No5 Barristers' Chambers - Excellence is at the heart of everything we do.
Background

Planning

"No5 Barristers' Chambers is truly a very professional chambers and always provides excellent service."

Legal 500 2023

"No5 Barristers' Chambers is a good set. The KCs and the juniors are very able, and the clerking is exceptional."

Legal 500 2023

"No5 has a wealth of talent and expertise."

Chambers UK 2023

"The clerking is very good and very accessible at all levels. They are always keen to help."

Chambers UK 2018

Chambers has a long-standing reputation for quality advisory and advocacy services in Planning Law, dating back more than half a century.

Our members have been instructed in some of the most important cases (Tesco v Dundee, BDW Trading v Secretary of State, Richborough Estates v Cheshire East BC) and many of the most significant and controversial planning proposals including new town settlements, large scale employment, nuclear power stations, sports stadia, new roads and green energy.

The team ‘has an established reputation for excellence in planning law’ and offers advisory and advocacy services at all levels, from leading KCs to very junior barristers. Our members provide advice from the very conception of a development to its conclusion, whether that be achieving planning consent, at appeal or through to legal challenges in the courts. We assist at every stage in the process, from pre application to planning committee, during an appeal process and through the courts.

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Members act on behalf of developers, land promoters, housebuilders, energy providers, local authorities and private individuals, including local action groups.

Get in touch

For more information:


Expertise

Planning Barristers

Peter Goatley KC

Call 1992 | Silk 2020

Richard Humphreys KC

Call 1986 | Silk 2006

Paul Cairnes KC

Call 1980 | Silk 2016

Richard Kimblin KC

Call 1998 | Silk 2016

Christopher Young KC

Call 1997 | Silk 2018

Hugh Richards

Call 1992

Scott Stemp

Call 2000

Rowena Meager

Call 2007

Jack Smyth

Call 2007

Jessica Allen

Call 2019

Sioned Davies

Call 2019

Anna Stein

Call 2023

Paul Cairnes KC

Call 1980 | Silk 2016

Planning Clerks

Andrew Bisbey

Director of Clerking

Marc Forrest-Thomas

Practice Manager, Planning & Environment

Natasha Clark

Planning and Environment Clerk

Related News, Resources and Events

Events


Annual Planning 2025


Date: 24 Mar 2025
Time: 9am - 4:45pm

Location: The Eastside Rooms

Past Events


Greenbelt Summit

The LURA 2023 spells out change for planning. It aims to bring planning into the 21st Century, to get us building again and to deliver…

Past Events


The Forestry Act : How not to get caught out

Scott Stemp, Daniel Henderson and Jessica Allen are hosting a seminar on 15th October on the Forestry Act 1967. The talk looks to guide landowners…

Podcasts


The Planning Podcast Episode 51 – New NPPF: The Key Changes

After months of anticipation, the new NPPF is finally here, heralding what the Deputy Prime Minister has called a “landmark overhaul” to “shake up a…

Podcasts


The Planning Podcast Ep 50 – Forestry Act and Planning Development: How not to get caught out

Felling trees is frequently an essential element of promoting a site, but the law around felling is complex, and changing fast. Proceeding with felling without…

News


No5 Barristers’ Chambers welcomes 7 new Pupils.

No5 Barristers’ Chambers welcomes 7 new Pupils. We are delighted to welcome 7 new Pupils into Chambers, ready to officially begin pupillage with us next…

Podcasts


Planning Enforcement- Legislative and case law updates

Effective enforcement is key to ensuring a functional planning system, but the legal provisions can be complex. Recent statutory changes have modified long-standing rules around…

News


Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council: further appeal dismissed

Following the dismissals already in the past 12 months of 3 separate appeals, see previous article, a further appeal in Nuneaton and Bedworth for up…

News


Mentoring Scheme for Underrepresented Groups at the Bar

In 2021, Cornerstone Barristers and four other planning, property and public law sets (Field Court Chambers, Francis Taylor Building, Kings Chambers, and Landmark Chambers), set…

Past Events


The Forestry Act : How not to get caught out

Scott Stemp, Daniel Henderson and Jessica Allen are hosting a seminar on 15th October on the Forestry Act 1967. The talk looks to guide landowners…

News


Triple successes for Nuneaton and Bedworth BC

On 28th November 2023 an appeal by Cartwright Homes was dismissed by Inspector Jonathan Edwards, following a hearing, in respect of a proposal for 29…

News


Amber Valley Borough Council v Haytop Country Park Ltd [2024] UKUT 237 (LC)

In an important judgment, the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has allowed an appeal against the First-tier Tribunal’s decision in respect of a set of conditions…

News


Restocking Notices under the Forestry Act 1967 and their relationship with the planning regime

R(Smar Holdings Limited) v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [2024] EWHC 2034 (Admin) Key take-aways: It is lawful to impose a…

News


Green Belt Summit

Following the successful Green Belt Summit Conference, the speakers, including No5’s Richard Kimblin KC and James Corbet, have realised a paper co-authored with LUC ,…

News


Successful environmental prosecution for complainant living in flat afflicted by damp and mould

Jessica Allen has successfully secured an abatement order, compensation and costs for her client in respect of complaints laid against three superior leaseholders and their…

News


The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024

No5 is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for six awards at The Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024 which is due to take place…

News


Green Belt Summit

Yesterday No5 and LUC held a Green Belt Summit at the IET London: Savoy Place. A big thank you to the speakers, Lord Matthew Taylor,…

News


LPA Seminar

Thank you to all who attended the Local Planning Authority Seminar Yesterday. We hope it was both informative and enjoyable for you all.

View all Planning related news

Clerk Team

Marc Forrest-Thomas

Practice Manager, Planning & Environment

marct@no5.com

Natasha Clark

Planning and Environment Clerk

natashac@no5.com

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