Planning & Infrastructure Lawyers

Planning and infrastructure law is constantly evolving, making it challenging to stay ahead.

Our specialist team of planning lawyers and infrastructure lawyers provides clear, practical advice tailored to your needs, helping you navigate the complexities with confidence. Whether you're planning a development or managing infrastructure projects, we're here to support you across England and Wales.

Planning and infrastructure law is complex and ever evolving.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, lender, occupier, or landowner, our team provides clear, practical advice to help you navigate challenges and achieve your goals. We also work closely with local authorities, schools, and universities, offering tailored support for their planning needs.

We offer expert guidance on all aspects of planning law, from applications and appeals to enforcement and regulatory compliance. For infrastructure projects, we specialise in onshore pipeline transportation rights, compulsory purchase, and development consent orders (DCOs). Working with national operators, we understand that timing and cost are crucial. Our team delivers clear, commercially focused solutions designed to keep your project moving forward efficiently, giving you confidence at every stage.

If you’re a landowner affected by infrastructure developments, compulsory purchase orders or DCOs, we can also help negotiate protective provisions and safeguard your property rights.

When you work with us, you’ll have direct access to specialist, knowledgeable lawyers who provide continuous support for urgent and high stakes matters.

We take a pragmatic approach, ensuring you receive clear, practical advice that helps you make informed decisions and secure the best outcome for your project or business.

Our expertise

Our long-standing relationships with pipeline and infrastructure operators enable us to provide specialised guidance on transportation rights, enforcement, restrictive covenants, and crossing agreements. No matter the challenge, our expertise ensures you move forward with clarity and confidence.

We work with a diverse range of clients, from private developers and public agencies to religious and educational institutions. This broad experience allows us to offer tailored advice, addressing the unique needs of each project.

For national infrastructure projects, our experience on both sides - supporting developers and representing affected landowners - gives us invaluable insight into negotiations and dispute resolution. By understanding the priorities of all parties, we take a pragmatic, commercially focused approach to secure the best outcome.

Our planning lawyers advise on the following areas:

Planning law and policy is a complex area for anyone interacting with the planning system. We advise on the need for planning, planning strategy and the planning process for landowners, developers, businesses, local authorities, schools, universities, infrastructure operators, government agencies/departments and individuals.

Securing planning permission often requires carefully negotiated legal agreements. We assist local authorities, landowners, and developers with drafting, negotiating, and completing s106 agreements. Our support extends to related agreements for highways works and utility installations, ensuring developments comply with legal requirements while progressing smoothly.

Planning disputes can be complex and time-sensitive. We guide local authorities and applicants & developers through planning appeals and judicial reviews, providing strategic advice, drafting legal agreements, and representing clients at Inquiries. With ongoing support throughout the process, we help navigate challenges efficiently to secure the best possible outcome.

Our infrastructure lawyers advise on the following areas:

National infrastructure operators rely on strong legal agreements to protect their networks. We assist with acquiring and renewing landowner agreements for onshore pipeline assets, ensuring operators have the necessary rights to maintain and expand their infrastructure while safeguarding long-term operational security.

Public and private sector landowners often need to accommodate utility infrastructure on their property. We advise on the legal agreements required for third-party developments, ensuring landowners fully understand their rights, responsibilities, and the financial or operational impact of granting access to utility providers.

When third-party national infrastructure projects intersect with existing networks, operators must safeguard their assets. We negotiate and draft protective provisions for inclusion in Development Consent Orders (DCOs), ensuring continued access and operational security. Our team also liaises with the Planning Inspectorate to advocate for our clients’ interests during the examination process.

Combines an analytical approach with a clear grasp of the practicalities and the strategic dimension.

Chambers & Partners

Our work highlights

Southampton to London pipeline – securing land and rights

We advised on the acquisition of rights for a new 97 km cross-country pipeline, securing easements, leases, and transfers with over 250 landowners. Regular updates and financial reporting ensured a smooth process. We also negotiated protective provisions within the Development Consent Order (DCO) to safeguard key interests.

Natural History Museum – planning agreement for redevelopment

We acted for the Natural History Museum on the s106 agreement securing planning permission for its exterior redevelopment. This involved navigating issues related to its Grade I listed status, local employment commitments, and transport considerations to ensure a legally sound and sustainable development.

St Albans District Council – minerals planning appeal

We represented St Albans District Council in a minerals planning appeal concerning Ellenbrook Park, a locally significant green space. Working to tight deadlines, we collaborated with local authorities, landowners, and applicants to protect public access during and after mineral extraction.