Businesses & Corporates

Planning & Environment

A blueprint for success

Our experienced team of environment and planning lawyers provide effective and clear advice on all aspects of planning, highways, infrastructure and compulsory purchase law, cutting to the heart of important issues to increase your chances of success. As such, we are seen as trusted advisors to developers, local authorities and landowners on projects all size and scale, including major regeneration, housing, retail, education, infrastructure schemes and self-build applications.

Whilst the planning system and application process may seem complicated, with the right legal support, clients can improve their prospects of successfully developing a site, either through a Local Plan or Brownfield Register Strategy.

Acting as a development guide over a 10-15 year period, a Local Plan consists of policies which set out how much development is needed and where it should be located. With this in mind, our in-house team of specialists have the experience needed to turn the Local Plan to your advantage, following a clear two-stage strategy to maximise your chances of success.

Meanwhile, the Brownfield Register features a comprehensive list of sites which have been previously developed but are no longer in use (such as old industrial sites). All of these sites are currently available for development, but with the understanding that some have high remediation costs. Given that Local Planning Authorities have the power, with or without application, to grant permission in principle (PiP consent) on these sites, it is much easier to secure approval and begin work.

As with Local Plan, our in-house team has the experience needed to turn the Brownfield Register Strategy to our client’s advantage, ensuring applications are made in a way that fits with planning policies.

Planning & Environmental Law

Our team of environment and planning solicitors support a wide range of clients on some of the largest infrastructure and regeneration projects. Our specialist advice includes:

No matter how big a project may seem, our Planning and Environment solicitors work in partnership with other departments to deliver a comprehensive service, ensuring no stone is left unturned. 

Our recent work:

In recent years, our reputation has given us the opportunity to advise and support a wide range of high-profile clients, delivering first-class legal support to ensure a consistently successful planning and application process. With a wealth of in-house expertise at our disposal, our Planning & Environment team often collaborate with other departments to give clients the best chance of success. Here are just some of the projects our planning solicitors have been involved in:

  • Legal Advisors to Buckinghamshire Council on Schedule 17 Plans and Specifications application, planning applications, lorry route applications and highway issues on the High Speed 2 project Phase One London to Birmingham.
  • Advising Folkstone and Hythe District Council on the successful implementation of the Stopping and Diversion Order relating to the Princes Parade development comprising the mixed use development of a hotel, restaurants, over 150 residential units and leisure centre.
  • Advising Folkstone and Hythe District Council on S106 Agreement and Deed of Variation for development at Nicholls Quarry, Kent, comprising mixed use of up to 650 residential dwellings, employment use, care and extra care facilities, local centre, community and leisure centre and open space.
  • Advising a client on the development of 122 apartments at a brownfield site in Rugby, helping them secure planning permission.
  • Advising an international retailer on proposed works to a listed building in central London, whilst adhering to heritage and accessibility regulations.
  • Advising clients on use of hotels for the provision of temporary emergency accommodation for asylum seekers in London and South East.
  • Advising our client of a central London hotel against a Listed Building Enforcement Notice served for works to a Listed Building, advising on the appeal against the Enforcement Notice and preparation of appeal statement.
  • Preparing Planning Due Diligence Reports for clients for proposed development in West London in regeneration area, proposal for 151 dwellings, affordable housing, relocation of market, new public amenity spaces, highways works and public art.
  • Advising international client on proposal by a Telecoms operator to site telecom equipment on their new development, setting out need to consider alternatives sites, reasons for selections, role of planning permission and permitted development rights.

About Buckles Planning and Environment Law Solicitors

The experienced team here at Buckles can help business’ through the process of applying for planning applications, helping with different section agreements and much more within the Environment and Planning sector.

Buckles Solicitors is a full-service international legal firm providing services and legal representation for both businesses and individuals. With offices all over the UK, France and Spain, our legal advisors offer a wide range of expertise, from environmental & planning and residential property to family planning and international law.

Our planning solicitors utilise their years of experience to get results for your business, working with our other in-house teams if necessary. Whatever stage you are in the planning process, our team’s expert advice allows us to collaboratively meet the needs of you and your business. 

Meet the team

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