Housing a ‘focused and intelligent’ practice, Blandy & Blandy LLP is recommended for its vast expertise in planning appeals and public inquiries. The team also assists clients with a broad range of environmental matters, particularly in relation to conservation. Based in Reading, Karen Jones heads the practice, and is a key contact for complex projects. Sabah Siddiq is another standout member of the team, who regularly handles both contentious and non-contentious matters involving planning and highways.

Cripps is noted for its broad experience in development projects within the residential housing and retail sectors. The team also has in-depth knowledge of environmental issues such as nutrient mitigation and biodiversity net gain. Leading the Tunbridge Wells based group, Beth Gascoyne routinely handles planning appeals, planning inquiries, and judicial reviews, in addition to advising on highway and infrastructure matters. Rebecca Crosdil is recommended for her deep experience in mandates involving section 106 agreements and site planning history reviews.

The environment and planning team at DMH Stallard LLP stands out due to its broad expertise spanning highway infrastructure issues, water neutrality, planning appeals, and compulsory purchase orders. Leading the team from Gatwick, Heidi Copland has significant experience in advising on housing schemes as well as cases undergoing judicial review. Peter Rainier and Chloe Karamian are key members of the team. Rainer is well-versed in waste applications and appeals. With her previous experience working for a local authority, Karamian is skilled at navigating complex planning and environmental procedures.

Holmes & Hills houses a team of planning specialists located in Essex, headed by Michael Harman and managing partner Steven Hopkins. With strong litigation capabilities, the team particularly excels at handling contentious planning law matters. Hopkins regularly advises on planning inquiries, while Harman is recommended for matters relating to compulsory purchase orders. Sarah Hare is experienced at negotiating and drafting section 106 agreements. Described by clients as ‘knowledgeable, professional, personable, and responsive’, Joanna Lilliott is a standout member of the team who regularly advises local councils on a variety of planning matters.

The team at Irwin Mitchell has considerable experience in assisting clients with large and complex development projects, especially within the housing sector. Described as an ‘exceptional’ and ‘well-respected’ expert, Nicola Gooch works out of the Gatwick office handling a variety of matters, including planning reviews, farm diversification schemes, judicial reviews, and nutrient neutrality requirements. James Pavey is noted for his skill in handling contentious planning cases, routinely acting for clients at informal hearings and inquiries. Sejal Patel stands out due to her exceptional knowledge of urban mixed-use regeneration, nitrate mitigation schemes, and biodiversity net gain.

The team at Shoosmiths LLP is co-headed by Kirsten Hewson in Solent, and Charles Arrand in Milton Keynes. Their combined experience includes advising on nitrate neutrality requirements, highways and infrastructure matters, environmental offences, and mixed-use development schemes. Utilising the knowledge that she gained while working at the Environment Agency, Joanne Sears is ‘an excellent practitioner’ who specialises in regulatory and criminal matters; she is particularly recommended for pollution and nuisance investigations. Kayleigh Chapman is also noted for experience advising local authorities, developers, and landowners.

With Valerie Fogleman heading the practice in Guilford, Stevens & Bolton LLP stands out for its expertise and specialism in environmental law. Fogleman handles the full spectrum of environmental matters, including soil contamination and water pollution, in addition to advising on environmental insurance and liability policies.

Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors routinely acts for a diverse range of clients, including property developers, planning consultants, local authorities, and individuals. The team has vast experience in the negotiation of section 106 agreements, in addition to planning applications and appeals. The ‘brilliant’ Salvatore Amico is particularly adept at assisting clients with enforcement notice procedures, biodiversity net gain requirements, and contentious planning matters.

B P Collins LLP houses a broad team which handles the full range of environmental issues, particularly in relation to corporate and property transactions. Practice head Alex Zachary has vast commercial knowledge, advising on M&A in the waste management and recycling sectors. Specialising in criminal matters, Jonathan Moss is a key name for clients undergoing investigations by the Environmental Agency. Alison Taylor and Craig Williams are core members of the team; Taylor focuses on property sales and acquisitions, while Williams regularly acts for environmental sector clients in a wide array of disputes.

BDB Pitmans houses a team of planning specialists that regularly advise on community infrastructure levy regulations, judicial review proceedings, and section 106 agreements. Heading the practice from Reading, Christina Daniels is a key name for mixed-use development schemes and routinely advises major national housebuilding companies. Chris Holmes is an integral member of the team, often assisting with highway matters and pre-acquisition planning due diligence.

The planning team at Clarke Willmott LLP regularly assists its varied client base of commercial developers, local authorities, and housebuilding companies. Based in Southampton, Anne Jones is recommended for her broad knowledge of planning applications and appeals, highway agreements, and enforcement work. Jones works closely with Chris Charlton in Bristol, who is noted for his longstanding experience in acting for local authorities and commercial developers. The team is led by Neil Baker in Bristol.

Lester Aldridge LLP often acts for housebuilders and developers in mandates involving community infrastructure levy regulations, tree protection orders, section 106 agreements, and planning due diligence. Heading the team in Southampton, Tom Alder has considerable experience handling contentious planning matters. Matt Gilks is another key member of the team, who frequently advises on judicial reviews, compulsory purchase orders, and biodiversity net gain requirements.

Brachers regularly advises developers, local authorities, and landowners on planning and environmental matters, including planning disputes, breaches of planning enforcement notices, and tree preservation orders. Heading the practice in Kent, Lee May often represents clients at planning inquiries and hearings. May also counts town and country planning law and regulatory proceedings brought by the Environment Agency among her areas of expertise.