Planning | UK

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has one of the best-resourced planning teams in the country. The firm guides a broad portfolio of projects through all stages of the planning process, from preliminary advice to High Court challenges. The team is frequently engaged on high-profile and complex matters, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and large residential-led developments. It also continues to act for infrastructure developers on projects in and around London.

Herbert Smith Freehills is an established commercial development outfit that is also capable of handling substantial energy and infrastructure projects. The team holds a strong record across a range of sectors and project types including tall buildings and mixed-use developments. The firm often acts for private sector developers and continues to be involved with various matters at public inquiry.

Pinsent Masons has a firmly established team, fielding a broad range of planning law experts. Major areas of focus include energy and infrastructure, such as nuclear and renewable energy facilities, as well as high-value residential and commercial projects. It acts for property developers and infrastructure providers, as well as local authorities.

Ashurst has a celebrated practice, advising on the full spectrum of planning law. The team's areas of expertise include compulsory purchase orders and compensation claims, major mixed-use and residential projects, and high-value office developments. The team is supported by the firm's environment practice, enabling practitioners to assist clients at the intersection of planning and environmental matters.

BDB Pitmans has an infrastructure-focused outfit specialising in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. The team often handles large-scale projects in the energy and transport sectors and regularly advises on Development Consent Orders, as well as mainstream planning applications. The firm acts for a diverse range of clients, including TfL, London Luton Aiport and various local authorities.

CMS has a strong energy and infrastructure offering, as well as regularly engaging in residential and commercial development, assisting such high-profile clients as the All England Tennis Club and the National Grid. It is particularly adept at advising on urban regeneration schemes and London area developments.

Clyde & Co has a highly respected planning team active in a range of industrial and infrastructure schemes. It offers expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, promoting complex developments through judicial review, public inquiries and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project examinations. The team frequently advises clients on leisure, commercial and residential projects.

Dentons assists public and private sector clients with a range of planning matters, including Community Infrastructure Levy and compulsory purchase order matters. The team is frequently instructed by private developers and local authorities to advise on large-scale housing projects. It is also experienced in handling high-value regeneration schemes and major retail developments.

Gowling WLG's planning team has an impressive client list that includes local authorities and a number of large developers. It is well-versed in compulsory purchase, and regularly advises on a range of issues related to development schemes. The team also handles contentious planning matters, including appeals, litigation and judicial review work.

Mishcon de Reya's planning practice is adept at handling contested planning applications and other litigation. The team also routinely advises high net worth clients on residential development, including conversions and listed buildings. It is further noted for frequent instruction on high-value development projects.

Addleshaw Goddard's planning team handles a range of planning matters, acting for Aviva, Birmingham Airport and other prominent clients in the energy, transport and housing sectors. It is regularly engaged to advise on prominent infrastructure projects and significant Section 106 agreements, and also offers extensive experience handling residential development projects.

Clifford Chance is active on sizeable development schemes as well as a number of infrastructure projects, including those in the energy and transport sector. The team takes on compulsory purchase matters, complex planning applications and consenting issues.

Hogan Lovells' practice is known for advising on some of the largest and most notable planning cases in the market. The team is frequently engaged in big-ticket infrastructure, regeneration and urban extension projects. It also provides high-quality advice on complex, large-scale residential developlments.

Charles Russell Speechlys is frequently instructed by developers and other household names to advise on redevelopment and regeneration projects. The team offers expertise in advising on a variety of matters, including planning applications, planning agreements and Environmental Impact Assessments. It is noted in particular for its strength in negotiating Section 106 agreements.

Farrer & Co's planning team frequently advises on the full range of legal aspects relating to ambitious urban development and community mixed-use projects. Landed estates, high net worth individuals and overseas investors also instruct the firm to assist with planning issues. Judicial reviews are a strong suit of the team's contentious practice.

Forsters' planning team is best known for its work on regeneration projects in London and the surrounding conurbation, as well as handling residential and commercial development. Its clients include major developers, institutional investors and local authorities.

Freeths frequently acts for local authorities, developers and commercial property owners, particularly in relation to Development Consent Orders and planning agreements. The team also has experience in public inquiries and judicial reviews, demonstrating its ability to handle contentious matters.

Sharpe Pritchard handles the full range of planning advice, acting regularly for local authorities, councils and developers, in London and elsewhere in the UK. It assists with infrastructure and residential projects and has a particular specialism in judicial reviews.

Taylor Wessing has a compact team that advises clients on a range of planning matters in the residential and commercial property spheres. Regularly assists organisations with planning matters relating to real estate acquisitions and logistics deals. It has particular experience in advising on sports facility redevelopments.

Trowers & Hamlins advises on the full range of issues relating to commercial and residential development work, assisting with planning strategy, negotiating contracts and the application process. Its clients are often local authorities and public institutions, as well as private developers and investors, based in the UK and further afield.

Winckworth Sherwood maintains a strong private residential development practice, with expertise in urban extensions, tall buildings and highway schemes. The firm routinely works with local authorities, and offers notable expertise in planning strategies and related litigation and appeals.