Planning & infrastructure solicitors
Specialist planning and infrastructure advice from one of the Thames Valley’s leading property teams.
As one of the Thames Valley’s leading property teams, our specialist planning and infrastructure solicitors provide strategic, commercially focused advice to help developers, landowners, investors and businesses navigate complex planning requirements and deliver successful projects.
Planning and infrastructure matters can have a significant impact on the timing, viability and success of a development. We work closely with clients from the earliest stages of a project, helping them identify opportunities, manage risk and overcome challenges through practical, commercially minded advice.
Working alongside our wider property, development and construction teams, we provide a coordinated approach that supports projects throughout their lifecycle, from initial planning strategy through to securing consents and moving developments forward.
- Trusted by businesses, investors and developers across the UK and internationally.
- Joined-up property advice spanning development, corporate, employment and private wealth considerations.
- Commercially focused, proactive advice and responsive support when timing is critical.
- Commercial property advice backed by a full-service law firm and specialist disputes expertise.
Our planning and infrastructure expertise
We advise on all aspects of the planning process, from initial strategy and site promotion through to obtaining permissions, negotiating planning obligations and delivering development schemes. Our experience covers residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, from individual sites to large-scale projects of strategic importance.
Working closely with our wider property, development and construction teams, we provide a joined-up approach to help clients manage risk, overcome challenges and achieve their development objectives. We advise on planning agreements, Section 106 obligations, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), highways and infrastructure arrangements, utilities provision and other regulatory matters affecting development.
Our expertise includes:
- Negotiating and advising on S106 agreements & unilateral undertakings
- Variations of planning permissions.
- Certificates of lawful use or proposed use and development.
- Alleged breaches of planning control and threats of enforcement.
- The Use Classes Order and the application of permitted development rights.
- The interpretation of planning conditions and planning obligations.
- SANG and SAMM arrangements and agreements.
- Representations and objections on behalf of third parties with an interest in the outcome of planning applications, ensuring that their views are fully taken into account by the planning authority or Inspector.
- Pursuing appeals including at inquiry.
- Planning agreements and unilateral undertakings and variations.
- Infrastructure agreements, including agreements pursuant to S278 and S104.
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Recent planning and infrastructure work
Relevant recent cases include:
- Advising on s106 terms for multiple residential development sites in Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Hampshire and surrounding areas, acting for landowners and developers.
- Successful representations by a third party opposing an application for a Certificate of Lawful Use seeking to legitimise an unauthorised subdivision of a neighbouring property into two dwellings.
- Advising on an s106 within the Thames Basin Heaths SPA, providing for the benefit of reductions in impact of one development to be recognised when considering mitigation measures to be provided elsewhere on another development.
- Advising on s106 issues relating to a large specialised C2 care institution proposed for a site in the West Country, covering travel plan provisions and dealing with complex negotiations relating to policing costs and security issues, including successfully resisting unlawful demands for payments in breach of the Police Act.
- Advising on s106 issues relating to a major extension of corporate office space on a business park in Hampshire including advice on lawfulness of contributions assessed by reference to outdated tariffs.
- Renegotiating s106 obligations on a residential development to ensure demands for affordable housing reflected assessments of financial viability of the site.
- Advising on a successful appeal for retrospective planning permission for changes to layout and improvement of facilities at a caravan park.
- Successfully securing a Certificate of Lawful Use allowing continued all-year retention of mobile homes on a caravan park in Dorset, despite historic conditions requiring removal during winter months.
- Preparation and negotiation of documents for the delivery of privately owned Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) land.
- Supporting landowners with the negotiation and preparation of S106 agreements for 2 adjacent sites (for a total of circa 65 new homes) which straddled jurisdictional boundaries of two planning authorities. Our role included consideration of complex issues including delivery of BNG, SANG, Affordable Housing and other infrastructure.
- Advising landowners in connection with their planning strategy for construction of a new community buildings including delivery of areas intended for public open space.
- Assisting developers and landowners with planning enforcement issues and strategies to resolve planning breaches and regulatory challenges.
- Providing specialist planning advice to a regional developer in for the acquisition of a 73-hectare mixed-use urban extension site in West Sussex with outline planning consent for up to 700 homes and associated community facilities.
- Advising on town and village green matters, including the impact of village green applications on development land and the interpretation of Local Plan “trigger events” under the Commons Act 2006.
Contact us
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Why use our planning and infrastructure solicitors?
Highly experienced in commercial property law
Our solicitors have extensive knowledge across all areas of commercial property and combine technical legal expertise with commercial insight to provide practical, actionable advice. We work closely with clients to provide solutions aligned with their objectives, whether that involves securing the ideal premises, structuring investments, or managing property portfolios.
Collaborative and proactive approach
We liaise seamlessly with accountants, surveyors, planners, and other advisors to ensure a coordinated approach. By anticipating risks and advising proactively, we help clients avoid disputes and optimise opportunities.
Leading full-service law firm
Boyes turner is recognised in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 for commercial property work. As a full-service firm, we provide integrated legal support across property, corporate, employment, commercial and private wealth matters, ensuring a holistic approach to your business needs.
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