Planning and the environment

Our nationally recognised planning and the environment solicitors provide expert advice on the full range of contentious and non-contentious planning and environmental law issues. We advise in relation to all forms of development and encompassing issues of housing and commercial development (including affordable housing), transportation, leisure and tourism, education, ecological and cultural heritage, contaminated land and pollution and enforcement.

What sets us apart and continues to bring clients back to us time and time again is our consistent ability to deliver timely commercial advice and to solve, rather than create, planning problems. Our experienced practitioners work alongside our clients and guide them through the complexities of the planning system and fast changing environmental laws.

The team is ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK legal directories. Several of our lawyers have served in local government legal departments advising all tiers of local government.

Our clients

We act for local authorities, developers and landowners and we believe that our broad client base greatly improves our ability to offer robust practical advice due to the increased level of understanding of all sides’ requirements and pressures.

Our clients include: Acorn Property Group, Barratt Homes, Bovis Homes, Crest Nicholson, Countryside Properties, David Wilson Homes, Eagle Land, Guinness Developments, Hannick Homes, Homes England, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Persimmon Homes and the Universities of Bristol, Bath and the West of England, and Yarlington Housing Group.

How we can help you

Our areas of expertise include:

• Certificate of lawfulness applications
• Planning applications and appeals
• Planning and Highways (Section 106, 278 and 38) Agreements
• Advocacy at planning and other inquiries and representation before Planning Committees
• Environmental impact assessments
• Compulsory purchase and valuation/compensation
• Enforcement proceedings
• Planning and environmental prosecutions
• Judicial review and statutory challenges
• The interpretation of Planning Agreements, conditions and legislation
• Highways and right of way issues
• Untidy sites, town and village greens and common land
• Use of appropriation powers to facilitate redevelopment
• Tree preservation orders

What our clients say about us

“My impression of the planning team is one of excellence.” Chambers UK 2022

“I have found all of the planning solicitors at Clark Willmott to be accessible and capable of providing accurate advice at short notice. They have a fantastic eye for detail and are able to foresee potential shortfalls in Local Planning Authority S106 drafting and steer negotiations towards acceptable solutions for us as their client.” The Legal 500 2022

“It is an excellent team and they’re very accessible.” Chambers UK 2022

“They do not sit on the fence but will provide clear advice and follow it through. I have always found them excellent and easy to work with. They have a ‘can sort’ attitude and constructive approach to resolving issues.” The Legal 500 2022

Contact a planning and environment solicitor

To learn more about how our team can support your business or project, please contact one of our lawyers directly, call us on 0800 652 8205 or get in touch online.

Clarke Willmott has offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.