Local Government

Chambers is highly ranked by the leading independent legal directories for its work across a broad spectrum of local government work including in particular for planning, licensing, local government finance and compulsory purchase.

The Legal 500, 2024 notes that FTB is "one of the leading local government sets with experience across the board in local government law" and a "fantastic set to work with." Chambers and Partners 2023 comments that Francis Taylor Building has "very good level of expertise across the board" and "good-quality work".

Chambers' expertise includes all aspects of local government law and procedures:

Local government powers
- Planning
- Licensing
- Local government finance including rating and the Council Tax
- Compulsory purchase
Highways, Commons and Open Spaces
Election law
Education
Assets of Community Value
Public Procurement
Public health and environment
Maladministration
Standards in local government

Members of chambers have been involved in cases involving the Commissioner for Local Administration, the Parliamentary Commissioner and the Standards Board for England. In Hong Kong members have acted for public utilities and developers on major matters.

Junior members of Chambers also attend secondments at local and public authorities where they advise and appear on a variety of different local government issues.

21

Jan' 26

Viability Consequences of Planning Obligations Not Material to the Determination of an Application To Discharge or Modify Those Obligations Under s.106A

In the long awaited decision on the appeals by Hodson Developments (Ashford) Ltd and others against the non-determination of their applications to Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council to modify or discharge 122 obligations contained in the 2017 Section 106 Agreement governing the 5,750 dwelling development at Chilmington Green, Ashford, the Inspector has dismissed all but 5 of the requests outstanding at the close of the Inquiry. The appellants were seeking a reduction in s106 costs of c£99M.

14

Jan' 26

Permission Granted for Rhydcar West Sport and Leisure Resort

Permission was granted on 7 January for the Rhydcar West project, comprising a landmark ski centre, sport and leisure resort in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. The grant of planning permission follows the Welsh Government’s confirmation, given in November 2025, that the application would not be called in and the holding direction would be lifted.

"One of the leading local government sets with experience across the board in local government law" and a ‘" fantastic set to work with."

Legal 500, 2024

"very good level of expertise across the board" and "good-quality work."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

"Areas of particular strength for the set's members include cases relating to local government finances and council tax, as well as complex public health, licensing and highways matters. The team is also regularly called upon to advise on ratings and land valuation matters, and offers considerable expertise in relation to compulsory purchase orders and compensation."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

"The team is highly regarded for its expertise in rating matters, and handles instructions relating to local government finances, council tax, licensing and compulsory purchase orders and compensation."

Legal 500, 2022

"The set as a whole has extremely knowledgeable and hard working barristers with a wealth of experience and offers a good range of barristers within different price ranges."

Legal 500, 2022

21

Jan' 26

Viability Consequences of Planning Obligations Not Material to the Determination of an Application To Discharge or Modify Those Obligations Under s.106A

14

Jan' 26

Permission Granted for Rhydcar West Sport and Leisure Resort

24

Feb' 26

Licensing Update Seminar for Local Authorities in Wales

The programme will be announced in early 2026

Practical Information

Time: Registration from 2.00pm. Seminar from 2.30 - 5.30pm.
Venue: Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS
Booking: There is no charge to attend but places are limited and must be reserved in advance using the online booking form.

23

Feb' 26

Planning Law Update Wales for Solicitors, Consultants and Developers

Confirmed speakers: Morag Ellis KC, Gregory Jones KC, Annabel Graham Paul, Claire Nevin and Armin Solimani from FTB. They will be joined by Dr Charles Mynors from the Welsh Government.

Confirmed topics:

Infrastructure consenting update
Renewables update
Legislation update - are we nearly there yet?
Contaminated land
Case law update

Practical Information
Time: Registration from 2.00pm. Seminar from 2.30 -6.00pm followed by a drinks reception until 7.00pm.
Venue: Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS
Booking: There is no charge to attend but places are limited and must be reserved in advance using the online booking form.

24

Feb' 26

Planning Law Update Wales for Local Authorities and Other Government

Confirmed topics:

Infrastructure consenting update
Renewables update
Legislation update - are we nearly there yet?
Contaminated land
Case law update

Practical Information
Time: Registration from 9.30am Seminar from 10.00am - 1.00pm.
Venue: Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS
Booking: There is no charge to attend but places are limited and must be reserved in advance using the online booking form.

25

Mar' 26

The Law of Public Rights of Way, Commons and Town or Village Greens Seminar (Hybrid)

The event will be chaired by Douglas Edwards KC a leading silk in this field who acted for the successful appellant in Lancashire CC v SSEFRA [2019] UKSC 58 and has appeared in the recent cases of Cotham School and Strack.

Contributors include Richard Honey KC, Meyric Lewis KC, Philip Petchey, Annabel Graham Paul, Ned Westaway, Charles Forrest, Merrow Golden, Brendan Brett, Michael Feeney, Stephanie Bruce-Smith, Claire Nevin and Armin Solimani.

It is designed to be accessible to lawyers, practitioners and interested individuals at all levels, recognising the wider public interest in the footpath and open space network.

This seminar will address topical issues in the law of public rights of way, common land and town or village greens, including:

Deregistration of common land and town or village greens
Trigger events for town or village green applications
Statutory incompatibility
Public rights on common land and the implications of Darwall v Dartmoor
Landowner actions: signs and notices
The diversion of public rights of way
The cut-off date for definitive map modification orders and update on the Deregulation Act 2015 amendments
Section 31, interruptions, and foot and mouth disease in light of Ramblers’ Association
The King Charles III Coast Path
The Aarhus Convention
Review of recent appeal decisions

Practical Information
Date: 25 March 2026
Time: Registration from 10.00am. Seminar from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Drinks reception from 5.30-6.30pm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Venue: The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Crown Office Row, London EC4Y 7HL or online via Zoom.
Booking and cost: The standard rate per person is £100+VAT for both in person or virtual attendance. A reduced fee of £50 + VAT per person is available for civic and amenity groups. There are a limited amount of free places for local authorities. Please contact Deirdre Mahon to enquire. Please note that payment must be made prior to the event. VAT invoices will be sent by Eventbrite with booking confirmations.

Book now