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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:

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

Planning real estate

“LURB” - Practical Planning Points for Developers

17 May 2022

The 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.

Real Estate construction

The government’s latest thinking on its new infrastructure levy: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine

28 March 2022

The 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.

Yorkshire

What the appointment of new housing minister Stuart Andrew means for planning. Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine

22 February 2022

The 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.

Real Estate Building

The policy and legislation changes to expect this winter: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine

29 November 2021

With 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

Modern office building close up in sunlight

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 2021

The 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.

London

Lewis Silkin receives tier 1 ranking in Legal 500 UK 2022 for Employment, M&A and Media and Entertainment

01 October 2021

Lewis 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.

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