Planning is a central area of law and one which is seemingly in a constant state of flux as the national debate about housing and land uses rages.

Planning law touches on almost every aspect of property work – whether commercial or residential and CooperBurnett is well placed to support its clients with their planning law needs whether big or small.

Obtaining planning permission for development is principally the job of planners looking at the local plan as well as national guidance (the ‘national planning policy framework’). But legal input can be vital to help our clients either to obtain – or sometimes even prevent – the grant of planning permission.  

To obtain the grant of planning permission, a range of statutory agreements under the Town and Country Planning Act and the Highway Act can be entered into between landowners and local authorities. They provide for payments to be made or for works to be carried out that mitigate or accommodate new development and they extend to the emerging concept of a ‘conservation covenant’.  We can also review emerging draft planning permissions to ensure conditions are lawful and proportionate. Occasionally, we are asked to look at planning from the opposing side, either to prevent development from occurring or, more realistically, to achieve development which has less of an adverse impact on neighbours.