Ranking tables

Planning | UK

South West

This ranking table reflects contentious and non-contentious work relating to planning as well as environmental matters. Work includes, for example, advice on planning applications or regulatory compliance matters as well as representing clients in disputes arising from planning- and environment-related issues.

Rankings overview for Lawyers

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S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Patrick Robinson
    S
    Patrick Robinson
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Planning
    2026 | Senior Statespeople | 29 Years Ranked

    Patrick Robinson is esteemed for his expertise in relation to energy and transport projects. He advises clients on public inquiries, compulsory purchase and development consent orders.

1

Band 1

  1. Elizabeth Dunn
    1
    Elizabeth Dunn
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years Ranked

    Elizabeth Dunn is highlighted for her deep expertise in nationally significant infrastructure projects, particularly in relation to the energy sector. She also advises clients on the planning elements of regeneration schemes.

  2. Gary Soloman
    1
    Gary Soloman
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 21 Years Ranked

    Gary Soloman is well respected in the planning sphere, with a particular specialism in the compulsory purchase process. He has a strong practice acting for local authorities and house builders in matters relating to regeneration schemes and infrastructure developments. He also supports clients in planning inquiries.

  3. 1
    Jonathan Bower
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 19 Years Ranked

    Jonathan Bower is commended for his strength in relation to the planning aspects of major regeneration schemes and nationally significant infrastructure projects, including compulsory purchase orders, primarily for local authorities.

  4. Julian Boswall
    1
    Julian Boswall
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 27 Years Ranked

    Julian Boswall is a highly acclaimed planning lawyer with extensive experience in nationally significant infrastructure projects, particularly in regard to the transport and energy sectors. He has notable experience providing counsel on compulsory purchase orders and consent orders.

  5. Katherine Evans
    1
    Katherine Evans
    TLT LLP
    TLT LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 28 Years Ranked

    Katherine Evans is commended for her expertise in relation to a range of planning issues, including compulsory purchase, town and village greens and complex infrastructure agreements. She advises clients such as landowners, public bodies and financial institutions on large-scale developments.

  6. Neil Bromwich
    1
    Neil Bromwich
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Osborne Clarke LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked

    Neil Bromwich is highly regarded for his expertise acting for clients in the energy, house builder and telecommunications sectors. He advises on both contentious and non-contentious planning issues such as strategic planning, compulsory purchase and judicial reviews.

  7. 1
    Victoria Redman
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked

    Victoria Redman receives praise for her substantial expertise in handling contentious and non-contentious planning matters, including planning agreements, judicial reviews and development consent orders. She represents developers, local authorities and energy companies in relation to development and expansion schemes.

2

Band 2

  1. Caroline Waller
    2
    Caroline Waller
    Clarke Willmott LLP
    Clarke Willmott LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked

    Caroline Waller has considerable expertise acting for landowners, local authorities and developers in relation to planning issues arising from residential and mixed-use developments. She advises clients on a range of matters such as judicial reviews and appeals, as well as Section 106 agreements and planning obligations.

  2. Chris Charlton
    2
    Chris Charlton
    Clarke Willmott LLP
    Clarke Willmott LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked

    Chris Charlton specialises in acting for developers, local authorities and landowners on large-scale urban extensions and residential and mixed-use developments. He is also experienced in advising clients on inquiries and planning issues such as Section 106 agreements.

  3. 2
    Kevin Gibbs
    Charles Russell Speechlys
    Charles Russell Speechlys | Planning
    2026 | Band 2 | 29 Years Ranked

    Kevin Gibbs of Charles Russell Speechlys regularly acts for local authorities as well as clients in the residential, transport and energy sectors. He provides counsel on a range of issues such as compulsory purchase, development consent orders and Section 106 agreements.

  4. 2
    Richard Guyatt
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 2 | 21 Years Ranked

    Richard Guyatt focuses his practice on issues relating to compulsory purchase and development consent orders. He advises particularly in relation to rail infrastructure and land compensation.

3

Band 3

  1. 3
    Anne Harrison
    DAC Beachcroft LLP
    DAC Beachcroft LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked

    Anne Harrison is highlighted for her deep expertise in relation to planning and environmental issues, including Section 106 agreements for residential schemes, planning appeals and the Community Infrastructure Levy. She assists clients with ongoing compliance as well as providing due diligence during business transactions.

  2. Christian Silk
    3
    Christian Silk
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Osborne Clarke LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked

    Christian Silk is a partner with deep knowledge and experience across sectors, including complex environmental law, infrastructure and residential development.

  3. David Richardson
    3
    David Richardson
    Ashfords LLP
    Ashfords LLP | Head of Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked

    David Richardson heads the planning team at Ashfords. He has significant experience acting on behalf of housebuilding organisations, as well as local authorities, advising on mixed-use and residential developments.

  4. 3
    Emma Harling-Phillips
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked

    Emma Harling-Phillips of Womble Bond Dickinson has significant experience in major infrastructure projects, including roadways and energy matters. She is highly sought after by both private and public clients.

  5. 3
    Fergus Charlton
    Michelmores LLP
    Michelmores LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked

    Fergus Charlton acts for residential developers, social housing providers and extractive industries clients. He advises in relation to the renewable energy, retail and housing sectors on strategic planning issues including compulsory purchase and infrastructure agreements.

  6. Helen Hutton
    3
    Helen Hutton
    Michelmores LLP
    Michelmores LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked

    Helen Hutton advises on planning agreements, applications and appeals, as well as judicial review and other court and enforcement actions. Her clients include landowners, developers, non-profits and corporations.

  7. Kathryn Lawrance
    3
    Kathryn Lawrance
    Bevan Brittan LLP
    Bevan Brittan LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 16 Years Ranked

    Kathryn Lawrance is Bevan Brittan's head of planning and acts on behalf of local authorities, NHS organisations and registered housing providers. Her broad expertise in planning issues spans the compulsory purchase process to facilitate development, Section 106 agreements and large-scale regeneration schemes.

  8. Kee Evans
    3
    Kee Evans
    Foot Anstey LLP
    Foot Anstey LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked

    Kee Evans of Foot Anstey is well regarded in the market for assisting clients from the renewable energy and transport sectors with contaminated land and permitting issues.

  9. Rory Stracey
    3
    Rory Stracey
    Trowers & Hamlins LLP
    Trowers & Hamlins LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked

    Rory Stracey is a partner at Trowers & Hamlins. He has a depth of knowledge across the planning regime and Section 106 agreements, and advises on the development of large housing projects.

  10. 3
    Rosalyn Trotman
    Thrings LLP
    Thrings LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked

    Rosalyn Trotman leads Thrings' development group. She is held in high regard for her representation of developers, house builders and landowners. She advises on planning matters such as the Community Infrastructure Levy, planning appeals and infrastructure agreements for development schemes.

  11. Chris Tofts
    Stephens Scown LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3
  12. Duncan Tilney
    Stephens Scown LLP | Planning
    2026 | Band 3
  13. Tim Taylor
    Khift Ltd | Planning
    2026 | Band 3
U

Up and Coming

  1. Cathryn Tracey
    U
    Cathryn Tracey
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Planning
    2026 | Up and Coming | 2 Years Ranked

    Cathryn Tracey has significant experience across a range of planning matters, including large-scale developments and CPOs.

  2. U
    Fred Quartermain
    Thrings LLP
    Thrings LLP | Planning
    2026 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked

    Fred Quartermain's growing reputation is supported by his work representing clients in public inquiry, planning obligation and development matters.

  3. U
    Jade Lyus
    Clarke Willmott LLP
    Clarke Willmott LLP | Planning
    2026 | Up and Coming | 2 Years Ranked

    Jade Lyus has a growing planning practice covering areas such as Section 106 agreements and planning appeals.

  4. James Clark
    U
    James Clark
    Foot Anstey LLP
    Foot Anstey LLP | Planning
    2026 | Up and Coming | 2 Years Ranked

    James Clark is growing his reputation for strong advisory work, assisting clients with matters regarding residential developments.

  5. U
    Stephen Humphreys
    Ashfords LLP
    Ashfords LLP | Planning
    2026 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked

    Stephen Humphrey's planning practice sees him advise clients on large, nationally significant developments, particularly in the renewable energy industry.

Associates to watch

  1. Joshua Taylor
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Osborne Clarke LLP | Planning
    2026 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked

    Josh is recognised for his experience across a range of energy-related planning projects, with a particular focus on development consent orders.

  2. Richard Harding
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Osborne Clarke LLP | Planning
    2026 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked

    Richard Harding is recognised for his advice to developers in relation to residential developments.