Planning, Environment & Sustainability
Planning and environmental laws are increasingly complex and with climate change they control some of the most important issues facing our world.
Our team of experts provide holistic planning and environmental advice for developers, local authorities, utility companies and entrepreneurs for both residential and commercial real estate projects. We also offer specialist planning and sustainability advice tailored for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector, media and entertainment businesses, life sciences and pharma companies, advertising and marketing sector, as well as the tech and communications industry.
Our team has a separate bespoke planning service for private clients and family offices which includes carrying out planning feasibility assessments, legal audits and strategic advice to secure permission, pre-application enquiries, preparing and submitting planning and listed building applications, drafting objection letters to planning or licencing applications as well as acting for clients at appeal or judicial review.
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In conjunction with our real estate and construction colleagues we also have a collaborative arrangement with architects and financial advisers to provide a “one stop” service for finding and building your own home whether in town or in the country. Click here to download the guide.
Related items
What the appointment of a previous incumbent as housing minister means for planning: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource
24 November 2023The reappointment of a former Westminster City Council planning committee member as housing minister should herald broad continuity with the approach of his predecessor, say observers. But Lee Rowley will have his work cut out overseeing secondary legislation to implement the measures in the recently passed Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.
Sara Hanrahan featured in PCD Club’s November issue
22 November 2023Sara Hanrahan interviewed for PCD Club’s ‘Meet Our Members’ feature. In the 35th edition of PCD Club’s digital magazine, Sara discusses her passion for sustainability, helping junior lawyers excel in their careers and her greatest achievements to date.
Towards Net Zero in London's Bankside Yards
22 September 2023Overlooking the iconic St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern, Lewis Silkin hosted another fantastic ESG focused event “FutuRE Proofing the Office: Journey to Net Zero”. The event, held at the stunning new Lewis Silkin office with its panoramic 360-degree views, brought together Native Land, the Carbon Trust, Lewis Silkin, and a group of invitees from across various business sectors. The purpose? To engage in a conversation about proactive strategies for future-proofing buildings, achieving net-zero emissions, and enhancing landlord’s and tenant’s sustainability credentials.
Recent High Court decision refining on Finney and S73 changes affecting operative wording
12 September 2023On 6 September, the High Court handed down judgment in R (Fiske) v Test Valley Borough Council [2023] EWHC 2221 (Admin), to quash a decision granting planning permission pursuant to S73 TCPA 1990 for a solar farm development in the Test Valley.
Hotels: Clearing the air – green trends in the hotel industry
01 September 2023Fuelled by the climate crisis, green-minded stakeholders are applying ever-increasing pressure on hotel companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This is not surprising given that, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the carbon emissions generated per room per night in UK hotels are as high as 10.4 kg CO2e.
When we can expect the government to push ahead with its delayed changes to the NPPF: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource
10 July 2023When the housing department published its consultation on draft changes to national planning policy last December, it said the immediate revisions would take effect this spring. However, the government’s consultation response is yet to appear and officials are reluctant to give a timescale.
The implications of proposed powers for councils to block slow developers: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource
11 May 2023A legislative tweak allowing councils to refuse applications anywhere in their area from applicants deemed slow to build out a site will be challenging to implement, may unfairly penalise smaller developers and could deter brownfield redevelopment, commentators fear.
What to expect from revisions to the NPPF and other policy changes this summer: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine
06 July 2022The levelling up bill includes a section on digitalising the planning system. Last Autumn, the government launched the PropTech Engagement Fund to support the widespread adoption of digital citizen engagement tools and services within the planning process. The second round of projects was announced in June. Some of the results of this initiative are expected in September.