Harriet Townsend

Practice Areas

Harriet is a leading barrister practising in planning, environment, local government, and related property law. She acts for public authorities, developers, individuals and interest groups throughout England and Wales.

Particular specialisms include compulsory purchase and compensation, environmental impact assessment, the historic environment, and s106/CIL.

Her recent and current cases include:

- R (Finch) v Surrey CC - oil extraction and climate change (Supreme Court)

- R (Kinnersley) v Maidstone BC - judicial review of planning permission, raising heritage issues (Court of Appeal);

- R (Braithwaite) v East Suffolk Council - judicial review of CIL notices (Court of Appeal);

- R (FBHCA) v East Suffolk Council - judicial review termination of beach hut licences;

- R (Future High Street Living) v Spelthorne Borough Council - judicial review of changes to a conservation area boundary;

- Russell v TfL - compensation for highway works.

Harriet’s other work includes

- Planning appeals, and enforcement appeals (various);

- Planning injunctions;

- ROMP applications;

- Objections and compensation for a major highway scheme;

- Other CPO compensation claims;

- Intensive agricultural uses;

- HRA and nutrient neutrality;

- Conduct complaints;

- Information requests.

Career

Called to the Bar (1992).

Mediator (2009).

Professional Memberships

ALBA; CPA; NIPA; PEBA; UKELA.

Publications

'Cornerstone on Councillors’ Conduct' (joint author).

Lexis Nexis (Planning Law Service) – on s106/CIL (continuing).

The Climate Change Act 2008 – Something to be Proud of After All? (Journal of Planning Law 2009).