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Matthew Tucker

Senior Associate

About

Matthew is a senior associate in the firm’s Planning and Compulsory Purchase team, having joined the firm in 2023. He acts for developer and local authority clients, advising on a broad range of planning and compulsory purchase issues in order to unlock the delivery of large-scale, comprehensive schemes of development, including substantial schemes of residential development and significant infrastructure development.

His practice involves assisting clients with all practical, legal and strategic considerations required to deliver ambitious development projects. He advises on the full breadth of planning matters, including planning strategy, Section 106 Agreements, Biodiversity Net Gain, use of compulsory purchase powers, compulsory purchase compensation, permitted development, use classes, highways, appropriation, listed buildings, Community Infrastructure Levy and the delivery of supporting infrastructure.

Matthew also advises both public and private sector clients on contentious planning matters, including planning appeals, enforcement action and applications for judicial review. He has particular specialist knowledge and experience of compulsory purchase orders, and he frequently advises acquiring authorities, objectors and third parties engaged with all aspects of the process.

Experience

The Environment Agency: Acting for the EA as acquiring authority on the Environment Agency (Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme) Compulsory Purchase Order 2023, enabling more than 5 kilometres of flood alleviation measures in the Oxford area.
Local authority client: Recently advised on planning strategy and infrastructure agreements required to enable the delivery of a new 10,000-home garden village in a sustainable location.
Developer client: Currently advising on legal agreements required to enable the sale of nitrate credits to developers for nutrient neutrality purposes.
CPO objector: Advised the successful objector to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (Vicarage Field and surrounding land) Compulsory Purchase Order, which, following a public inquiry, the Inspector opted not to confirm in October 2022.
Developer client: Currently advising a client on planning strategy, all legal agreements and associated planning and highways matters arising in relation to a new 6,500-home urban extension, including 3.7m sqft of commercial property, new transport infrastructure, a significant level of purpose-built student accommodation and 15 acres of green space in an accessible and sustainable location.
Developer client: Currently assisting a client with planning strategy, interface with stakeholders and all relevant legal agreements in relation to an ambitious new 3,300-unit scheme of development, including 214 acres of open space and up to three new schools.