Charlotte Westwood

Chartered Legal Executive

I am a Chartered Legal Executive in our planning & environment team, based in Taunton.

I qualified in November 2026. I also have an undergraduate degree in Planning from Cardiff University and a Masters in Historic Building Conservation from the University of Bath.

I advise a variety of local and national clients in relation to all aspects of contentious and non-contentious planning including s106 Agreements securing a wide variety of obligations such as Affordable Housing, Biodiversity Net Gain, self-build and financial contributions, Deeds of Variations, Highways Agreements and associated Bonds, general planning and enforcement queries, nutrient neutrality, listed buildings advice, Class Q and prior approval enquiries and providing planning due diligence in relation to complex commercial, mixed use and residential property acquisitions.

I am friendly and approachable. I work with my clients to understand their needs and to find the optimum way to achieve the best results for them.

How I can help

I regularly advise clients on:

General planning advice
Permitted development enquiries, particularly Class Q
S106 Agreements
S106 Unilateral Undertakings
Deeds of Variation to s106 Agreements
S278 and S38 Agreements and associated Bond Guarantees
Planning Due Diligence for acquisitions and financing
Planning Enforcement advice and appeals
Planning Appeals
Nutrient Neutrality
Listed Buildings Advice

Who I work with

My clients include:

Housebuilders (both SMEs and national PLCs)
Registered Providers
Care Homes
Government Departments
Statutory Undertakers
Nutrient Neutrality Scheme Operators
Individuals

My sector expertise

I specialise in the following sectors:

My professional affiliations and recognition for my work

Memberships and accreditations

FCILEx – a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Recent examples of my work

Advising on the criteria of what constitutes a material change of use from a dwelling to a short-term let.
Advising a Government department on the delivery of large scale housing developments and urban extensions.
Advising a Registered Provider on a Bond Guarantee associated with a s278 Agreement for Highways Works to align with their timescales.
Assisting a client achieve a successful Tribunal outcome in relation to the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations.
Providing Planning Due Diligence on large scale acquisitions.
Advising, negotiating and completing a s106 Agreement to secure significant Biodiversity improvements to off-set the impacts of a major utility provider.