Birketts LLP has an 'innovative and creative' planning and environmental law group that has a stellar client base of national and regional housebuilders, local authorities, and private businesses in sectors such as agriculture, waste, chemicals, minerals, and transport, as well as infrastructure clients including Northumbrian Water. Tom Newcombe in Cambridge (who 'always has a practical solution to any issue') and the 'always attentive and professional' Deborah Sharples in Ipswich are the lead partners. Legal directors Nicola Doole and Nikki Fonseka, and senior associate Chloe Glason are also active in the practice. Fonseka handles planning obligations and planning enforcement matters, while Doole has vast experience in negotiating complex section 106 agreements.

Howes Percival LLP has a strong planning practice in East Anglia and further afield, and it handles Environmental Impact Assessments and applications for planning permission on behalf of both developers and landowners. Jay Mehta, who works from both Norwich and Cambridge, co-leads the practice along with Paul Hunt in Leicester. 'It truly feels as though they have the client's best interests at the forefront of their advice', clients remark. 'His attention to detail and speed to turn work round has been fantastic', say clients of director Jamie Childs. Mehta and Childs recently acted for Persimmon Homes in several new developments across Suffolk and Essex.

Mills & Reeve LLP is highly regarded for its 'local knowledge and expertise, and prompt and clear advice' on complex planning matters and environmental law. The firm advises developers, strategic land owners, investors, funds, major corporates, and public sector bodies, among them Urban&Civic, Marshall Group Properties Ltd, and housebuilder Taylor Wimpey. In Cambridge, practice head Peter Seaborn specialises in the promotion of complex planning projects. Principal associate Caroline Bywater handles strategic planning matters, and senior associates Howard Felstead (residential), Hannah Edwards (planning and highways law), and Alex Round (strategic land) are also recommended. Consultant Beverley Firth plays a key role in residential development projects.

'They provide practical advice in a clear manner', say clients of Ashtons Legal's standout performers in Cambridge, partner Amy Richardson and consultant Bob McGeady, who works between his home in Shetland and the firm's Bury St Edmunds office. The 'utterly reliable, highly skilled' McGeady assisted Framlingham Town Council with a potential judicial review in relation to a proposal to grant planning permission for a self-build scheme. Richardson is a key adviser to regional housebuilders.

The firm-wide planning, highways and environment practice at HCR Hewitsons, which is led from Worcester by Rosalind Andrews, is frequently involved in large-scale development projects, including residential and mixed-use sustainable urban expansions, acting for national and regional developers,. It also advises farmers, investment owners and landed estates on new projects, the compulsory acquisition of land and compensation, and High Court matters. Partner Gemma Dudley and senior associate Brendon Lee are the main contacts in Cambridge. 'Professional, knowledgeable, caring', notes one client.