Combining a ‘thorough knowledge of planning law’ with ‘sound commercial reasoning’, Cripps is highly sought-after among property investors, developers, and local authorities on high-value and complex mandates. Adept at conveying ‘complicated legal points in a simple way’, Beth Gascoyne heads the planning team. Gascoyne acts for local authorities, developers, and property asset managers on strategic planning matters including section 106 agreements and planning appeals concerning large-scale residential and mixed-use development and regeneration schemes. A further key contact is the ‘very efficient and responsive’ Rebecca Crosdil, who assists developers, investors, and individuals on the preparation of section 106 agreements and highways agreements, particularly in the residential and affordable housing spaces.

Sought-after for its ‘collaborative and pragmatic team’, DMH Stallard LLP is a key port of call for local authorities, residential and commercial developers, and corporate clients on planning agreements, permission challenges, and enforcement appeals. The ‘highly knowledgeable’ and ‘approachable’ Heidi Copland heads the planning and environment group and is regularly entrusted by public sector and developer clients on the arrangement of section 106 agreements and highways and infrastructure agreements. Offering a ‘carefully considered’ approach on contentious and non-contentious planning mandates, Lee May, who joined in June 2024 from Brachers (Part of Lawfront), is a further ‘stellar’ contact. May acts for developers, landowners, local authorities, and individuals on negotiating section 106 agreements, appealing planning decisions, and facing planning enforcement issues.

Offering broad ‘experience and specialist skills’ on planning and development matters, Holmes & Hills possesses a stellar reputation on contentious cases. The planning law department is headed by Steven Hopkins and Michael Harman: Hopkins acts for developers, landowners, and councils across planning appeals, enforcement issues, and judicial reviews; Harman ‘provides an outstanding level of knowledge, professionalism and expertise’, with a particular niche concerning blight claims, compulsory purchase orders, and development consent orders. An expert in planning applications, Sarah Hare advises developers and local authorities on the negotiation of section 106 agreements concerning residential, commercial, and ecological sites. Jo Lilliott is ‘extremely competent and knowledgeable’ when assisting public sector clients on section 106 agreements.

Irwin Mitchell’s ‘very experienced and knowledgeable’ planning and environment team is highly sought-after among developers, landowners, and local authorities on major mandates. The ‘extremely knowledgeable, hard-working’ Nicola Gooch stands out on complex section 106 agreements, community infrastructure levy matters, and contentious planning cases and judicial review. Gooch brings further expertise in notable environmental and ecological mandates, boasting strong expertise in the development and establishment of biodiversity net gain, water neutrality, and nitrate neutrality schemes. James Pavey brings an impressive track record on contentious issues including rural planning disputes and rights of way issues. Focusing particularly on residential schemes, Sejal Patel specialises in complex sustainability and planning matters.

The ‘excellent, personable, and knowledgeable team’ at Blandy & Blandy LLP brings particular expertise on complex residential planning, highways, and environmental issues. Combining a ‘personal and friendly approach’ with ‘rigorous and forensic’ legal skills, Karen Jones heads the planning and environment practice and is an expert across planning advice and appeals, and environmental law. Counting major property developers and landowners among her clients, Jones assists in negotiating section 106 agreements and highway development agreements concerning residential and commercial developments. Sabah Siddiq left the firm.

Through its ‘very knowledgeable and always available’ planning and infrastructure team, Lester Aldridge LLP is a leading authority on planning agreements, contentious planning matters, and ecological schemes and transactions. An expert on contentious and non-contentious planning mandates, Tom Alder heads the team and is highly sought-after among developers in the residential and care sectors on major developments across the south coast. A further key contact is the ‘very diligent and technically minded’ Matt Gilks, who offers deep experience on planning applications, appeals, and judicial reviews for residential, mixed-use, and affordable housing developments.

Shoosmiths LLP is acclaimed by clients for its ‘highly commercial and pragmatic’ and ‘very practical and solution-focused’ approach on planning and environment matters. Charles Arrand leads the environmental law group in the south east and assists major corporates and directors on environmental investigations and prosecution, particularly concerning pollution, waste, and noise nuisance. Kirsten Hewson, who stepped up to chair of the firm in April 2024, has longstanding expertise concerning planning permission and section 106 agreements. Planning expert Matthew Price is a notable authority on nutrient and water neutrality requirements.

Stevens & Bolton LLP specialises in environmental liabilities, environmental insurance, and transactional environment and climate advice. A longstanding expert on environmental liability, Valerie Fogleman leads the environment team and is highly valued among clients for her ‘huge practical experience and theoretical knowledge’. Complementing this legal insight with deep ‘professionalism and expertise’, Fogleman acts for corporates and industrial players and provides vital advice on environmental liabilities within transactions, lease agreements, and insurance policies.

Demonstrating deep legal expertise and a pragmatic approach’, Attwaters Solicitors LLP offers private clients and developers a skilled team on complex planning law mandates. The ‘extremely helpful and knowledgeable’ Salvatore Amico heads the town and country planning team and is a key authority on major regional residential and commercial developments. Amico assists local authorities, property developers, and landowners across planning policy matters, section 106 agreements, contentious planning permission issues, and planning objections.

The environmental practice at B P Collins LLP offers notable expertise on transactions and contentious matters concerning waste, recycling, and ecological assets. Alex Zachary heads the team and is a key contact on commercial and compliance issues and major transactional mandates for clients within the waste, recycling, and environment sectors. A notable authority on property and land matters concerning mineral and ecological assets, Alison Taylor acts for corporates and investors on portfolio management, sales and acquisitions, and lease transactions.

Acclaimed for its ‘experience, pragmatism, and a solution-led approach’, Broadfield Law UK LLP boasts dedicated planning expertise and is a notable port of call on complex and high-value mandates. A key contact is Chris Holmes, who is ‘personable, professional and focused on the best outcome’. Holmes acts for housebuilders, infrastructure developers, and local authorities on section 106 agreements, highways agreements, deeds of variation, and biodiversity net gain matters concerning residential, care, warehouse, and telecommunications assets.

Thomson Snell & Passmore brings deep development and planning expertise to major regional developers, landowners, and local authorities. Planning practice head Kate Jardine possesses a breadth of experience across contentious and non-contentious matters, regularly acting for housebuilders, landowners, and local authorities on section 106 agreements, planning permission issues, and judicial reviews. Particularly sought-after among local authorities and landowners across section 106 agreements, planning appeals, and deeds of variation in the residential and commercial property space, Zak Moallim is a further key contact.