For more than four decades No5 Barristers’ Chambers has enjoyed a reputation for hosting some of the finest advocates at the Planning Bar and residential development has always been at the heart of its practice.
Members of the group have advised on some of the largest residential proposals in the country, including proposed new town settlements at Alconbury, Cranbrook, Harlow, Northstowe, Plasdwr, Sherford, and Wixams. Future new settlements which the group are advising on include schemes in Bedford, Oxford, Bristol, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Harlow and Harrogate.
We have helped define the law surrounding residential development having been involved a number of the most important Court cases in recent times. Cases include Richborough Estates Partnership LLP and another v Cheshire East Borough Council [2017] UKSC 37, Tesco v Dundee (Tesco Stores Ltd v Dundee City Council [2012] UKSC 13) and Bloor Homes East Midlands Ltd v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Anor [2014] EWHC 754 (Admin).
Members of the group offer advisory services of the highest legal quality, whilst always being solution driven and mindful of the commercial reality or political complexity of any given project. We lead from the front, setting clear strategy form the off. The planning process is often complex but we have the necessary experience and expertise to guide clients through the entire planning process, from the conception of a new scheme through to the conclusion of any appeal process. We often find ourselves promoting and opposing schemes that are going through the Local Development Plan process and the appeal process and provide advocacy services at Public Inquiries, Local Plan Examination Hearings, Informal Hearings and Planning Committee.
We regularly act on behalf of housebuilders, strategic land promoters, landowners, homeowners, Local Authorities and third parties in relation to all residential proposals, from the largest regeneration schemes and mixed-use developments through to obtaining planning permission for single dwellings.
Members have extensive knowledge of all issues that can arise within the promotion of a housing scheme including:
- Heritage, listed buildings and conservation
- Education
- Ecology, habitats and Arboriculture
- Housing land supply and numbers
- Green belt and AONB
- Affordable housing
- Environmental impacts including flooding
- Landscape,
- Environmental impact assessments (EIA)
- Planning obligations, conditions and section 106 agreements
- National design space standards (NDSS)
