Pinsent Masons LLP maintains a strong planning team in Leeds and excels in major infrastructure projects, including complex regeneration schemes and decarbonisation developments, while also covering residential and road projects. The firm is adept at compulsory purchases and frequently acts for local councils and authorities. Jonathan Riley leads the firm’s property department in Leeds and has extensive experience advising on national and regional infrastructure projects, often in the energy space. Nick McDonald is also highly recommended and strengthens the firm's offering in compulsory purchases and carbon capture and storage projects, while Jo Miles advises on residential and mixed-use developments and is praised by clients as ‘an invaluable source of legal advice and support’.

Walker Morris LLP fields ‘experts in both planning advisory and advocacy work’, with the team handling non-contentious planning advice on residential, road and mixed-use development projects as well as representing clients in public inquiries and planning appeals on the contentious side. Practice head Richard Sagar is particularly strong in advocacy work and is well versed in compulsory purchases and planning appeal inquiries. Chris Slater bolsters the team’s expertise in section 106 planning obligations for property developers, Rob Moore handles strategic planning advice and has expertise in highways matters, and Josh Kitson handles contentious planning work in relation to a broad range of development projects. The team was bolstered in March 2024 by the arrival of Lee Gordon from Weightmans.

Clients praise CMS‘ as ‘the best in the renewable energy planning sector’; the firm acts on key projects in this space, such as the HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline and a solar and infrastructure application for Lightsource BP. The team is adept at development consent orders, strategic planning issues, and section 106 agreements in both contentious and non-contentious contexts. Rebecca Roffe leads the team and is well versed in securing consent on major development projects across the real estate, energy and infrastructure spaces, and is supported by David Hardy, who has experience in planning related litigation and works primarily in the renewable energy sector. Chris Bowes regularly advises on compulsory purchase orders.

The planning and CPO practice at DWF handles compulsory purchase orders, planning permissions and strategic advice on diverse development projects, including road, rail, energy and regeneration work, where it often works closely with the firm’s broader real estate team on planning issues. The practice has a notable roster of public sector clients as well as key clients in energy space, including the National Grid, the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency and Hull Eco Park. Practice head Andrew Batterton has extensive experience in the planning space, particularly in consenting and land assembly codes. Further key contacts in the Leeds office include Stephanie Smith, who is well versed in the highway and section 106 agreements, and Ciar Donnelly, who assists with mixed-use regeneration and infrastructure schemes.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s planning team excels on projects in the energy and renewable energy sectors; recent work has included offshore wind energy, solar farm and battery storage schemes. The team handles non-contentious work, in particular advising on consenting issues, planning applications and agreements, and highway orders, and also has noted expertise in contentious matters, including inquiries and judicial reviews. Practice head Peter Nesbit leads on transport and infrastructure projects, while Roddy Macdonald covers residential development mandates and leads the firm’s relationship with Homes England. Newly promoted partner Paul McLean is involved in planning support for clients in the education sector.

Walton & Co (Planning Lawyers) Limited acts exclusively on planning, highway and compulsory purchase work and is well placed to advise on strategic land projects, urban extensions and residential developments. The team is praised by clients for knowing the planning space ‘inside out’ and advises on s106 agreements, compulsory purchases, planning due diligence as well as supporting clients during planning appeals and planning appeal enforcements. The team is jointly led by founding director David Walton, whose recent experience includes significant regeneration projects, and Alec Cropper, who has extensive experience in judicial reviews and High Court cases. James Cook joined the firm in April 2024 from Blacks Solicitors LLP.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP stands out for its stellar roster of public sector clients, including local authorities and government departments, which turn to the firm for its expertise in the planning aspects of energy, transport and housing development projects. The firm is well versed in planning application strategies, development consent order applications and s106 agreements and covers planning appeals and compensation claims on the contentious side. The Leeds-based practice is led by Claire Brook, who specialises in planning and environmental matters in the energy, waste and chemical sectors. Helen Robinson and Frances Everett are also recommended.

Freeths LLP is described by clients as ‘highly experienced and knowledgeable operators in the planning and environment field’, where it stands out for its expertise in contentious planning work, providing support during planning enquiries, planning and environmental permit appeals and High Court challenges related to significant residential, mixed-use and build-to-rent development projects across the UK. Alison Ogley leads the team and excels in planning related advocacy work, where she is supported by associate Emma Conwell, who is also based in Leeds.

Schofield Sweeney has experience handling residential-led mixed-use development schemes, where practice head Amanda Beresford continues to advise Caddick on two significant development schemes in Southwark London and Leeds. The practice is well equipped to advise on s106 agreements, and also covers contentious compulsory purchase and planning appeals. Beresford is praised by clients as ‘very knowledgeable on planning issues’.

The planning team at Addleshaw Goddard is noted for its capabilities in residential, energy, transport and infrastructure projects, where the team offers advice on strategic planning issues, development consent orders, forward funding arrangements and section 106 agreements. Recently promoted partner Daniel Marston leads the team in Leeds and works closely with notable regional developers and landowners, including Vita and Strawson Group.

Clarion‘s planning offering was established in May 2023, when Carolyn Lord and Kate Butterfield joined the real estate team. The duo handle matters relating to compulsory purchase offers, planning applications, as well as defending clients in enforcement actions and appeal hearings. The firm has a notable niche in heritage building strategies.

DLA Piper‘s planning team is praised as ‘extremely knowledgeable about the planning system’, with the Leeds-based group assisting the firm's national planning and infrastructure practice on major infrastructure projects across the transport and energy sectors, as well as handling urban developments. Key names in Yorkshire include Claire Stoneman, who is active on development planning work and compulsory purchase mandates relating to energy and infrastructure projects, and Henry Jeffreys, who handles development consent orders, compulsory purchases and various strategic planning matters.

Public sector clients, regional landowners and commercial developers regularly turn to Rollits LLP's Yorkshire-based planning and development practice for the full range of planning advice, including planning applications and advice on s106 agreements as well as representation in planning appeals and judicial procedures. Libby Clarkson leads the team and covers planning and infrastructure agreements regarding strategic land projects, with support from Stuart Lumb. Clarkson took over leadership of the practice, following the departure of former practice head Mark Dixon to SJP Law in November 2023.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ planning team is well versed in town and country planning matters, where it handles planning due diligence, s106 agreements, wayleave agreements and compulsory purchase work. The practice works with developers in the energy and utility, retail, residential and commercial sectors. David Myers leads the team and is well versed in contentious planning matters, advising on appeals and enforcement actions. Gemma Newell bolsters the practice in the energy sector.

Ward Hadaway LLP‘s planning practice is praised for ‘helping clients navigate through the legal complexities and implications of biodiversity net gain’. The team is also competent in planning applications and obligations, and consenting strategies, and also covers contentious planning matters in relation to retail and residential developments. Heading up the Leeds office is James Garbett, who excels at town and country planning work; he is supported by Matthew Hills.