Department profile
Holmes & Hills LLP

Planning & Environment

UK Guide 2026 : East Anglia

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Holmes & Hills LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Planning & Environment - East Anglia

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Holmes & Hills houses a specialist team advising on the planning aspects of residential, mixed-use and commercial developments. The firm acts for a number of local authorities as well as developers and private individuals. The lawyers are regularly engaged to advise on contentious issues such as planning inquiries and judicial reviews. The team is also noted for expertise in Section 106 agreements.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Holmes & Hills continued to represent Colchester City Council in Section 106 planning obligations for multiple large developments.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Holmes & Hills offers very bespoke and careful client care.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • Holmes & Hills has expert knowledge and a forensic approach to detail on all areas of UK planning.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • Holmes & Hills' staff are very professional and knowledgeable when it comes to the complexities of planning and they are a pleasure to deal with.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • Holmes & Hills always gives direct advice and can discuss the issue with other precedents in mind.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

  • Holmes & Hills has a friendly, specialised and well-experienced team of experts on planning and development matters.

    Planning & Environment respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jo Lilliott
    Jo Lilliott

    Jo Lilliott

    Jo Lilliott is a highly regarded practitioner sought out by public and private sector clients for her deep expertise in Section 106 agreements and highway law. She regularly acts for local authorities and has significant experience in large residential developments and in advising on local development orders.

    • Jo has an incredible wealth of knowledge with regards to planning law. It has been great working with her.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Jo is amazing. She quickly and easily explains complex matters and negotiates solutions and routes forward in a pragmatic and friendly way.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Jo is an amazing authority on all matters involving Section 106. She deals with all aspects of the process with speed and authority.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Jo is extremely experienced in both the public and private sectors and provides top-quality service and advice.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Jo is an excellent all-rounder on all planning matters really. She is very responsive by email and telephone.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK
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  • Michael Harman
    Michael Harman

    Michael Harman

    Michael Harman is head of Holmes & Hills's compulsory purchase and development consent division. He has expertise in assisting public sector authority and private landowners in protecting the value of their land during development disputes.

    • Michael has delivered constantly outstanding levels of professional legal service to multiple of our clients. He is always professional and very knowledgeable.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Michael is the most client-centred lawyer I know. He is extremely focused on generating the best outcome for clients and has a particular knack for understanding what really matters to the client.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Mike always has a good view on our queries and can point us in the right direction to overcome any issues.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Mike is a highly impressive professional. He is seemingly indefatigable and always goes the extra mile to defend his client's interests, even in difficult cases.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • I trust and value Michael's judgement and calmness under pressure.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK
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  • Steven Hopkins
    Steven Hopkins

    Steven Hopkins

    Steven Hopkins is the managing partner of Holmes & Hills and has extensive experience of contentious planning law matters. He frequently acts for developers, planning consultants and private landowners on a range of contentious planning and property litigation issues.

    • Steven is the Oracle, and my go-to starting point for any knotty legal or procedural matter whatsoever.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • It has been an enormous relief to be able to turn to Steven for strong, clear advice and support.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • I have found Steven to have wide-ranging knowledge and experience on both real estate and law of property, together with planning and development. He also has considerable commercial awareness.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Steven's knowledge has proved really useful for planning enforcement issues.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK

    • Steven has a breadth of experience and expertise that is very strong.

      Planning & Environment respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Holmes & Hills LLP (3)

East Anglia

Members

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