Despite attempts at simplification by government, navigating the planning system remains a potentially time consuming and costly process. Our planning solicitors are experienced at helping clients through this process, whether at the strategic level as the first steps are made towards having a site allocated, helping to shape planning applications, negotiating planning obligation agreements or advising in relation to appeals and legal challenges at the decision making stage.
Our clients include national and regional house builders, commercial developers, government bodies, planning authorities, private sector companies and landed estates.
Advising a Council on a compulsory purchase order for a business park. Our advice included managing the expectations of the energy company supporting the order, managing the inquiry process and the production of evidence in conjunction with Counsel, and attending the inquiry itself. The order has recently been confirmed by the Secretary of State.
Advising a company with a large real estate portfolio in relation to Crossrail 2 and the client’s risk profile for a proposed transaction. We drew on our previous experience of Crossrail to advise on uncertainty and potential outcomes. this allowed the client to form a realistic evaluation of its negotiating position and asset valuation.
Acting for a unitary authority in negotiating section 106 agreements for a large housing site of over 1200 units, including advising on compliance with regulations regarding the community infrastructure levy.
Negotiating compromise agreements for various private sector clients affected or potentially affected by Compulsory Purchase Orders, Transport and Works Act Orders or Development Consent Orders, including petitioning in relation to emerging legislation.
Acting for a manufacturing and retail company looking to promote land through the emerging local plan in order to relocate its business, including advising on planning strategy for bringing forward an application alongside promoting the site, and advising on the submission of evidence for the examination in public of the emerging plan.
Advising private sector developers and businesses on procedures for the stopping up of highways (roads and footpaths) to allow for the expansion of their businesses, including advising a manufacturing company on procedures under the Highways Act 1980 and a London-based private sector developer on the powers in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Advising a developer on the preparation of a blight notice for land dedicated by a local authority for the development of a school. The Council refused to allow planning permission for new homes proposed by the developer. We attended the planning committee meeting and secured a planning consent for 43 new homes.
Defending a judicial review claim brought by a residents action group against the grant of permission for housing linked to our client’s commercial operation.
Acting for a Government agency on the mitigation of impact on its radar system in relation to a planning application for the development of a wind farm. We negotiated a settlement agreement for the relocation of the radar.
Negotiating numerous highways agreements on behalf of developers and unitary and county authorities for residential schemes.
