Department profile
Birketts LLP

Planning & Environment

UK Guide 2026 : East Anglia

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Birketts LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Planning & Environment - East Anglia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Birketts has a notable regional planning and environment practice with extensive experience advising house builders on residential development projects alongside many clients in the water and energy sectors. The firm regularly tackles planning and enforcement appeals, judicial reviews, planning inquiries and all manner of strategic land issues, with additional environment expertise in criminal prosecutions and other enforcement actions. It is also noted for its practice advising on the environmental aspects of transactions and developments. The team frequently deals with nuisance claims and also offers expertise in matters concerning village greens.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Birketts assisted a poultry provider with an appeal to the local council regarding an abatement notice to alleged fly nuisance.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Birketts provides full in-house coverage of all specialist areas, but you don’t pay London prices!

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • I have received a first-class service from Birketts.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • The Birketts team is exceptionally knowledgeable about planning and strategic planning.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • Birketts offers a well-informed, bespoke planning service with a rounded set of planning solicitors that can deal with all matters related to the planning industry, including appeal work.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • The Birketts team are all just very nice people, as well as fantastic lawyers, which makes it a delight to work with them.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Deborah Sharples
    Deborah Sharples

    Deborah Sharples

    Deborah Sharples advises landowners, house builders and developers on the planning aspects of development projects as well as corporate and farming clients on a range of environmental issues, including permitting regulations and compliance. She is experienced in judicial reviews and challenges to planning decisions. She has further expertise in matters related to waste management, drainage and hazardous substances, as well as noise complaints.

    • Deborah is a pleasure to work with, with a genuinely friendly and approachable nature.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Deborah is lightning quick on getting to grips with the issues and advises on strategic and complex matters with ease.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Deborah is an excellent lawyer.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Deborah was great to work with; extremely knowledgeable and commercial.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK
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  • Tom Newcombe
    Tom Newcombe

    Tom Newcombe

    Tom Newcombe is the head of planning and environmental at Birketts' Cambridge office, where he represents a wide range of clients including landowners, residential and commercial developers as well as local authorities. He comes recommended for matters such as planning appeals and highways advice, and has particularly acute expertise in strategic land projects.

    • Tom is a leading planning lawyer with excellent attention to detail and always with a business focus on getting the job done and securing the outcome for his client.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Tom is a well-regarded lawyer: skilled, knowledgeable and efficient.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • I highly recommend Tom to all clients. He is capable and aware of the environment in which he works.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Tom is an exceptional leader, but also has a great commercial awareness, calm demeanour and ability to simplify things and plot the most practical way forward to achieving the client's goals.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Tom is a strong player in the field.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Birketts LLP (2)

East Anglia

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