'Standout planning partner' Emily Williams heads the planning and environment practice at Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester, and is noted for her extensive expertise in planning and infrastructure matters. The ‘very reliable’ Stuart Wardlaw works out of the Edinburgh and Manchester office, and co-leads the team alongside Williams following the May 2024 departure of former co-lead Michelle Headrige. The team’s client roster is formed of well-known names from a variety of industry sectors, notably including National Grid UK Ltd and BP Oil UK Ltd. ‘Tactile, pragmatic’ practitioner Rachael Tattersall is a key name to note for M&A and due diligence matters within an environmental context. Julie Goulbourne left the firm in February 2024.

The planning and environment team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in Manchester is well-equipped to advise its portfolio of clients on the strategy, promotion and due diligence elements of complex and large-scale planning matters, including city regenerations and developments. A key example of this is its continued work on the £2.5bn Salford Crescent regeneration scheme, a project led by co-head of the practice and ‘exceptionally experienced adviser’ Richard Lloyd. The ‘outstanding’ Michelle Moss heads the practice alongside Lloyd. Compulsory purchase and highway work are two key areas of Helen Miller's practice. Team changes include Claire Gregory's arrival from Mills & Reeve LLP in January 2024, Fiona Barker's departure, and Sarah Wood's January 2024 departure.

The planning and environment team at Pinsent Masons LLP is well-regarded by clients for its ‘strength and depth at all levels’. The team’s workload consists of significant projects, such as its work for United Utilities on the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Project, securing planning permission for the £1bn development of 100km of new tunnels. The ‘exceptional’ Elizabeth Nuttall is well-equipped to advise both private and public sector clients on development matters, as is Emma Hargreaves, who regularly assists clients with large-scale residential schemes. Mike Pocock heads the Manchester team, and is noted for his experience in development matters.

Clyde & Co's planning and environment offering is jointly led by ‘fastidious, trusted adviser’ Rod Hunt, who is experienced in representing environmental clients, and ‘titan in the industry’ Chris Morrison. The team's diverse workload spans matters involving protected species impacted by construction and development projects, to matters involving compliance and permit breaches where the potential for criminal investigation may follow. Stephanie Lunt stands out due to her vast knowledge of criminal investigation-related matters, and Sophie Cottam is a key figure within the practice.

Shoosmiths LLP's planning and environment practice has strong capabilities in advising on the planning aspects of a range of matters, from large-scale residential developments to work involving the complex planning and development of highways. A number of specialists oversee the team, namely 'equally fantastic' national planning leads Kathryn Jump, who has significant planning and CPO experience, and Lisa Tye whose skillset encompasses development and regeneration planning. Practice co-head David Mathias regularly advises clients on biodiversity regulations. Samantha Grange is noted for her broad CPO and compensation claims expertise.

Aaron & Partners LLP's Chester office houses a planning and environment team well-placed to advise its clients on highways agreements, CPOs, and expansions of premises; it also has expertise in mines, minerals, quarrying and waste. David Harries leads the group and is regarded as ‘technically brilliant and a master tactician’. The ‘especially standout’ Mark Turner splits his time between Shrewsbury and Cheshire, and has broad expertise in appeals and judicial reviews.

Dyne Solicitors Limited's Chester-based planning and environment practice is known for handling complex and high-value waste disputes, with landfill tax investigation, permitting and project development work being a key area of focus. Team co-leads are environmental expert John Dyne and commercial litigator Alexander Sandland. James Edes is a key member of the team with a developing specialism defending in environmental criminal proceedings, while Jonathon Bell is praised by clients for acting as a ‘sounding board’.

The ‘very committed’ Claire Petricca-Riding oversees the Manchester-based team at Irwin Mitchell. The team’s client list features key names from the variety of sectors, including Millwall Football Club and HSBC Bank Plc. The group routinely assists with significant contaminated land matters, and the planning aspects of purchases acquisitions and major refinancing mandates. Pamela Chesterman has extensive expertise in handling all aspects of complex planning permission work. ‘Renowned and respected adviser’ Keith Davidson joined the team from Mills & Reeve LLP in October 2023; Davidson is particularly knowledgeable of contaminated land projects and environmental transactions. Victoria Tague is a key figure in the Liverpool team.

Mills & Reeve LLP‘s ‘brilliant’ planning and environment practice in Manchester is well-equipped to handle the full spectrum of planning matters, from compulsory purchase agreements to section 106 agreement planning applications and appeals. Melanie Grimshaw is well-known for advising on the promotion of regeneration projects. The team was bolstered by the arrival of Fiona Barker from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in February 2024 and Robert Biddlecombe in November 2024, while former co-head of the practice Claire Gregory left the group in January 2024, and Keith Davidson departed in October 2023.

Assisting local governments with compulsory purchases, consultancy and surveying matters forms a large portion of TLT's planning and environment practice, which is headed by ‘fantastic asset to the team’ Debbie Reynolds. An example of the high-value work the team assists with is the £330m development of road infrastructure for Oxfordshire County Council . The Manchester offering collaborates closely with the firm's real estate and corporate teams, and the firm’s Bristol group.

Simon Colvin, who provides a ‘superb level of service’ to clients, leads the Manchester-based group at Weightmans LLP. The team is noted for its experience in advising on complex environment matters, including on significant pollution issues and the management of potential risks. The group is also known for assisting with the development of ESG policies and programmes. Nick Barker is a key name within the practice.

Colette McCormack heads the practice at Winckworth Sherwood LLP, dividing her time between London and Manchester. Its workload includes advising on key planning aspects of significant national projects, an example being the Liverpool Waters regeneration scheme. McCormack is described as ‘collegiate and calm under pressure’ and has expansive expertise in regeneration projects. The team is described by clients as being ‘ahead of the curve’ and is equipped to assist clients with meeting net zero standards. Joanne Hannah retired in March 2024.

Brabners LLP‘s planning and environment team is well-equipped to advise its varied client portfolio, which includes developers, investors and local authorities, on the full gamut of environmental regulatory issues. Elaine Field is the key contact in the practice. Michelle Spark left the firm in April 2024 and Robert Biddlecombe left in November 2024.

Advising on development and infrastructure projects is a significant aspect of DLA Piper UK LLP's planning and environment practice in Manchester. The team routinely leverages its national network to assist with a range of high-value mandates. Sophie Stewart is noted for her standout expertise in compulsory purchase matters, as well as highways, infrastructure and development projects.