Planning
Introduction
Ashfords' Planning team acts for all parties on planning matters including land owners, local planning authorities, developers and third party objectors in respect of both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. As the team includes several former local authority in house solicitors we are well placed to advise all sides on how to achieve their objectives.
We are at the forefront of developments in planning law, advising planning authorities upon the standardisation of planning agreements and the development of roof taxes. Our team provides an annual seminar programme and we also regularly speak at external conferences. Members of the team have participated in recent reviews of aspects of the planning system undertaken by the DCLG and the Audit Commission.
Work handled includes:
- Negotiating of planning applications
- Environmental impact assessment
- Planning obligations/section 106 agreements
- Affordable housing
- Enforcement issues
- Lawful use applications and appeals
- Planning appeals, including written representations, hearings and advocacy at public inquiries
- Local development framework representations
- Discontinuance and modification orders
- Judicial reviews and high court challenges
- Highways law
- Section 38 and 278 Highways Act agreements
- Footpath modifications and diversions
- Water and drainage law
- Listed buildings law
- Conservation law
- Commons, town and village greens
- Traffic regulation orders
Recent work undertaken
We advise developers, land owners and all types of public sector bodies on planning matters. The following are some recent examples:
- St Austell Town Centre – section 106 agreement for town centre redevelopment and CPO;
- Cranbrook – East of Exeter new settlement – advising the County Council on highways, education and social services requirements;
- Olympic Sailing Centre – Osprey Quay, Weymouth – planning advice, section 106 agreement and harbour works licence.
- Advising developers and landowners on large scale residential developments in Yeovil, Exeter, Saltash, Camborne and Newquay
- Advising local authorities on major developments in Barnstaple, Bideford, Torridge.
- Assisting a Cornish planning authority to develop a standard charge
What others say about us
The calibre of planning and compulsory purchase work handled by Ashfords in Exeter sets the firm apart as the regional leader. Regeneration is a core focus, and the team specialises in advising local authorities, development agencies and landowners, particularly in relation to CPOs .
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2007 Edition
"Universally well-regarded" practice head John Bosworth serves clients from his base in Exeter and the firm's Bristol office.
