Recognised for ‘highly specialist knowledge of the planning sector’, CMS advises high-profile clients on renewable energy, infrastructure, urban regeneration, and data center matters, as well as the logistics, waste management, retail, and leisure sectors. Rebecca Roffe, based in Sheffield, leads the team and specialises in securing consent for complex schemes, frequently advising on high-value energy and infrastructure projects. She is supported by David Hardy, who is a name to note in relation to the renewable energy sector, handling projects related to onshore and offshore wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, and nuclear sectors.
Planning in Yorkshire
CMS
Responsables de la pratique:
Rebecca Roffe
Autres avocats clés:
David Hardy; Chris Bowes
Les références
‘Highly specialist knowledge of the planning sector with particular focus on renewables. David Hardy – Incisive expert advice, lateral thinker and user friendly. Ability to unpick knotty problems in short space of time and clearly articulate the position. Sound advice on mitigation strategies.’
Principaux clients
Statkraft
United Green
SSE
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Cubico Sustainable Investments Limited on the high profile extension to Scout Moor Wind Farm.
- Advising Statkraft in respect of a proposed Development Consent Order for a solar farm with a capacity of approximately 500MW in the East Riding of Yorkshire, providing all strategic and detailed advice, including on consenting strategy, environmental and biodiversity impacts, agricultural land use and visual impact issues.
- Advising Sheffield City Council on strategic partnerships with developers across Sheffield, including for development of the former Cole Brothers store and the commercial elements of the major West Bar regeneration scheme, including advisory on heritage requirements (following the controversial listing of the store by Historic England).
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP‘s ‘wonderful’ team offers ‘great expertise and knowledge’ to clients across Yorkshire and beyond on a broad spectrum of real estate planning matters, including energy and infrastructure projects, development planning, and a broad range of environmental law matters, such as biodiversity net gain, nuclear regulation, nature conservation, and water management. Team head Jonathan Riley focuses on regional and national infrastructure matters, notably high-profile energy projects. Nick McDonald brings ‘a wealth of experience’ and is a key contact for energy and compulsory purchase matters, with experience on major carbon capture storage and hydrogen projects, while the ‘excellent’ Jo Miles advises on residential and mixed-use developments across the UK.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jonathan Riley
Autres avocats clés:
Nick McDonald; Jo Miles
Les références
‘Pinsent Masons offer a full and responsive service, bringing in specialists from other teams where appropriate. Our main contact is Jo Miles. Jo is an excellent planning lawyer, working collaboratively with the in-house legal team and clients alike, getting to the heart of the issues and offering pragmatic, actionable advice. She has assisted us with a number of matters and has been an invaluable source of legal advice and support.’
‘Key members of the Pinsent Masons team are very experienced and adept at problem solving for private sector clients developing energy and decarbonisation projects, able to draw on lessons learned from other successful projects to derisk consenting challenges. Nick McDonald has a wealth of experience and is excellent at supporting clients in a pragmatic way, providing proportionate and cost effective advice.’
‘A wonderful team with great expertise and knowledge in the areas of planning, environmental and real estate. Commercially savvy, politically aware, pragmatic, fair, reasonable and also an approachable and friendly team to deal with. All the above qualities – particularly from Jo Miles and Jonathan Riley. Dedication, great knowledge and always prepared to go « above and beyond ».’
Principaux clients
BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
Vitol (VPI Immingham B Limited / VPI Immingham LLP)
Royal London Asset Management Limited
Carlton Power
EP UK Investments Limited (EPH Group)
Principaux dossiers
- Advising BP Exploration Operating Company Limited on consenting its four major hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects in the UK, from 2019 to date.
- Advising West Yorkshire Combined Authority on consenting a new mass transit system for West Yorkshire.
- Advising the London Borough of Haringey on the High Road West regeneration scheme, with the compulsory purchase order confirmed by the Secretary of State in 2024.
Walker Morris LLP
The ‘excellent’ Walker Morris LLP assists energy developers, blue chip housing providers, environmentally focused businesses, public bodies, and investment companies on matters related to infrastructure projects, residential and mixed-use developments, employment and logistics schemes, student accommodation buildings, and renewable projects. The ‘superb’ team head Richard Sagar handles strategic planning advisory on complex and large-scale planning applications, High Court challenges, and environmental matters. Lee Gordon focuses on major infrastructure and energy projects, new settlements, and strategic residential developments, including garden communities; while Rob Moore brings experience in wide range of planning instructions, from complex planning projects and site promotion through emerging local plans, to planning appeals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Sagar
Autres avocats clés:
Lee Gordon; Rob Moore
Les références
‘Richard Sagar leads a superb team – the best in the north of England with a nationwide following too. He is a superb advocate and the standout partner in the planning field.’
‘Walker Morris has an excellent reputation in this field and are renowned for their quality of work and proven success rate. They have a forensic approach which leaves no stone unturned! I have worked with Richard Sagar and Rob Moore. All are very professional but also approachable and tell you have it is! They know their profession inside out, are very thorough and get to the heart of issues directly. They are very honest in their assessment of the likely chances of a projects success.’
‘A strong Yorkshire based offering, that stands out for its approach to local and regional clients and businesses, reflecting and understanding Yorkshire and NE nuances in way that other firms struggle to.’
Principaux clients
Asda Stores
Banks Group
Bellway Homes
Crest Nicholson
Harworth Group
Henry Boot Developments
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
The Peel Group
Taylor Wimpey
Unite Group
Vistry Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the 5 Garden Town partner authorities in relation to delivery of Harlow & Gilston Garden Town, the largest garden town project in the country which is to comprise 23,000 dwellings and major infrastructure, including two new river crossings and sustainable transport corridors.
- Advising Caddick in the promotion of a new settlement at Maltkiln, Harrogate. The proposed development would provide circa 3000 homes on a 300-acre site. It would create a sustainable new village centred around the existing railway station at Cattal, Maltkiln with associated infrastructure including local centre and education provision as well as improvements to ensure a safe and suitable highway network is delivered.
- Advising the Mersey Tidal Energy Project on the promotion of a DCO application for this multi-billion major energy project which is proposed to be the largest tidal energy project in the world. It is a key priority for the Combined Authority and the Mayor (Steve Rotherham).
DWF
DWF is recognised for ‘great knowledge of planning law’ and handles large scale and complex development, regeneration, and infrastructure projects, including work in the regeneration, energy, utilities, and transport sectors. Team head Andrew Batterton specialises in consenting and land assembly for both regulated and unregulated corporates, developers, funds, investors, and statutory bodies throughout all stages of the project cycle. He is supported by Claire Stoneman, who brings experience in development planning, compulsory purchase, and public and private infrastructure work; and the ‘rising star in planning’, Ciar Donnelly, who is well-versed within all aspects of planning and compulsory purchase law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Batterton
Autres avocats clés:
Ciar Donnelly; Claire Stoneman
Les références
‘The planning team has a great knowledge of planning law including compulsory purchase and energy developments under the Electricity Act. There is a real sense of commitment to clients projects at all stages of projects. The use of IT and good relationships between regional offices is truly commendable.’
‘Ciar Donnelly is a rising star in planning. She leaves no stone unturned in assisting clients. She puts together all documents together in a user friendly and accessible way so planning inquiries run smoothly at all times.’
Principaux clients
Essar Oil Limited
National Grid Grain LNG
Nuclear Decommissioning Agency
Whitbread
Muse Developments
Sovereign Centros
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the Royal Borough of Greenwich on land assembly, CPO strategy, and planning adjustments for the Woolwich Leisure Centre scheme, as well as implementation and development strategy for the Woolwich Exchange CPO, as part of DWF’s ongoing role supporting the Council’s major regeneration projects delivering around 10,000 new homes and significant infrastructure improvements.
- Advised Essar Oil Limited, trading as Essar Energy Transition, on their net zero transition projects at Stanlow, including a development consent order for a hydrogen-fueled Combined Heat and Power facility, a new hydrogen/gas pipeline, and strategic planning for other connection projects.
- Advised Guildford Borough Council on planning and real estate support for the Weyside Urban Village project, a 1,500-home development that won the « Best use of publicly owned land and, or property placemaking » category at the Planning Awards 2023.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP advises developers, institutional investors, landlords, tenants, borrowers, and lenders throughout the entire project lifecycle, from financing, structuring and acquisition to development, asset management, and sale. The ‘very knowledgeable’ practice head, Peter Nesbit, is a key name in energy infrastructure projects. He is supported by Paul McLean, who specialises in commercial, residential, and educational developments, and Roddy Macdonald, who brings experience in all aspects of residential development, including garden village schemes and urban extensions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Nesbit
Autres avocats clés:
Paul McLean; Roddy Macdonald
Les références
‘Excellent knowledge of the complexities of the area in which we operate and strong understanding of our business needs and drivers. Flexible, helpful and hard working, demonstrating strong knowledge as well as a commercial and pragmatic approach.’
‘Peter Nesbit is approachable, personable and very knowledgeable. He has the ability to simplify complex concepts and works well with our counterparties’ counsel, demonstrating a commercial and pragmatic approach as well as a sound understanding of the law.’
Principaux clients
Network Rail
Legal & General
Mace
EDF Energy Renewables Limited
Statkraft
Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Theakston Land on its successful appeal against non-determination of its planning application in relation to a 2,000 dwelling urban extension to Durham City.
- Advised Miller Homes and Kier Ventures in relation to its 1,400 dwelling urban extension to Wokingham town, granted by Wokingham Borough Council in July 2024.
- Advising Elements Green in respect of its proposed solar farm, known as the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project likely to be one of the largest solar farms proposed in the UK – in the region of 800MW.
Freeths LLP
Recognised for ‘wide range of quality work’, Freeths LLP provides clients with planning consultancy and expertise in planning and environmental law across all development sectors. The team advises on strategic development, major infrastructure projects, and planning applications, as well as environmental regulatory actions, offering compliance guidance and solutions to overcome environmental constraints in planning applications. The ‘brilliant’ Alison Ogley, who leads the team, focuses on civil environmental matters, including judicial reviews, high court challenges and environmental permit appeals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alison Ogley
Autres avocats clés:
Emma Conwell; Katie Le Boutillier; Sam Kharabanda Groom
Les références
‘Alison Ogley is brilliant and leads a strong team.’
‘Really good firm to work with – wide range of quality work – in several locations in the country. Real expertise in residential, retail, industrial and DCO work. Excellent leadership and advise form a very effective team.’
‘Alison Ogley – huge planning and DCO expertise. Very calm and capable. Clear advice and decisive. Excellent and reassuring with clients. Alison heading the Leeds office is a real boost to the firm.’
Principaux clients
Welbeck Waste Management Ltd
FCC Environment Ltd
Mole Valley District Council
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Welbeck Waste Management Ltd at a planning inquiry for a landfill site whose operations are worth over £50m to the client.
- Advised Woodall Homes Ltd at a planning inquiry, successfully obtaining planning permission for residential development on a greenfield site at Ashbourne.
- Advised Mole Valley District Council in a planning enforcement matter in the Magistrates Court.
Walton & Co (Planning Lawyers) Limited
Walton & Co (Planning Lawyers) Limited delivers ‘a first-class service’, advising residential, housebuilding, PRS, and student accommodation clients exclusively on strategic land, planning, highways, and compulsory purchase matters. The team is jointly led by David Walton, Alec Cropper, and James Cook; with Walton handling strategic land promotions for housing, employment, and leisure applications, Cropper negotiating planning, highways, and infrastructure agreements to support major development schemes, and Cook focusing in all aspects of town and country planning and highways law. They are supported by Kellie Hainsworth.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Walton; Alec Cropper; James Cook
Autres avocats clés:
Kellie Hainsworth
Les références
‘The team are due-diligent, with a breath of experience, which enables them to think outside of the ‘box’ and adapt to new legislation and problem solving. James Cook is a problem solver of the highest level. He is quick thinking, and very knowledgeable in the field of planning, which is complex and ever changing. He is also a pleasure to work with.’
‘Walton and Co is a niche planning firm. They are a small agile team but punch above their weight by providing first-class service and advice on planning matters. James Cook and Alec Cropper are the standout partners. They are highly skilled, straight-forward to deal with and diligent. I would not hesitate to recommend them.’
‘The practice engages with clients and the team immerses themselves in gathering a full understanding of the issues of importance. I was impressed by the willingness to attend the clients’ premises and arrange a full conference informed by detailed factual background and sound analysis.’
Principaux clients
CEG
Wren Kitchens
Yorkshire Housing
Calderdale Council
Principaux dossiers
- Advising CEG on the delivery of an employment-led mixed use business park, and new settlement of over 3500 homes in Oxfordshire.
- Advising Hargreaves Land in respect of the promotion of a site forming part of a proposed 3000 home new settlement.
- Acting for a corporate client in respect of judicial review proceedings associated with various highways and public realm works.
Schofield Sweeney
Schofield Sweeney acts for residential and commercial developers, infrastructure providers, land and property owners, and local authorities across all sectors for both contentious and non-contentious matters. Practice head Amanda Beresford, recognised for 'excellent ability to navigate through complex planning matters', is well-versed within the regeneration, infrastructure, energy and waste sectors.
Responsables de la pratique:
Amanda Beresford
Les références
‘Amanda Beresford is a very experienced and very good planning legal expert who is also realistic.’
‘The key strength of Schofield Sweeney is effective communication. They clearly understand the client’s expectations, delivering a very professional and effective service.’
‘Amanda Beresford has an excellent ability to navigate through complex planning matters and deliver advice in a clear and concise manner. Her advice on preparing for, and input at, public inquiry has been invaluable. Above all, Amanda is very personable and approachable. ’
Principaux clients
Moda Living Limited
Caddick City Living Limited
Towngate PLC
Keyland Developments Limited
Chatsworth House Trust
Broughton Hall Estate
Principaux dossiers
- Advised a Caddick Group company on the planning agreement for the 2m sqft scheme known as South Village Leeds for up to 1,925 homes and 650,000 sqft of commercial space.
- Advised Earthline Limited on a planning Appeal public Inquiry against a refusal to grant planning permission for a sand and gravel extraction site in Wiltshire.
- Advised Lindum Developments Limited in relation to an application for a Development Consent Order and Compulsory Purchase affecting their land in Newark including representing them at the Examination in Public.
Ward Hadaway LLP
Ward Hadaway LLP supports housebuilders, national retail and leisure chains, country estates, and prominent public sector organisations with a range of planning law matters across Yorkshire. The ‘pragmatic’ team leader, James Garbett, brings over twelve years of experience, advising clients on planning applications, appeals, and the negotiation of planning obligations. He is supported by Matthew Hills, who brings experience in drafting and negotiating S106 Agreements, Deeds of Variation and Unilateral Undertakings.
Responsables de la pratique:
James Garbett
Autres avocats clés:
Matthew Hills; Eram Watson
Les références
‘James Garbett is pragmatic in the actions he recommends. Works so both sides achieve win win. Responsive when it matters.’
‘They provide professional advice, naturally legally cautious, but necessary for business decisions on risk.’
‘Matthew Hills , James Garbett and others are always very helpful.’
Principaux clients
Barratt Developments Limited (Barratt Homes)
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Persimmon Homes Limited
Canal & River Trust
Principaux dossiers
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Sitting within the firm's national practice, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's planning and infrastructure group is a key contact for transport and energy infrastructure providers seeking development consent orders. The practice also acts for local authorities and public bodies, and assists with compulsory purchases and residential developments. Key names in Leeds include Frances Everett and Claire Smith.
Autres avocats clés:
Frances Everett; Claire Smith
Principaux clients
Rentplus UK Limited
Duchy Homes Limited
Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership (GCP)
Leeds City Council
National Energy Company
Windel Energy
Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council
National Highways – A46 Newark Bypass scheme
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Fosse Green Energy Limited, a JV set up between Windel Energy and Recurrent Energy, to deliver major solar infrastructure.
- Instructed by Nufarm UK Limited to provide planning and real estate advice to secure planning permission to redevelop its manufacturing facility at Wyke in Bradford.
Addleshaw Goddard
The ‘knowledgeable’ Addleshaw Goddard advises clients on major development projects in Leeds, covering residential schemes, commercial and leisure facilities, and strategic employment sites, with a strong focus on the energy and transport sectors. Daniel Marston leads the Leeds team, bringing experience across a range of development and infrastructure assets, particularly in energy, industrial, residential, and mixed-use developments. He is supported by Charlotte Jones and Tatiana Volodina.
Responsables de la pratique:
Daniel Marston
Autres avocats clés:
Charlotte Jones; Tatiana Volodina
Les références
‘Responsive and knowledgeable.’
‘Tatiana Volodina and Daniel Marston have been very response and knowledgeable, supporting and able to find time to support even at short notice.’
‘Working with this team has been a consistently professional experience. They have a good understanding of the issues we face and are able to offer advice that’s both technically sound and practical for our day-to-day needs.’
Principaux clients
Siemens
Asda
MEPC
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Taiyo in securing planning permission for the Ford Oaks Solar and Green Infrastructure Facility, a 37.3MW development providing renewable energy for approximately 18,500 homes and delivering around 80 acres of green infrastructure improvements.
- Advised Siemens Mobility in relation to their brand-new manufacturing, digital engineering, and R&D centre at SouthPoint Business Park, replacing their existing facility at Langley Park, where Siemens will build the next generation of conventional and digital rail signalling and control systems for Britain.
- Acting for Vita Group on their proposal for a major mixed-use development in Birmingham City Centre. The scheme is described as ‘the most ambitious project’ for Vita Group, which would see around 1,000 apartments and a host of other residential and commercial accommodations created across five separate blocks, the tallest of which could reach 49 storeys.
Blacks Solicitors LLP
Blacks Solicitors LLP offers strategic guidance on large-scale developments, including residential, commercial, retail, business parks, and mixed-use projects. The firm manages all aspects of the planning application process, from negotiating complex planning obligations to securing permissions and proposals. The ‘extremely diligent’ Emma Thomas joined from Knights plc in January 2025 and now heads the team, bringing expertise in planning permissions, Section 106 and infrastructure agreements, and biodiversity net gain. She is supported by the ‘thorough’ Katy McPhie.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emma Thomas
Autres avocats clés:
Katy McPhie
Les références
‘Emma Thomas provides us with excellent legal advice in respect of planning matters.’
‘They are a safe pair of hands who work effectively and quickly to provide legal advice and strategy when needed.’
‘Attention to detail. Experience. Can-do attitude.’
Principaux clients
Lidl Great Britain Limited
Harmony Energy Income Trust PLC
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Harmony Energy Income Trust plc in relation to the planning aspects of a £130 million battery portfolio refinance.
- Acted for Heywood Homes in respect of its low carbon residential development in West Yorkshire with a GDV of approximately £12.9 million.
- Acted for Lidl in obtaining planning permission for two new retail units with floorspace of approximately 50,000 sq ft (combined) with a value of approximately £8 million.
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs advises public and private sector clients, including energy and utility companies, local authorities, retailers, and leisure developers, on a broad range of planning matters. The firm specialises in town and country planning, offering strategic support for major developments, planning and enforcement appeals, and complex infrastructure agreements. Team head David Myers has extensive experience in planning applications, Section 106 agreements, appeals, and enforcement actions.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Myers
Autres avocats clés:
Gemma Newell; Will Swarbrick
Les références
‘Gemma Newell is a stand out individual at SPB.’
‘They are the go to firm for electricity distribution network operator matters. No other firm compares in terms of understanding, experience and commercial awareness.’
Principaux clients
Jomast Developments Limited
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Watkin Jones Group
Taylor Wimpey UK Limited
Electricity North West Limited
Live Nation
Galliford Try
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Harry Ferguson Holdings Limited on the completion of some of the first conservation covenants in England.
- Advising National Grid Electricity Distribution on its use of statutory powers across all its licence areas.
- Advising multiple clients in judicial review action from the perspective of defendant, interested party and claimant in relation to high profile residential and mixed use schemes.