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Planning, Environment & Sustainability

Planning and environmental laws are increasingly complex and with climate change they control some of the most important issues facing our world.

Our team of experts provide holistic planning and environmental advice for developers, local authorities, utility companies and entrepreneurs for both residential and commercial real estate projects. We also offer specialist planning and sustainability advice tailored for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector, media and entertainment businesses, life sciences and pharma companies, advertising and marketing sector, as well as the tech and communications industry.

Our team has a separate bespoke planning service for private clients and family offices which includes carrying out planning feasibility assessments, legal audits and strategic advice to secure permission, pre-application enquiries, preparing and submitting planning and listed building applications, drafting objection letters to planning or licencing applications as well as acting for clients at appeal or judicial review.

Our expertise includes:

Planning

Environment & Sustainability

  • strategic planning advice for development
  • environmental impact and habitat assessments
  • specialist planning service for HNWIs
  • pollution and emissions
  • planning and enforcement appeals
  • waste management
  • S106 agreements and CIL
  • water and drought management
  • listed buildings and heritage
  • drainage and flood risk
  • highways and infrastructure
  • alternative energy
  • town and village greens
  • permits and licencing
  • compulsory purchase and CPO compensation
  • statutory nuisance
  • judicial review and statutory challenges
  • carbon trading and reporting

In conjunction with our real estate and construction colleagues we also have a collaborative arrangement with architects and financial advisers to provide a “one stop” service for finding and building your own home whether in town or in the country. Click here to download the guide

Related items

real estate

What the appointment of a previous incumbent as housing minister means for planning: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource

24 November 2023

The reappointment of a former Westminster City Council planning committee member as housing minister should herald broad continuity with the approach of his predecessor, say observers. But Lee Rowley will have his work cut out overseeing secondary legislation to implement the measures in the recently passed Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.

Sara Hanrahan

Sara Hanrahan featured in PCD Club’s November issue

22 November 2023

Sara Hanrahan interviewed for PCD Club’s ‘Meet Our Members’ feature. In the 35th edition of PCD Club’s digital magazine, Sara discusses her passion for sustainability, helping junior lawyers excel in their careers and her greatest achievements to date.

Towards Net Zero in London's Bankside Yards

22 September 2023

Overlooking the iconic St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern, Lewis Silkin hosted another fantastic ESG focused event “FutuRE Proofing the Office: Journey to Net Zero”. The event, held at the stunning new Lewis Silkin office with its panoramic 360-degree views, brought together Native Land, the Carbon Trust, Lewis Silkin, and a group of invitees from across various business sectors. The purpose? To engage in a conversation about proactive strategies for future-proofing buildings, achieving net-zero emissions, and enhancing landlord’s and tenant’s sustainability credentials.

High Court

Recent High Court decision refining on Finney and S73 changes affecting operative wording

12 September 2023

On 6 September, the High Court handed down judgment in R (Fiske) v Test Valley Borough Council [2023] EWHC 2221 (Admin), to quash a decision granting planning permission pursuant to S73 TCPA 1990 for a solar farm development in the Test Valley.

Computer-generated image of environment friendly office foyer. Creative office lobby in 3D with a tree

Hotels: Clearing the air – green trends in the hotel industry

01 September 2023

Fuelled by the climate crisis, green-minded stakeholders are applying ever-increasing pressure on hotel companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This is not surprising given that, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the carbon emissions generated per room per night in UK hotels are as high as 10.4 kg CO2e.

London landmark, UK - The Exchequer, also known as Her Majesty

When we can expect the government to push ahead with its delayed changes to the NPPF: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource

10 July 2023

When the housing department published its consultation on draft changes to national planning policy last December, it said the immediate revisions would take effect this spring. However, the government’s consultation response is yet to appear and officials are reluctant to give a timescale.

Real Estate construction

The implications of proposed powers for councils to block slow developers: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource

11 May 2023

A legislative tweak allowing councils to refuse applications anywhere in their area from applicants deemed slow to build out a site will be challenging to implement, may unfairly penalise smaller developers and could deter brownfield redevelopment, commentators fear.

What to expect from revisions to the NPPF and other policy changes this summer: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine

06 July 2022

The levelling up bill includes a section on digitalising the planning system. Last Autumn, the government launched the PropTech Engagement Fund to support the widespread adoption of digital citizen engagement tools and services within the planning process. The second round of projects was announced in June. Some of the results of this initiative are expected in September.

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