In the planning arena, political and policy considerations go hand in hand and are often of equal importance to the outcome of a proposal. Consequently, your legal adviser needs to combine technical excellence with a keen sense and awareness of wider tactical considerations, including the political agenda.

Our national planning team has specialist experience gained from both the public and private sectors and offers advice on all aspects of development and planning law, policy and practice, as well as public law and local government issues. This ranges from initial advice, site appraisals and project management, through to negotiating complex development and infrastructure agreements, and undertaking Inquiry and High Court work. The team manages and advises on a broad range of schemes, including retail, residential, leisure, transport, waste, mineral and renewable energy development and office proposals. Our clients comprise retailers, developers, landowners and institutional investors.

As effective negotiators, we are highly experienced in the progression and management of projects and applications, and securing permission without recourse to a planning Inquiry. We can steer clients through the potential minefield of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Where an Inquiry is necessary, we have the experience, expertise, and resources to lead and co-ordinate the planning team.

We have considerable experience of compulsory purchase work, High Court Appeals, and Judicial Review.

It is this breadth of experience and expertise that our clients rely on to give them confidence in their dealings with the planning system.

Legal 500 describes our planning team as "attentive, fast and professional" and "also noted for its accessibility".  Chambers notes "This "well-performing" planning team undertakes substantial planning work in the retail and housing sectors.  It also advises developers, housing providers and major retailers on large infrastructure, PFI and mixed-use projects".  Many of our partners and fee-earners have been recognised as leading lawyers in the legal directories.

Examples of our recent experience include:

• acting for News International Limited on the relocation of their printing operations from Wapping and advising on their planning applications for major new print facilities at Broxbourne and Liverpool.
• acting for Valley and Vale Properties in connnection with their comprehensive mixed-use urban redevelopment proposals for 30 acres of land at Middlewood, Salford, adjoining Manchester city centre
• advising Asda Stores Limited in connection with the planning aspects of the investigation by the Competition Commission into the UK grocery market, following the referral to it by the Office of Fair Trading; and in connection with the sale of Gazeley