Planning

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.

Our members, backed by a proactive and skilled clerking team, provide advisory and advocacy services to the highest standard and represent clients across both the public and private sectors. We pride ourselves on being accessible and commercially astute whilst offering sound legal and strategic advice.

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. Most recently, members have been involved in the proposed expansion to Heathrow Airport, proposed nuclear power stations, petitions to HS2 and large-scale residential developments, including new town settlements.

We have specialist knowledge in every aspect of Planning and Environment Law, including:

• Commercial, Employment and Retail Development
• Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO)
• Development Plans
• Energy and Infrastructure
• Enforcement Law (Including Gypsies and Travellers)
• Environment
• Green Belt and AONB
• Heritage
• Highways and Rights of Way
• High Court Litigation
• Minerals and Waste
• Residential Development
• Village Greens and Commons

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.

Recommendations 

"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

No5 Barristers’ Chambers has a wide range of expertise across construction, planning and environmental matters, including in infrastructure and development projects.
Legal 500 2017

No5 maintains its reputation as the leading planning set in the Midlands and is home to an impressive list of Silks and Juniors. It offers wide-ranging expertise across planning law from compulsory purchase orders to energy and infrastructure matters, and has an excellent reputation for High Court challenges and judicial review work.  Members of the set regularly act for national developers and housebuilders and are instructed by prominent consultancies. Sources remark them being a "heavyweight in planning" noting that No5 does some incredible work in the planning sector".
Chambers UK 2017