At Roythornes, our specialist planning solicitors have much experience supporting land and property owners as well as developers and housebuilders to achieve their strategic goals, whether it be obtaining planning permission for new developments or assessing the impact of major infrastructure schemes on their land and interests.
Working alongside builders, developers, and local authorities, we take a commercial and practical approach to what can sometimes be a lengthy and complex area of law. In conjunction with our Commercial Development and Living teams, we provide a complete and comprehensive service, tailored to suit individual needs.
How we can help you
- Planning, highway and infrastructure agreements, including complex Section 106 agreements including provisions on biodiversity net gain; affordable housing; and financial contributions
- Advice to housebuilders on strategic and tactical issues from scheme inception to delivery
- Large-scale planning process including housing, industrial and retail and all forms of energy schemes
- Planning appeals, planning inquiries and call-ins
- Judicial review of planning decisions, including proceedings in the High Court
- Advice on enforcement, including appeals
- Certificate of Lawfulness
- Permitted development (PD) rights and temporary planning permissions
- Initial and general advice on Compulsory Purchase Orders
- Planning issues in relation to renewable energy schemes
- Diversion and stopping up of public rights of way and footpaths
- Objecting to and/or defending planning applications
- Audits of environmental impact assessments
- Planning due diligence on acquisitions and sales
- Contentious and non-contentious planning work of all forms
Get in touch with our planning solicitors today
For further information about commercial planning matters, get in touch with our solicitors in Alconbury, Birmingham, Nottingham, Peterborough or Spalding.
Our development and planning expertise
We provide an extensive and integrated planning service spanning all of your legal needs. Some aspects of real estate and planning projects we can advise upon include:
Strategic planning matters
Our team can work closely with you and your planning consultant through every stage of the planning and development process, from developing a strategy to delivering projects. We apply a high level of commercial-awareness and understanding of your objectives at all times.
Planning applications and appeals
We can assist with planning applications and appeals for all types of development including residential property developments and commercial property developments, from small-scale projects to large ones. With years of experience under our belts, our planning solicitors are able to act in matters of all complexity, handling a wide range of unique aspects, including planning objections, affordable housing requirements and environmental issues.
Planning, highway and infrastructure agreements
We can advise on all commercial agreements related to planning, highways and the provision of infrastructure, including:
- Section 106 agreements
- Infrastructure agreements with utility companies and local authorities, such as section 104 agreements in relation to water and drainage
- Highways agreements (such as section 38 and section 278 agreements)
- Diversion of highways and footpaths
Local Plan processes
Our team can guide you through Local Plan processes, including liaising with local planning authorities, promoting potential development sites for inclusion within a Local Plan and advising on Neighbourhood Plans.
Planning enforcement
We represent developers, individuals and public bodies in alleged breaches of planning rules, including appealing against Planning Contravention Notices, Enforcement Notices and other planning notices and orders, liaising with planning authorities during investigations, and providing robust defence services if the risk of prosecution arises.
Compulsory purchase issues
Our planning solicitors can provide initial advice to you in relation to Compulsory Purchase Orders made by local authorities and other public bodies to acquire your land or property without your consent. We can help you navigate this complex area of law along with barristers to promote your rights and achieve the best possible outcome in the circumstances.
Public rights of way and footpaths
Our planning team can provide advice on all matters surrounding access, such as:
- General advice on resolving issues with public rights of way
- Representing landowners and developers in relation to footpath applications
- Diverting rights of way
- Extinguishing or obstructing rights of way
- Advice on common land and village green rights
- Advice on right to roam
- Negotiating easements
Land and property development
We are leading lawyers in commercial property development. As well as our planning expertise, in order to provide cradle-to-grave service for clients, our wider team can advise on :
- Site acquisition
- Instructing and operating management companies
- Development contracts and agreements
- Site assembly
- Plot sales
- Environmental issues
Sales and acquisitions
Our Planning team work closely in conjunction with our Living and Plot Sales teams to provide a highly customised service for clients looking to buy or sell property or land for planning and development. We assist everyone, from individuals looking to acquire their first development property to established corporations looking to expand an extensive property portfolio.
Our experience includes:
- Purchasing development sites for commercial, residential, retail or industrial use
- Portfolio acquisitions and disposals
- Purchases and sales of brownfield sites
- Conducting due diligence
Contentious planning and development
Our specialist team can provide assistance when disputes arise in the course of your commercial planning matter. Our expertise includes:
- Advising in relation to planning appeals and objections
- Representing clients in public inquiries
- Conducting judicial review proceedings
- Issuing proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court
Additional reading
Our expert team have written a number of blogs surrounding planning matters. If you’re interested in learning more, please click here, or see below for a selection of our recent posts.
- New BNG Legislation
- Labour’s new planning reforms: it’s a grey area
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BDG) now mandatory on small development sites
Get in touch with our planning solicitors today
For further information about commercial planning matters, get in touch with our solicitors in Alconbury, Birmingham, Nottingham, Peterborough or Spalding.