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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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Our Planning and Compulsory Purchase team advise on all stages of consenting development.

We guide clients through the complexities of planning law and policy, ensuring that every aspect of the planning process is managed with precision and care. Our expertise covers the early stages of application proposals through to securing final consents and managing any challenges that arise.

We work closely with developers, local authorities, and stakeholders to craft bespoke strategies that align with each client’s specific goals. Our support includes advising on consultation strategies, navigating public engagement, and managing the legal frameworks that underpin successful planning outcomes.

With a deep understanding of both local and national planning policies, we position our clients to achieve their development objectives.

For projects in Scotland, our Scottish-qualified planning lawyers provide in-depth knowledge of Scottish planning law, compulsory purchase, and environmental matters. We have advised on some of Scotland’s largest energy projects, including offshore and onshore wind farms, as well as major regeneration and development initiatives.

By collaborating with specialists across planning, real estate, environmental law and public inquiries, we deliver comprehensive solutions. This approach allows us to anticipate potential challenges and address them proactively, safeguarding our clients’ interests at every stage of the planning process.

Our team provides comprehensive support from the submission of planning applications to robust representation in judicial reviews.

Services

Planning strategy

Tailored strategies to optimise securing the required consents, ensuring compliance with law and policy and stakeholder engagement.

Application document review

Detailed review of all application documents including planning and environmental statements.

Negotiation with authorities

Close liaison with planning officers and stakeholders during the determination of applications.

Appeal guidance and documentation

Drafting of grounds of appeal and related documents and representation at all modes of appeals including in-house advocacy.

Judicial reviews and challenges

Defending and challenging planning decisions in higher courts.

Interpretation of planning consents

Detailed advice on the scope of planning permissions and conditions, and the applicability and extent of any permitted development rights.

Planning obligations

Drafting and negotiating complex planning obligations and infrastructure agreements and advising on liability for community infrastructure levy (CIL).

Development constraints

Advising on constraints to development including green belt designation, town and village green registration, and common land applications.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Advising on the strategy for securing statutory BNG.

Due diligence

Undertaking due diligence for site acquisition and disposal.

Our team

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Examples of our work

Engie

Advising Engie on the consenting of a 2,300 dwelling residential-led mixed use scheme at the former Rugeley Power Station with detailed advice on environmental impact assessment and CIL.

St Modwen

Advising St Modwen on the consenting and phased implementation of a new settlement at Locking Parklands, near Weston Super Mare, with detailed planning and highway agreements.

YTL Developments

Advising YTL Developments on securing the phased outline planning consent of a 6,500 dwelling community and adjacent music arena with a “monitor and manage” approach to phased mitigation.

Stevenage Borough Council

Advising Stevenage Borough Council on all aspects of its 20-year town centre regeneration project comprising 7,300 new properties, improved transport and connectivity links and new retail, leisure and sports facilities.

Isle of Anglesey County Council

Acting for Isle of Anglesey County Council on a judicial review claim made in relation to the status a of planning consent for a leisure village at Penrhos.

Landowner

Advising a landowner on the planning strategy relating to an appeal for the delivery of 450 dwellings at a sustainable site in Oxfordshire and co-ordinating the public inquiry process.

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What others say

“Burges Salmon's advice is always robust and commercially aware.”

Chambers 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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