Planning

Chambers has a reputation for excellence in planning and related areas of law and is consistently featured in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 for our expertise and leading role in the field.

Chambers and Partners 2023 notes that “They are the doyens of the Planning Bar. On top of their game." The Legal 500 2023 comments that “Francis Taylor Building is excellent, with considerable strength in depth when it comes to planning matters, with members who are second to none and excellent to work with”.

Members are instructed by both the private and the public sectors. Whilst private clients include many of the country's largest commercial operators, Chambers is also respected for its work on behalf of community and interest groups, small businesses and individuals.

Work in the public sector is for local government and for other public bodies.

Chambers undertakes work in all areas of planning law, appearing at:

Planning and enforcement appeal inquiries
Development plan inquiries
Examinations in public and in the law courts when challenges are made to administrative decisions

Members are regularly instructed in relation to a broad spectrum of schemes including:

Residential Housing
Retail
Leisure and sport
Commercial
Major infrastructure projects
Listed buildings
Advertisements
Trees
Minerals
Local plans
Section 106 and CIL agreements
Hemp farms, cannabis laboratories, processing plants and changes of land use
Restrictive covenants

12

Mar' 25

Oxpens Bridge JR Dismissed by High Court

The challenge to the grant of planning permission for Oxpens Bridge by Oxford City Council has been dismissed. Oxpens Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge designed to enhance connectivity throughout and beyond the designated Oxford West End and Osney Mead “Areas of Change” including along and across the River Thames.

11

Mar' 25

James Pereira KC and Michael Rhimes To Start 12-Week Call-In Inquiry Into c. 8400 Home Extension to Sittingbourne

James Pereira KC and Michael Rhimes represent Swale Borough Council in a 12-week call-in inquiry which the applicants bill as a new Garden Village-style extension to Sittingbourne.

"FTB are one, if not the, leading planning set. And with good reason, they have strength in depth and an excellent breadth in their members."

Legal 500, 2025

"Francis Taylor Building is an excellent set - very professional and are always the first choice of chambers. The clerks are friendly, approachable and know their areas and members well. They have good availability of members and always make clients feel valued."

Legal 500, 2025

‘FTB is one of the leading barristers sets for planning." "Chambers is full of excellent barristers and has a deserved strong reputation in the planning world."

Legal 500, 2024

"They are the doyens of the Planning Bar. On top of their game."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

"They have enormous strength in depth, and are a top set in the field. I would be confident in recommending this set to my most important clients. They are always thinking ahead to how this field of law might evolve and change."

Legal 500, 2023

"Excellent, with considerable strength in depth‘ when it comes to planning matters, with members who are second to none and excellent to work with."

Legal 500, 2023

"A very capable planning set we have sent the majority of our planning instructions to this year."

Legal 500, 2023

"Francis Taylor Building is an excellent set and always my first choice. Over the years I have worked with ten members (a mix of juniors and silks) and have always been impressed by the standard of FTB’s advice and the positive, collaborative attitude of the barristers."

Legal 500, 2023

"These chambers have extraordinary strength-in-depth with a wealth of talented barristers. It covers all areas of law but is particularly strong on planning and environmental matters. There is always someone available at the right level of expertise and seniority to assist. I have worked with several QC’s and junior barristers from these Chambers and they are all on top of their game.’

Legal 500, 2022

"Francis Taylor Building is renowned for its dedication to planning work. The set has the capacity to take on the full range of planning matters, from compulsory purchase and compensation issues to environment, highways, and town and village green law."

Chambers and Partners 2022

"Francis Taylor Building is my first choice set. I have worked with circa 10 barristers (mix of juniors and silks) and have consistently received a great service. I know that whatever the subject matter, there will be a barrister with the requisite expertise and/or experience."

Legal 500, 2022

"Their combined expertise of the planning sector is exceptional, including in particular their infrastructure and compulsory purchase capabilities."

Chambers and Partners, 2021

"The clerks at Francis Taylor Building are absolutely superb and very quick to get back to you." "The team is very agile and very commercial in terms of their approach and you can discuss things based on client needs."

Chambers and Partners, 2022

12

Mar' 25

Oxpens Bridge JR Dismissed by High Court

11

Mar' 25

James Pereira KC and Michael Rhimes To Start 12-Week Call-In Inquiry Into c. 8400 Home Extension to Sittingbourne

James Pereira KC and Michael Rhimes represent Swale Borough Council in a 12-week call-in inquiry which the applicants bill as a new Garden Village-style extension to Sittingbourne.

19

Mar' 25

Hybrid Breakfast Briefing on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill: getting Britain building?

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has landed. At this Breakfast Briefing, FTB barristers will discuss some of its key provisions relating to reforming planning decision-making, streamlining infrastructure planning, and introducing environmental delivery plans.

Chair: Douglas Edwards KC
Speakers: Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC, Hugh Flanagan, George Mackenzie, Esther Drabkin-Reiter, Michael Feeney.

Practical Information

There is no charge to attend but places are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Date: 19 March 2025
Venue: Francis Taylor Building, Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7BY and online via Zoom.
Time: Registration over coffee and pastries from 8.00am. Briefing from 8.30-9.45am.
Booking: To attend in person, please complete the booking form using the book now button below. To attend virtually, please complete this form.

24

Apr' 25

Briefing: Mast Quay Phase II Appeal Decision (Hybrid)

The Mast Quay Phase II Enforcement Notice appeal concerned an unprecedented unauthorised scheme of two tall buildings in a prominent position in Woolwich adjacent to the River Thames. Craig Howell Williams KC and Mark O'Brien O'Reilly acted for the Council throughout the enforcement investigation, advised on the Enforcement Notice itself and acted for the Council at the public inquiry, which heard evidence from 25 expert witnesses over three weeks. The enforcement investigation raised questions of both law and fact as to the correct breach of planning control and the correct remedy where a development is, in its entirety, considered unlawful. The Appeal Decision, handed down on 9 January 2025, is noteworthy in particular for its approach to, and consideration of, viability in an enforcement context, intentional unauthorised development, London Plan policies as to tall buildings and design and the use of conditions to secure significant changes to the existing development. The Decision is also noteworthy in that the Enforcement Notice was upheld whilst planning permission was granted. At this afternoon briefing, Craig and Mark will discuss this interesting landmark case and Appeal Decision. Read more about the case in this news item.

Practical Infrormation

Date: 24 April 2025
Time: Briefing from 4.00-5.00pm followed by drinks.
Venue: In person at Francis Taylor Building, Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7BY
Cost: There is no charge to attend but in person places are limited and must be reserved in advance.
Booking: To attend in person, please complete this booking form or use the Book Now button below. To attend online, please use this booking link.