Planning

Our planning team advises and represents landowners, developers and public authorities in relation to all aspects of planning law, policy and procedures.

We act for developers and local authorities at planning appeals, enforcement proceedings and at Core Strategy Examinations.  Advocacy is a specialism and is undertaken at Public Inquiries throughout the country.  We also have considerable experience in relation to very major Inquiries co-ordinating both the legal team and witnesses.  The team is also active in High Court planning litigation including Judicial Review applications, as well as advising on all aspects of Compulsory Purchase Orders, including compensation and References to the Lands Tribunal.

Planning

We can advise you on...

• Advocacy at all forms of Public Inquiries and Hearings including planning appeals, Enforcement Proceedings, Compulsory Purchase Inquiries and Highways Inquiries.
• Co-ordinating and managing teams in relation to major projects and Inquiries including advising on the appointment of professional witnesses and consultants.
• All forms of planning litigation including High Court challenges and applications for Judicial Review.
• Making representations on the contents of emerging Development Plans and appearing at Core Strategy Examinations to represent landowners and developers.
• The conduct of planning appeals by written representations.
• Preparation and submission of planning applications and Environmental Assessments and negotiation of planning consents with local authorities undertaking legal reviews of Environmental Assessments.
• The preparation and negotiation of legal agreements and obligations with public authorities including those made under the Planning and Highways Acts.
• Advising on Compulsory Purchase procedures and objections to Compulsory Purchase orders, compensation and the conduct of proceedings in the Lands Tribunal.

Planning

We have recently undertaken a major Public Inquiry and High Court case in relation to a large residential and mixed use scheme in Newmarket on behalf of Lord Derby.  We have advised J Sainsbury's in relation to Judicial Review proceedings, and are also currently acting for Zurich Assurance Limited and Threadneedle Properties Limited in a High Court Judicial Review matter.

Planning

"This firm is well known for its contentious planning work and it has been involved in a swathe of such matters recently, from appeals and undertaking advocacy at public inquiries to High Court litigation and substantial judicial review work. The telecommunications planning sector is a key area of focus, and clients in this area include Telefónica UK and Airwave Solutions. Retail and residential planning matters also feature heavily. Clients label the team as "very able and responsive, with a good approach to commerciality and risk.

"Clare Fielding joined the firm recently from Herbert Smith, a move that market sources feel will give Lawrence Graham's planning team a real boost. She has worked on a number of complex projects, advising both developers and the public sector on planning law, compulsory purchase and highways law.

"Trevor Blaney is the head of the department. Although he can turn his hand to various planning law concerns, his particular expertise lies in appeal work. Recent examples include a four week Newmarket public inquiry in relation to a mixed-use development scheme." - Chambers UK 2013

"Lawrence Graham LLP has the ability ‘to progress complex and long, drawn-out litigation in the CPO field’. It acted for Lord Derby in the public inquiry into a mixed-use development (including 1,200 residential units) in Newmarket. Trevor Blaney is ‘efficient’. Clare Fielding recently joined from Herbert Smith LLP, and has ‘a thorough knowledge of planning’." - The Legal 500 UK 2012

"They are polite and helpful, and they go the extra mile." - Chambers UK

"Lawrence Graham LLP’s knowledgeable team is well regarded, and its ‘strength in depth and value for money is demonstrated in results rather than costs’." - The Legal 500

"LG's planning team has a strong reputation for planning inquiry work." - Chambers UK