Planning & development solicitors
Explore how we can help businesses with their legal requirements around property and land.
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Legislation and planning policy is constantly evolving and if you are a developer, a landowner or objector, it is essential that you obtain the appropriate advice.
From the initial preparation of a planning application through to third party challenges of a final decision, specialist advice from people experienced in all aspects of the planning process is key.
Whether preparing for an initial application, appealing a decision, ensuring planning obligations are carefully drafted, or complying with enforcement notices seeking advice from a specialist and experienced team can help you successfully navigate what can be a complex area of law.
What is planning law?
Planning law is a set of regulations and policies that govern the use of land and buildings. It aims to ensure that development is sustainable, meets the needs of communities, and protects the environment.
What planning services do we offer?
We offer a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of the planning process including:
- Strategic planning/development advice
- Section 106 agreements
- Enforcement
- Highways
- Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO)
- Planning litigation
- Heritage including listed buildings and conservation areas
- Transactional due diligence.
Strategic planning and development
We work closely with other professional advisors to:
- Advise on the overall planning strategy and format from a legal perspective
- Undertake legal audits of the planning application to minimise the chances of a legal challenge
- Draft and advise on the wording and implication of planning conditions
- Draft and negotiate Section 106 Agreements
- Draft and negotiate Section 278/Section 38 Agreements as well as other infrastructure agreements to facilitate delivery of the site.
Meet our team of commercial property solicitors
Julian Parkes
Partner | Real estate, Commercial property, Landed estates and farming
Sharon Mays
Senior associate | Real estate, Commercial property, Land development
Nicola Donnelly
Associate | Real estate, Plot sales, Residential property
Fiona Hampton
Chartered legal executive | Commercial property, Land development, Plot sales
Helen Archibald
Consultant | Real estate, Commercial property, Land development
Janice Taylor
Conveyancing executive | Real estate, Plot sales, Residential property
Enforcement proceedings
We advise on all aspects of enforcement including:
- Enforcement Notice appeals
- Legal issues on enforcement, including whether a planning breach exists
- Whether buildings or their use are immune from enforcement action
- The implications for developers and landowners of enforcement notices, stop notices and breach of condition notices
- Possible breaches of other statutory regimes, including listed building controls
- The use of planning conditions and planning obligations as a means of overcoming enforcement problems
- Certificates of lawfulness for existing and proposed uses
- Defence of prosecutions for breaches of enforcement notices.
Highways
We advise on all aspects of highway law including:
- Section 278 and Section 38 Agreements
- Stopping Up Orders
- Rights of Way
Litigation
We advise on all aspects of litigation under the planning regime including:
- Judicial review challenges to the grant of planning permission
- Section 288/section 289 challenges under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
- Undertaking legal audits to minimise the risk of judicial review
- We can also advise on the potential for legal challenges on property and development deals which are proceeding by way of conditional contracts or options.
Contact us
We have offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking, and can offer specialist expert support on a local and national level.
Contact our planning team
Commercial property & development brochure
Explore our commercial property and development legal services, helping businesses to prosper.
