in 2017
  • Appointed as Joint Head of Chambers at Cornerstone Barristers since 2020

Memberships

  • Vice-Chair Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA) (2022-)
  • Barrister Governing Bencher of the Inner Temple (2020-)
  • Member of Bar Standards Board Professional Conduct Committee (2013-2017)
  • Administrative and Constitutional Law Bar Association (ALBA)

Education

St Edwards School; Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (1993 BA Hons Law; 1997 MA); Evan Lewis-Thomas Law Scholar 1993.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Daryl Hughes and his team are great to work with.'
  • 'Daryl Hughes' service has been exemplary - timely and highly efficient.'
  • 'Daniel Gatt is a delight to work with - always helpful and accommodating.'
  • 'Very approachable clerks.'
  • 'An excellent set with a first rate reputation, especially for planning law.'
  • 'Cornerstone are able to accommodate any planning-related brief.'
  • 'A well organised set with a depth of planning experience from the very senior silks to juniors.'
  • 'Cornerstone is a well regarded planning and public law set, especially for public authorities.'