Michael Harman

Practice Areas

Michael works with owners of land and property assets, as well as public sector authorities, to maximise or defend the value, potential, or utility of clients’ land and property.

As a partner and head of Holmes & Hills’ Compulsory Purchase and Development Consent Division within the firm's well-regarded Planning Law Department, Michael is experienced in working with and advising local planning authorities, developers, planning and property professionals, landowners, property owners, and community interest groups, aimed at furthering and protecting their interest in land and property assets.

Michael provides expert and strategic legal advice and representation regarding complex planning, development consent order, compulsory purchase, and blight matters. Michael advises and represents clients in respect of:

- Planning appeals (including Statutory Challenges and Judicial Reviews in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal)

- Breaches of planning and listed building control and enforcement issues (including Breaches of Condition, Enforcement Notices, - Injunctions, and Prosecutions)

- Certificate of Lawfulness (existing and proposed development)

- Permitted Development rights

- Strategic planning matters

- Development Consent Order (DCO) and Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) schemes and blight claims

- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations

As a specialist planning solicitor in Holmes & Hills' Legal 500 recommended Planning Law Department, Michael has, for a number of years, contributed to a leading Planning Law publication in the UK - Sweet & Maxwell's 'Planning Law Practice and Precedents’. Michael is also personally recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Partner, and by Chambers and Partners as Band 2 for his expertise and experience in Planning Law.