Whether you are a property developer looking at making a planning application, an investor assessing the optimum use to make of a property portfolio, or a lender undertaking ‘due diligence’ to minimise their investment risk, we provide initial advice to maximise development potential and reduce planning risk.

Resource and time constraints imposed on local authorities often require a pre-application approach in order to reduce the cost and risks of refusal of later applications. We work closely with agents, valuers and architects to advise on the viability of a scheme, including density, car parking and the ‘planning gain’ package that might be required.

Much of the planning regime, including the regeneration powers of statutory bodies, is determined by legal rules and procedures.

We provide advice to developers on the powers, process and steps involved in advancing larger schemes, and work with other professionals and local authorities to help insulate the scheme against future costs and delays caused by potential legal challenges and third-party objections.

We also have extensive experience of acting for local authorities and private developers on negotiating planning, highways and other relevant agreements that may be necessary to secure permission, whilst ensuring that a viable, sustainable and attractive development is delivered.

Practice and policy can vary greatly from one local authority to another. Our experience of advising several local planning authorities enables us to provide detailed and clear advice on the planning procedure, costs and timescales – often with the benefit of pre-application advice.

We will always seek to facilitate a co-operative relationship between clients and the local authority in delivering sustainable, high-quality and attractive development that provides a successful and viable outcome for the area.

We have extensive experience in dealing with listed buildings and development in conservation areas and advising individual Members and Planning Committees on matters of procedure, local government probity and the use of their decision-making powers.

The planning regime can seem to be inaccessible and unfair at times to those affected by development. We have many years of experience in successfully safeguarding the interests of residents and local businesses against ‘un-neighbourly development’.

We guide concerned parties through the planning system, making sure that their concerns have a strong and persuasive voice throughout the application and, if necessary, any later appeal process, including any relevant compulsory purchase or similar statutory process.

We have advised several local planning authorities and private clients in enforcement matters, and our legal background and expertise helps to deliver clear, effective and timely advice on lawful use, permitted development rights and the expediency of taking planning enforcement action.

Although we consider any appeal as a last resort, we have successfully represented private and public sector clients in planning, listed building and enforcement appeals, including acting either as an expert witness or as an advocate at Public Inquiries.

We also have direct rights of access to instruct barristers to either provide advice for lawful use, other planning matters or advise on legal challenges, or represent clients at appeal.

If an earlier application is likely to be unsuccessful for whatever reason, we will seek to progress the application so at least it provides the client with the best chance of securing permission on appeal.

We guide concerned parties through the planning system, making sure that their concerns have a strong and persuasive voice throughout the application and, if necessary, any later appeal process, including any relevant compulsory purchase or similar statutory process.