Planning
Our Planning team is comprised of recognised individuals coming not only from private practice but also from local government, giving us the ability to advise you on matters with a unique understanding from “both sides of the fence”.
Our work spans many different levels from offering advice on personal and domestic planning issues through to supporting large multinational organisations and publicly funded bodies on major commercial sites. This broad range of expertise enables us to provide guidance throughout the often complicated planning regime, from initial consultations at early design and planning stages, to applications, the defence of enforcement actions and appeals.
In addition the team’s planning remit extends to advising on planning agreements often required by the local authority in relation to agreements under s106, highways agreements under s38, utility agreements under s104 and adoption agreements under s278. We work closely with developers to help minimize expenditure from these required agreements either directly through contributions or indirectly by ensuring the matter is dealt with in a timely manner.
We also provide specialist advice to members of the Listed Property Owners Club on all planning matters relating to Listed Buildings.
We are a member of UKELA (UK Environmental Law Association) and we advise on issues ranging from applications for environmental permits, pollution of water courses, environmental prosecutions and defences to dealings with large contaminated sites. We work closely with the Commercial Property team on site acquisitions and disposals and with the Corporate team concerning business sales involving land where site investigations, the drafting of warranties and the obtaining of insurance may be relevant.
We can advise on the following:
- Agricultural Occupancy Conditions
- Certificates of Lawful Development
- Compulsory Purchase and Compensation
- Defending Prosecutions for Breach of Planning or Environmental Laws
- Defending Enforcement Notices
- High Court Challenges
- Judicial Review of Council Planning Decisions
- Permitted Development Rights
- Planning Applications and Appeals
- Pre-application Consultation on Planning or Environmental Issues
- Village Greens
Related Links:
Planning and Environmental leaflet
Brachers Business - October 2012
