Now headed by a core planning and environment lawyer following the arrival in July 2024 of Alex Madden from Thrings LLP, and also leveraging considerable resources from the firm’s commercial property and construction offerings, Hugh James provides advice to a range of private and public sector clients. Madden’s broad expertise includes contentious and advisory work, spanning Section 106 agreements between developers and planning authorities, as well as planning appeals, planning enforcement and challenges to appeal decisions in the High Court and judicial review proceedings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is personable and client focused.'
- 'Alex Madden is a good operator with excellent client management.'
- 'Alex Madden is extremely knowledgeable and professional. He maintains a strong relationship with his clients.'
- 'Alex Madden is very knowledgeable and always "thinks outside of the box" to find innovative solutions to often complex matters. He is proactive in his approach whilst being able to explain matters in straight forward terms that client's understand.'
Key clients
- Blue Cedar Homes
- HB Thomas & Son (Carmarthen) Ltd
- Wilcom Estates Limited
- Johnstone Land (South West) Ltd
- E G Carter & Co Ltd
- M&J Gaymer
- Cenin Renewables
- Ely Mill Development Company Limited
- Great Point Studios Limited
- Wain Homes
- Wain Estates
Work highlights
Advised Blue Cedar Homes Ltd on the mitigation of Community Infrastructure Levy liability through the use of 'In Use Building Credit'.
Instructed by several Local Authorities in Wales in respect of housing development and regeneration of brownfield sites and sites which have been stalled for development due to contamination issues.
Advising Wain Homes in respect of a s106 agreement for a site in Stroud which is to be determined at appeal by the Planning Inspectorates.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Alex Madden
Other key lawyers
Peter Hurn; Caroline O’Flaherty