Planning

Ashfords' Planning Team is experienced in advising both developers and local planning authorities in connection with contentious and non-contentious planning matters. Our solicitors also specialise in advising third parties who wish to comment or object upon development proposals. Our team includes several former local authority in-house solicitors so 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 on topical planning matters for both the public and private sectors and we also regularly speak at external conferences. Members of the planning 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;
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;
injunctions;
highways law;
Section 38 and 278 Highways Act agreements;
footpath modifications and diversions;
listed buildings law;
conservation law;
commons, town and village greens;
traffic regulation orders; and
agricultural occupancy conditions.

Recent work undertaken includes:

providing planning advice, and negotiating section 106 agreement and harbour works licence for Olympic Sailing Centre, Osprey Quay, Weymouth;
advising national housebuilders in connection with the negotiation and modification of planning obligations;
representing the Helford Village Society in its judicial review of the grant of planning permission for a fishing jetty;
acting for Derby City Council in seeking an injunction to prevent the demolition of a listed cinema; and
acting as advocate at a public inquiry for a 13 storey residential tower in Bristol.

Please click link to view additional examples of work undertaken by the Planning Team