GB LEGAL

Our focus is you 

We advise on the full spectrum of planning law matters, from planning applications and appeals to advising on the legalities of large scale private and social housing developments. We are also experts on heritage and conservation matters and regularly advise individuals and groups of residents on planning enforcement and objections. We are often asked to advise on how recent regulations, such as water neutrality requirements for new developments might affect planning proposals. 

With offices across the South East and in London our consultants have a deep understanding of the way local markets operate and how the priorities of individual planning authorities impact planning decisions. We leverage this knowledge in our work with major developers and others, to secure permission and assist in developing sustainable projects that maximise land value and achieve maximum financial returns.

Our track record speaks for itself, successfully having project-managed and delivered a host of major residential and commercial development and regeneration schemes in the UK.

We also advise on many smaller projects and have recently secured permission for; schemes to extend hotels, sports training facilities, logistics developments, barn conversions, rural housing, town centre apartments, new places of worship and nursing/care homes.

We regularly advise on the submission of planning applications to build on land, to extend dwellings and permission for change of use of buildings  and appeals relating to proposals for extensions to dwellings, new housing within existing gardens as well as enforcement issues.

What can our planning consultancy do for you?

Our planning consultants offer advice on a wide range of planning matters, including site promotion, planning applications and appeals. There is a particular focus on the residential, retail and leisure development sectors as well as the regulatory regime around waste and renewables, infrastructure and heritage assets/listed buildings.

Our work includes:

• Planning applications – We help clients navigate the evolving planning system from scheme conception to completion
• Planning appeals –We regularly advise on the written representations/statements that are critical to successful appeals and appear in planning inquiries and appeal hearings as expert witnesses
• Local plan examinations – We work with clients at local and neighbourhood plan development stage, promoting their interests and maximising the potential of development land
• Strategic planning advice – Work includes advising on site appraisals, identifying risks and proactively advising on legal routes alongside potential obstacles in the planning process
• Environmental Impact Assessments – Using comprehensive EIAs to smooth the delivery of large-scale projects and reducing the chance of successful challenges to projects on environmental grounds
• Advice on planning issues affecting Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and other heritage assets generally and liaising with heritage agencies and stakeholders
• Certificates of Lawful Development – advising clients to gather all necessary evidence for a successful application for a certificate, avoiding enforcement action and ensuring any future sale of the relevant land is not complicated by the absence of planning permission
• Advice on water and nitrate neutrality and biodiversity net gain
• Planning enforcement – Including advising on Enforcement Notice appeals
• Community Infrastructure Levy – Guiding developer clients through the complex CIL regulations and ensuring all exemptions and reliefs are applied correctly to reduce the level of CIL payable

Environmental Law

Most businesses are now affected by environmental legislation and the stricter legal measures to combat climate change globally. To avoid regulatory sanction and safeguard your commercial reputation it’s essential to be aware of your legal responsibilities.

We advise clients through this complex regulatory landscape, helping them to make decisions that will benefit their business and keep them up to date with the evolving legislation.

If you would like more information or require any planning advice, please contact us at your convenience.