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Planning, Infrastructure & Environmental Law
The legal framework governing the obtaining of, and compliance with, planning and infrastructure consents and environmental permits is highly complex.
Political cycles of legislative and policy change add uncertainty for developers, landowners, investors and others engaging with these regimes. The spotlight on environmental matters including net zero targets, biodiversity net gain, nutrient and water neutrality can also increase risk.
Understanding the issues, assessing your options and setting a clear strategy from the start is vital. We provide commercial planning, infrastructure and environmental advice, tailored to meet your requirements – we work collaboratively with you to get to know your business and your needs.
We advise on all stages of the planning and environmental lifecycle, including strategic input at the outset, the management of applications, examinations and appeals and negotiation of agreements. We work closely with our Real Estate & Construction teams to tackle your situation from every angle, providing a comprehensive and robust service.
Our planning, infrastructure and environmental expertise
Planning Permissions
We advise on strategies for obtaining robust, deliverable and valuable planning permissions and for subsequently modifying schemes and varying consents.
Development Consent Orders
We also advise on the promotion of and objection to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, guiding clients through the pre-application stage, on applications for development consent orders and during the examination process.
Planning Obligations
We negotiate section 106 agreements and conditions for developers and landowners, ensuring that we maximize flexibility and preserve viability.
We also negotiate bespoke mitigation agreements, such as in relation to biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality so as to help clients secure and implement their consents.
Community Infrastructure Levy
We advise on the Community Infrastructure Levy, assisting clients in understanding their financial liabilities towards infrastructure and the availability of reliefs and exemptions.
Highways and Infrastructure
We advise on all aspects of highways law. For example, we negotiate agreements for the dedication and adoption of highway land and for highway works, and regularly advise on closure and diversion of public rights of way.
Planning Appeals and Judicial Review
We manage or assist with the planning appeals process, ensuring the evidence is as robust as possible. We also prepare written representations and provide representation at examinations and hearings. We help clients lodge and defend judicial reviews and statutory challenges.
Enforcement
Where issues of non-compliance arise, we engage proactively and speedily with authorities to mitigate the likelihood of formal enforcement proceedings, including in relation to heritage assets. We help our clients prepare statutory declarations for lawful development certificate applications.
Environmental Assessments
We advise on Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments, working collaboratively with consultant teams during the application processes.
Compulsory Purchase and Compensation
We are experienced in compulsory purchase and compensation matters, advising developers on options for the use of compulsory purchase powers for land assembly, and landowners who are resisting compulsory purchase or negotiating appropriate compensation.
Environmental Due Diligence and Compliance Advice
For transactions, we help address potential environmental liabilities and mitigation solutions. We also help clients who fall foul of environmental legislation and handle prosecutions in the courts.
Environmental Permitting
Our expertise also encompasses environmental permitting; including guiding clients through the application process to secure the necessary licenses.
We work across a number of different sectors, including the provision of strategic land advice for institutions, landed estates and other landowners and on projects for residential developers. We also advise on life sciences, energy, logistics and retail developments and on projects for private clients.
Whether you require clear, accurate advice on the current position or latest reforms, guidance on a project of importance to you or help with a particular problem, we are here to support you and your business.

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Meet our planning & environment lawyers
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Real Estate Development
Our lawyers are experienced in all areas of commercial, residential and mixed-use development and will provide practical, timely and innovative advice.

Logistics & Supply Chains
We understand the various issues that may affect you and will work alongside you through the full logistics and supply chain life cycle.

Occupier Services
Our skilled Occupier Services team has extensive experience of advising companies.

Real Estate Disputes
If a property dispute is inevitable, our team will work hard to resolve your dispute as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.

Real Estate Investment
We work proactively with you to handle all aspects of the commercial property investment lifecycle, from acquisition and management to disposal.

Life Sciences Real Estate
Our Life Sciences Real Estate team will work alongside your business to help you assess both the opportunities and the risks you may face.

Strategic Land
Our strategic land team offers a one-stop service to landowners, helping you plan for and realise maximum value.

What's important to you is important to us. Let's talk
If you would like to speak to a member of our Real Estate & Disputes team or to find out more about how we work, please get in touch.
More planning & environment articles
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Building Design quotes Kevin Gibbs on Heathrow's plans for a third runway by end of next parliament
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The Law Society Gazette quotes Claire Fallows on planning law reform
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In the Press
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Devolution White Paper: A Brief Update for Infrastructure and Development Practitioners
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Insights
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Doing away with EIA? A brief summary of the Government’s planning reform working paper in relation to Development and Nature Recovery
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Insights
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Charles Russell Speechlys bolsters Real Estate and Construction offering with Senior Consultant hire
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News
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Consultation on further changes to compulsory purchase process and compensation: making compulsory acquisition easier
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Insights
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Planning law changes will be a key theme for strategic land and regeneration in 2025
Suzi Gatward
Insights
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Rachael Davidson writes for Edie.net on the role of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)
Rachael Davidson
In the Press
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Claire Fallows writes for New Civil Engineer on how developers can navigate Biodiversity Net Gain in 2025
Claire Fallows
In the Press
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A range of titles including the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph and The Times quote Claire Fallows on M&S receiving approval to demolish its flagship Oxford Street store
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Property Week quotes Claire Fallows on the Hillside Parks vs Snowdonia National Park Authority judgment two years on
Claire Fallows
In the Press
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“I object!” The use of non-objection clauses and confidentiality provisions in the context of Development Consent Order applications
Rachael Davidson
Insights