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, sports 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.