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

24

Jun' 25

Junction 10 Improvement Scheme DCO Granted

The Secretary of State for Transport has granted the development consent order for the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme, comprising the construction of an all-movements junction at the motorway and other roads which together will unlock the development of major housing and employment on sites to the north and west of Cheltenham.

19

Jun' 25

FTB Receives Five Nominations for the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2025

Chambers has been nominated as Planning and Land Use Set of the Year.

"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

24

Jun' 25

Junction 10 Improvement Scheme DCO Granted

19

Jun' 25

FTB Receives Five Nominations for the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2025

Chambers has been nominated as Planning and Land Use Set of the Year.

30

Jun' 25

Quarterly Planning Case Law Update (Hybrid)

Speakers: Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC, Kate Olley
Date: 30 June 2025
Time: Registration from 4.15pm. Update from 4.30-5.30pm followed by a short drinks reception.
Venue: In person at Francis Taylor Building, Inner Temple, London, EC4Y 7BY and online via Zoom.
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.

02

Jul' 25

Webinar: Welsh Legislation Update

During the last week, two important legislative developments have taken place in Wales. The draft Planning (Wales) Bill has been published which, when enacted, will completely replace the Town and Country Planning Acts in Wales with a streamlined, consolidated piece of legislation. Separately, six statutory instruments have been laid before the Senedd to provide the supporting detail to the new process for consenting significant infrastructure projects in Wales under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.

In a free one-hour lunchtime webinar at 1pm on 2 July 2025, Annabel Graham Paul will provide a simple overview of the main developments and the key details you need to know.

Practical Information

Date: 2 July 2025
Venue: Online via Zoom
Time: 1-2pm
Booking: There is no charge to attend but places must be reserved in advance using the book now button below.

Book Now