Planning

Change is a constant in the planning system. Whether driven by shifts in government policy, evolving national priorities, or emerging societal needs, planning law and policy are continually being reshaped. Recent reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), updates to National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG), and new primary and secondary legislation reflect a broader drive to deliver development where it is most needed – while maintaining essential safeguards.

Expert guidance in a complex landscape

Understanding how these changes are interpreted by local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate, and the courts is critical. Staying informed and responsive to both current and upcoming developments will unlock opportunities and guard against unexpected delays and spiralling costs.

To support clients in navigating this evolving environment, our planning team provides expert legal guidance tailored to the challenges and opportunities presented by a shifting policy landscape. We offer clear, practical, and strategic advice across the full spectrum of planning matters, ensuring the best possible outcomes for every project, no matter how complex.

Our experts have advised on major development schemes and compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for a wide range of clients. They include national housebuilders, registered providers, landowners, land promoters, private investors, statutory undertakers, industrial and manufacturing businesses, and local authorities.

We bring both regional knowledge and national perspective, working on projects across the UK. Our current instructions range from major residential-led schemes in Hampshire, West Berkshire, London, and Oxfordshire to water infrastructure projects involving the use of compulsory purchase powers, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) matters, data centre developments, and two significant regeneration schemes in London.

Penningtons Manches Cooper is very experienced and knowledgeable on all fronts.

Chambers UK

We regularly collaborate with colleagues across our real estate, housing, construction, and dispute resolution teams to provide a seamless, joined-up service. This integrated approach, combined with an up-to-the-minute understanding of the latest changes to case law and legislation, supports you at every stage of the development cycle, from initial strategy through to delivery and beyond.

Whether you are a developer, promoter, landowner, or occupier, obtaining specialist planning advice at the outset of your project is essential. Early engagement helps to mitigate the risk of disruptions, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure your project progresses smoothly. Our planning lawyers are ready to support you with tailored, expert guidance that aligns with your objectives and helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.

How we help our clients

Regional and local plans

Planning applications and appeals

Section 106 planning agreements

Highways, public rights advice, town and village greens

Infrastructure agreements

Enforcement

High Court challenges

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Environmental and ecological habitat protection, including Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs)

Listed buildings and conservation areas

Judicial review and statutory appeals

Compulsory purchase (including promoting)

Insights
All insights

What our clients are saying

They are my go to team for anything planning related.

PLC residential developer

Professional but approachable.

Water industry statutory undertaker

They find a way through.

Developer of major south of England site

Recent work highlights

Section 106 precedent agreement

Acting for the Local Planning Authority on residential developments for 443, 342, 198, and 155 dwellings across strategic housing sites, drafting a precedent section 106 agreement to allow the sites to come forward individually whilst providing its share of overall infrastructure

High Court planning challenges

Acting on numerous High Court challenges including successfully defending the grant of planning permission on an appeal against a challenge made by the local planning authority and overturing a dismissed appeal decision.

Major strategic housing site

Providing ongoing advice to support delivery of a major strategic housing site in Berkshire, including local plan allocation, planning application, section 106 agreement, public right of way considerations, and access requirements. The Local Planning Authority granted planning permission in 2024.

Complex CPO for statutory undertaker

Promoting three compulsory purchase orders on behalf of a water undertaker, including land required to construct a new reservoir. One of the orders was subject to a public inquiry to determine whether it should be confirmed by the Secretary of State.

Major regeneration scheme in London

Advising on compulsory purchase and section 203 matters to facilitate delivery of two long-term, large-scale regeneration schemes in London, including 4,500 dwellings and significant community benefits.

CIL advice for multiple clients

Assisting registered providers, universities, charities and landowners on Community Infrastructure Levy issues, including reversing a CIL liability, lodging appeals against the levy, seeking reviews on relief decisions and interpreting the application of the regulations in relation to proposed developments.

Housing association government funding

Advising a registered provider on the interpretation and application of statutory and contractual requirements relating to the decarbonisation fund including assessing eligibility criteria and how the regulatory framework interacts with funding conditions.

London green belt commercial development

Providing guidance to a landowner on a proposal for a large industrial development within green belt land, along with a major data centre. This involved consideration of existing and previous uses of the site and whether it could be classified as grey belt land.

Mixed-use development in Surrey

Acting for a land promotor on a major residential-led development in Surrey, comprising housing, retail, public open space, formal playing fields and a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). Planning permission was granted in 2024.

Housing association government funding

Advising a registered provider on the interpretation and application of statutory and contractual requirements relating to the decarbonisation fund including assessing eligibility criteria and how the regulatory framework interacts with funding conditions.

London green belt commercial development

Providing guidance to a landowner on a proposal for a large industrial development within green belt land, along with a major data centre. This involved consideration of existing and previous uses of the site and whether it could be classified as grey belt land.

Mixed-use development in Surrey

Acting for a land promotor on a major residential-led development in Surrey, comprising housing, retail, public open space, formal playing fields and a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). Planning permission was granted in 2024.

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