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Planning and compulsory purchase

Nationally recognised planning and compulsory purchase lawyers offering expert legal advice across diverse industry sectors throughout the UK.

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We are nationally recognised for our expertise in planning and compulsory purchase and for the high-quality work we deliver across the UK.

We provide comprehensive planning law advice to both public and private sector clients, guiding them through the entire development process from consenting strategy to legal challenges and beyond to implementation of their planning consent.

Understanding that planning law can be complex and difficult to navigate, our team combines legal expertise with in-depth knowledge across various industry sectors and practical advice to secure the right outcomes for our clients.

We offer advice on issues integral to development proposals, including infrastructure agreements and compulsory purchase. As market leaders, we specialise in consenting complex projects, ensuring that developments meet the necessary legal requirements to ensure effective and timely delivery. With substantial experience in both Scottish and Welsh planning law, our team offers tailored advice that addresses the unique aspects of these differing regimes.

Our planning lawyers also collaborate closely with our real estate, environment and energy teams on regeneration projects, property development, and renewable and nuclear initiatives. We work seamlessly with multi-disciplinary teams, including planning consultants, technical consultants and barristers.

Committed to shaping the future of planning law and the compulsory purchase regime, we actively participate in national events, lead workshops and webinars, and engage with key industry bodies, including NIPA, CPA and the Renewable Energy Association.

Our planning and compulsory purchase team provide comprehensive support and guidance tailored to your specific needs whether you are subject to English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish planning regimes.

  • Consenting strategy: Expert guidance on developing and executing strategies for obtaining the necessary consents for your development project.
  • Application preparation: Comprehensive support with application document review, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), and community engagement efforts.
  • Planning obligations: Skilled negotiation and drafting of planning obligations and infrastructure agreements for landowners, developers, local authorities, and funders.
  • Planning appeals: Representation and advocacy at public inquiries and hearings to secure consents.
  • Interpretation of consents: Expert advice on interpreting consents and conditions and requirements.
  • Enforcement issues: Assistance with enforcement issues and certificates of lawful use to ensure compliance with planning regulations.
  • Biodiversity net gain and habitat banks: Guidance on ensuring you meet the statutory requirements for biodiversity net gain (BNG) through on-site or off-site provision, habitat banks and related initiatives. Advising on the creation and management of habitat banks.
  • Advice on governance: Comprehensive support on local authority powers, procedures, and policies.
  • Scottish and Welsh planning law: Specialist advice on planning applications, negotiating with authorities, and managing complex energy, infrastructure and development projects in Scotland and Wales.

Our expertise

Planning consents

Our Planning and Compulsory Purchase team offers expert legal support for planning applications, appeals, statutory challenges and infrastructure agreements across the UK, including specialist advice on Scottish planning law.

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Compulsory purchase and compensation

Advising on compulsory purchase orders and compensation matters for acquiring authorities, developers, and landowners.

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Heritage

Specialist legal advice on both obtaining consents for developing heritage assets and the impact of neighbouring developments on the preservation of heritage assets.

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Highways and public rights of way

Providing landowners, developers and local authorities with legal advice on all aspects of highway planning and public rights of way.

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Environment, habitats and biodiversity

Strategic legal advice on environmental matters that are needed when considering development and planning applications including biodiversity net gain, environmental impact assessments and habitats regulation assessments.

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Infrastructure consenting

Innovative legal and strategic advice and expert training for clients navigating the NSIP planning process from pre-application to construction.

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Development constraints

Expert legal advice on town and village greens and commons for developers, and landowners.

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Our team

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Examples of our work

Redrow Homes

Assisted Redrow Homes with planning applications and strategic planning for a 7,000-house garden city near Cardiff, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and community engagement.

Energy Wylfa nuclear power station

Provided comprehensive legal support for the Energy Wylfa nuclear power station, covering strategy, planning applications, and compulsory purchase for major energy projects and associated developments.

Redevelopment of a large brownfield site

Delivered strategic advice for the redevelopment of a large scale brownfield site at Filton Airfield to deliver a 6,500 dwelling new community and adjacent arena, ensuring smooth project delivery.

Critical road infrastructure projects

Advised on and secured planning permissions, compulsory purchase orders and side road orders for critical road infrastructure projects across South-West England and South Wales.

Local highway network in England

Secured numerous NSIPs and Highway Act Orders for significant works to the strategic and local highway network in England; leading the market in advising multi-disciplinary teams to secure Development Consent Orders for offshore wind farms in England and Scotland.

Renewable projects in Scotland

Advising on the repowering of renewable projects in Scotland.

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What others say

“Burges Salmon provide professional, effective and high-quality advice.”

Chambers UK 2025

“They are highly experienced, deeply involved in major relevant associations, and have a well developed network.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

“Brilliant team that holds its own and has personnel of genuine, sector leading quality and experience.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

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Insights

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