Elaine Field

Elaine is a Partner in our national planning and environment team. She qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and brings extensive experience from both private practice and in‑house roles within local government, giving her an in‑depth understanding of the pressures and priorities on all sides of the planning process.

Elaine advises on the full spectrum of planning matters for developers, local authorities, landowners, statutory undertakers and commercial organisations. Her work includes strategic input on major residential, mixed‑use and commercial schemes, as well as detailed support on complex planning and highways issues.

She is known for her practical, solutions‑focused approach and for providing clear, commercially grounded advice that helps clients navigate the complexities of the planning system with confidence.

Elaine is a member of the Compulsory Purchase Association.

Experience

She has significant experience negotiating and drafting Section 106 agreements for large‑scale developments, including urban extensions and garden town projects, often involving multi‑party collaboration and complex infrastructure requirements. Her experience includes acting for major housebuilders and registered providers, and covers advising on issues such as grant funding, viability, affordable housing, phased delivery and BNG.

Elaine’s infrastructure expertise ranges from advising on DCOs to dealing with Traffic Regulation Orders. She has advised host local authorities on various infrastructure DCO schemes, as well as advising statutory undertakers on protective provisions, and has represented clients at Select Committee hearings in connection with HS2. She also has extensive highways experience gained from working at a unitary authority, advising on all highway‑related matters including infrastructure agreements, Definitive Map Modification Orders, public rights of way, Traffic Regulation Orders and highway enforcement matters.

Elaine also provides strategic planning advice in relation to land assembly and regeneration projects, including CPOs and EIA assessments for major schemes. She works closely with public and private sector partners to help unlock developments.