The ‘excellent’ Walker Morris LLP assists energy developers, blue chip housing providers, environmentally focused businesses, public bodies, and investment companies on matters related to infrastructure projects, residential and mixed-use developments, employment and logistics schemes, student accommodation buildings, and renewable projects. The ’superb’ team head Richard Sagar handles strategic planning advisory on complex and large-scale planning applications, High Court challenges, and environmental matters. Lee Gordon focuses on major infrastructure and energy projects, new settlements, and strategic residential developments, including garden communities; while Rob Moore brings experience in wide range of planning instructions, from complex planning projects and site promotion through emerging local plans, to planning appeals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Richard Sagar leads a superb team - the best in the north of England with a nationwide following too. He is a superb advocate and the standout partner in the planning field.'
- 'Walker Morris has an excellent reputation in this field and are renowned for their quality of work and proven success rate. They have a forensic approach which leaves no stone unturned! I have worked with Richard Sagar and Rob Moore. All are very professional but also approachable and tell you have it is! They know their profession inside out, are very thorough and get to the heart of issues directly. They are very honest in their assessment of the likely chances of a projects success.'
- 'A strong Yorkshire based offering, that stands out for its approach to local and regional clients and businesses, reflecting and understanding Yorkshire and NE nuances in way that other firms struggle to.'
- 'In my experience, the Walker Morris team are highly professional, dedicated, and will go the extra mile.'
- 'Lee Gordon is knowledgeable, effective and a skilled negotiator. He is a team player and has the ability to cut through issues and find clear solutions for complex problems.'
- 'This team has a collaborative and friendly style that enables an open dialogue to deliver aligned goals and achieve required outcomes. By engaging directly with company objectives and seeking the best outcomes for the client the team engender an environment of openness and trust.'
Key clients
- Asda Stores
- Banks Group
- Bellway Homes
- Crest Nicholson
- Harworth Group
- Henry Boot Developments
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- The Peel Group
- Taylor Wimpey
- Unite Group
- Vistry Group
Work highlights
Advising the 5 Garden Town partner authorities in relation to delivery of Harlow & Gilston Garden Town, the largest garden town project in the country which is to comprise 23,000 dwellings and major infrastructure, including two new river crossings and sustainable transport corridors.
Advising Caddick in the promotion of a new settlement at Maltkiln, Harrogate. The proposed development would provide circa 3000 homes on a 300-acre site. It would create a sustainable new village centred around the existing railway station at Cattal, Maltkiln with associated infrastructure including local centre and education provision as well as improvements to ensure a safe and suitable highway network is delivered.
Advising the Mersey Tidal Energy Project on the promotion of a DCO application for this multi-billion major energy project which is proposed to be the largest tidal energy project in the world. It is a key priority for the Combined Authority and the Mayor (Steve Rotherham).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Lee Gordon
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Rob Moore
Practice head
Richard Sagar
Other key lawyers
Lee Gordon; Rob Moore