Planning

Expertise:

• Planning agreements (Section 106 agreements and Unilateral Undertakings);
• Community Infrastructure Levy advice;
• Highways and infrastructure agreements (Section 278/38/104 etc);
• Planning appeals;
• Judicial Review and statutory challenges;
• Compulsory purchase (“CPO”);
• Planning enforcement;
• Certificates of lawfulness for proposed and/or existing use/development;
• Stopping up and diversion of highways;
• Objections to development;
• Tree Preservation Orders;
• Planning due diligence on site acquisitions;
• General planning advice on a range of topics (listed buildings, BNG, highways, permitted development rights etc).

The above is just a flavour of what our planning lawyers can provide assistance with.  Planning law is ever changing, and our lawyers are quick to react to new policy and initiatives such as biodiversity net gain (“BNG”) and changes to the NPPF and advising on the implications for clients forthcoming developments.

Some examples of our work include:

• Issued judicial review proceedings against a Local Planning Authority. The case being of particular note due to it being submitted outside the statutory six week time limit requiring an application for an extension of time.  The application was successful and decision quashed.
• Advising a registered provider on a stopping up application concerning highway land which affected their ability to development land pursuant to an obtained planning consent for residential development.
• Advising several landowners on the service of counter notices and blight notices in connection with land to be compulsorily purchased by HS2.
• Advising a top ranked university on a Section 106 Agreement and general planning advice in relation to an important redevelopment of their campus. 
• Negotiating and drafting a complex Section 106 Agreement and providing planning advice for a multi-million pound mixed use scheme including hotel, residential and retail uses. Advise included issues relating to compatible and drop in permission.
• Advising in the case of R (on the application of Fidler) v Secretary of State and Reigate Borough Council at the High Court.  This case resulted in a change in the law around immunity from enforcement as a result of deceit.