Conflict between those wishing to develop land and those trying to safeguard the environment is at an all time high. As a result, the laws that relate to planning and the environment are growing ever more complex.

Environmental Law

Whether you are a manufacturer with effluent problems, or perhaps other emissions such as solvents, or a farmer who faces trouble with something like a slurry leak or a chemical spill, you may need our help. We can advise you on where you stand legally and can help you to deal with the authorities, fighting your corner and ensuring that you are treated correctly and fairly.

Planning

Specialist lawyers are needed to work with the different key individuals in the planning process – good teamwork is essential for a project to be successful. Our work extends across the public and private sector, from routine applications to large development projects. Reflecting the profile of our region, we have particular expertise in heritage issues and the rural environment.

The areas we cover include:

• Initial planning advice in relation to specific proposals
• Negotiating planning consents
• Concluding planning and infrastructure agreements with local authorities
• Presenting proposals at local plan inquiries
• Advocacy at planning appeals
• Judicial challenges to the grant of planning permissions
• Advice and advocacy in relation to enforcement action by a planning authority
• Land and Business Sales (including environmental due diligence and risk assessments, negotiation of environmental warranties, indemnities and other available contractual protection)
• Environmental liabilities, (which can have a serious impact on land values, and in particular on the potential liability for the remediation of contaminated land and its development)
• Asbestos Management
• Waste Management
• Compulsory purchase, working on behalf of either acquiring authorities or affected landowners