We advise public and private sector clients on all aspects of planning strategy and applications, from pre-application engagement and site assessment through to planning committee, the discharge of conditions and beyond. For complex or contested schemes, we provide clear strategic guidance to maximise the prospects of success and help clients develop an effective path through the planning system.

If your planning application has been refused, our planning appeal lawyers can advise on the full range of appeal routes available to you – from written representations to hearings and public inquiries. Our team of in-house barristers can attend court on short notice and provide advocacy for planning inquiries.

We advise on planning section 106 agreements and CIL across all types and scales of development. Our experience includes framework section 106 agreements for large phased schemes where multiple applications will come forward over time.

We also advise on affordable housing and use classes across the full range of development types, including requirements arising from section 106 obligations, viability assessments and tenure mix negotiations.

We advise on compulsory purchase orders and appropriation. We act for both acquiring authorities and those affected by compulsory purchase proceedings, advising on the full CPO process from promotion and confirmation through to compensation claims. Our recent experience includes projects involving multiple land acquisitions, government funding arrangements, compulsory purchase, complex and bespoke infrastructure agreements and planning obligations.

We also advise on development consent orders for nationally significant infrastructure projects, including major road and energy schemes.

We advise on habitats law, EIA and SEA in the planning context, ensuring development projects meet their statutory environmental requirements. Our team supports a number of local authorities and non-departmental public bodies upon planning law, environmental law, judicial review and risk management issues.

We advise on planning enforcement matters, waste, certificates of lawful use and use classes. Our advice covers retrospective planning applications, enforcement notices, stop notices, enforcement appeals and compliance with planning conditions, as well as strategic advice to local authorities operating their enforcement functions.

We also advise on judicial review proceedings arising from planning decisions, covering both applicants and public decision-makers. This includes advice on risk, pre-action correspondence, interim relief and representation in the Administrative Court. Our experience includes advising Croydon Council's planning team on judicial review matters and providing training to planning committee members.

We also advise on public rights of way and highways matters in the context of development, including stopping up orders, dedication agreements and adoption agreements, as well as the interface between highway law and major infrastructure consenting.