Planning inquiry help?

I work with individuals and groups, ranging from local community campaigns to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), opposed to environmentally damaging developments.

I specialise in particular in advising and representing individuals and campaign groups on all stages of planning applications and public inquiries (including Compulsory Purchase and Road Order inquiries).

Expertise

Over recent years, I've acted for objectors on a large number of major development projects, including football stadiums (Arsenal, Brighton, Everton), road building schemes (Westbury By-Pass, Stonehenge, M6 Heysham Link), quarries, housing and retail developments, sewage treatment works, allotments, and urban regeneration schemes. Clients have included Friends of the Earth, CPRE, The Woodland Trust, the Campaign for Better Transport, Surfers Against Sewage and the Green Party.

Having worked for over 20 years as an environmental lawyer (barrister and solicitor), most recently with EarthRights, I have very wide experience of all aspects of environmental and planning law, and access to an extensive network of technical and legal experts. As a non-practicing solicitor I can provide advice, representation at public inquiries, and, where necessary, instruct barristers and technical experts.

I have been a member of the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF), since its foundation in 1991, and am also a member of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (E-LAW), an international network of lawyers and experts.

I have particular specialisation in Environmental Impact Assessment and European Directives (Habitats, EIA, Water and Waste), as well as UK planning legislation, policy, and guidance.

My briefing, Using the law to challenge a planning decision, gives a quick overview.

How can I help?

I can provide a "one-stop" service for individuals and groups on contentious development issues, from the initial application stage, through to Local Planning Authority Committees, to inquiry representation.