Planning
Planning is the key to opportunities but can also be a minefield. We help our clients achieve their objectives by navigating the complexities of the system.
Our practical approach is underpinned by the belief that effective planning lawyers can have a hugely beneficial impact on the use of land and the creation of value in it.
We advise on the full range of planning and environment issues, from the land acquisition stage to scheme implementation. We can help with:
- effective cases for securing or objecting to site allocations and development plan policies
- applying for planning permissions, consents and lawful development certificates
- planning and enforcement appeals including written representations, hearings and public inquiries
- negotiating planning agreements and other statutory documents
- consultation and mediation procedures
- the environmental impact assessment process
Our team has extensive experience of representing landowners, developers and planning authorities, on projects including London 2012, the Elephant and Castle Early Housing Sites, the Brent Cross and Cricklewood Regeneration and the Arsenal Stadium Regeneration schemes.
Related items
What to expect from revisions to the NPPF and other policy changes this summer: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
06 July 2022The 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.
“LURB” - Practical Planning Points for Developers
17 May 2022The Government finally issued the long awaited Planning Bill on 11 May repackaged as “The Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill” (“LURB”). The LURB covers a wide range of proposals or “missions” for levelling-up the country as well as planning reforms.
The government’s latest thinking on its new infrastructure levy: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
28 March 2022The government’s proposed new infrastructure levy is one of the few remaining measures from the planning white paper. Insiders say ministers are considering ways that the levy could boost affordable housing delivery via a “formulaic approach” to the issue but there are still concerns over how it will handle the need for on-site provision.
What the appointment of new housing minister Stuart Andrew means for planning. Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
22 February 2022The move from the whip’s office to the housing portfolio with its in-tray full of reforms, could offer a steep learning curve for the new minister whose main contribution to planning debates so far has been objections to greenfield development in West Yorkshire.
The policy and legislation changes to expect this winter: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
29 November 2021With levelling-up a key government policy, the start of 2022 is set to hot up with the government setting out its response to feedback on the planning white paper
What Gove's appearance in front of MPs tells us about his priorities for changing the planning system: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
22 November 2021The housing secretary revealed his latest thinking on planning changes when he appeared before MPs last week, including giving communities a greater say over new development and examining the impact of permitted development.
Lewis Silkin receives tier 1 ranking in Legal 500 UK 2022 for Employment, M&A and Media and Entertainment
01 October 2021Lewis Silkin continues to receive strong recognition in the latest Legal 500 UK guide released yesterday, earning 67 individual lawyer and practice rankings – of which 7 are top tier practice rankings, 3 were new entries and 7 were improvements on last year.
The issues raised by an appeal decision blocking the replacement of a slave trader statue with that of a Black Lives Matter protester: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
20 September 2021An appeal decision that saw an inspector block the replacement of a listed statue of an 18th-century slave trader in Bristol with that of a Black Lives Matter protester indicates the challenges in removing or altering historic structures for social and community reasons, say experts.