The Planning and Environment Group at No5 is widely acknowledged by industry professionals and the legal press as being one of the leading sets of planning and environment barristers in the country.
The team, backed by a proactive and skilled clerking team, ‘has an established reputation for excellence in planning law’ and provides advisory and advocacy services to the highest standard, representing a wide range of clients across both the public and private sectors. We pride ourselves on being accessible and commercially astute whilst offering sound legal and strategic advice.
Members regularly appear in the Appeal Courts, including the Planning and Administrative Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, as well as the County, Crown and Magistrates Courts, and frequently appear at planning inquiries, hearings, Examinations in Public and DCO Hearings
Expertise
Host to some of the leading barristers in the field, members have been involved in many of the UK’s major cases over the last three decades. We have specialist knowledge in every aspect of Planning and Environment Law, including:
- Commercial, Employment and Retail Development
- Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO)
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Enforcement Law (Including Gypsies and Travellers)
- Environmental Law
- Green Belt and AONB
- Heritage and Listed Buildings
- Highways, Footpaths and Rights of Way
- High Court Litigation
- Minerals and Waste
- Residential Development
- Planning Appeals - Inquiries and Hearings
- Village Greens, Commons and Assets of Community Value
Chambers also houses a specialist Real Estate group which is regularly instructed by national developers, local authorities and landowners in connection with substantial property and land disputes. Members of the group handle a wide range of matters including development contracts, option agreements, overage clauses, easements, covenants and disputes concerning commercial and domestic properties. Further details can be found here
Recommendations
No5 Barristers' Chambers remains one of the strongest sets in the Midlands for both planning and environmental work, with clients referencing them as 'one of the pre-eminent planning law sets outside of London'.
Legal 500 2021
"No5 Barristers' Chambers has an established reputation for excellence in planning law throughout the Midlands and further afield. Many of the barristers at the set are highly experienced in major infrastructure and development issues. Members of the set continue to handle major planning inquiries and well-publicised cases, and have recently appeared in the challenge to the government's decision regarding the expansion of Heathrow Airport, as well as numerous challenges to high-value residential schemes."
Chambers UK 2021
No5 Barristers' Chambers possesses significant experience in all aspects of planning law, with expertise in a wide range of development and infrastructure planning issues. The set also boasts a wealth of experience in highways issues and village green cases. The set's clients include local authorities, house builders and energy companies. Members of chambers have recently been involved in several high-profile matters, including the proposed additional runway at Heathrow Airport and several major housing developments across the UK. The set is described as the "pre-eminent planning set outside of London, with a very strong regional hold and planning barristers working all over the country."
Chambers UK 2020
"Members of No5 Barristers' Chambers handle a broad range of construction, planning and environmental matters. Infrastructure and development projects are prominent in the team’s workload; Paul Cairnes QC is acting for a developer in an appeal against the local planning authority’s decision to refuse planning permission for a major urban extension on greenfield land. Christopher Young QC took silk in 2018."
Legal 500 2019
"No5 Barristers' Chambers demonstrates considerable capability in planning matters. It possesses particular strength in commercial and residential developments and also handles infrastructure cases. Its clients range from developers and house builders to retailers and energy providers. A recent highlight was Richborough Estates v Cheshire East Council and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, a Supreme Court case concerning a housing development in Cheshire."
Client Service: "Brilliant service. The planning clerks are great."
Chambers UK 2019
"The clerking is very good and very accessible at all levels. They are always keen to help." "The set is great at relationship-building. The clerks are well organised, good at communication and able to relate to clients."
Chambers UK 2018 - Planning
The standout environmental set in the Midlands, whose members continue to appear in all manner of courts, from tribunals to the appeal courts. Barristers from the set impress with their expertise in cases concerning conservation, waste, water and contamination. They also come recommended for their regulatory practice and are regularly instructed in permitting cases.
Client service: "A very organised and helpful set.”
Chambers UK 2018 - Environment
