Clerked by: Mark Ronson Gary Smith
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Philip has a broad planning and environmental practice. He acts for developers and local authorities throughout the country, at all stages of the process – preparation of applications, local plan examination, injunctions, prosecutions, inquiries and High Court appeals.
This has included residential schemes, compulsory purchase orders and on a number of high profile and large-scale developments.
He has been consistently ranked as one of the top rated planning juniors in the country.
Year of Call: 2011
Philip has built a practice representing and advising local planning authorities, developers and rule 6 parties in all areas of planning law.
Residential
Philip has appeared in a significant number of inquiries and hearings, covering a range of key issues.
Some recent examples include:
Alongside a busy appeals practice, Philip regularly advises developers, land promoters and LPAs on issues relating to residential schemes. This includes strategic advice relating to the preparation of applications with issues relating to Green Belt, local plan development and linked infrastructure.
Mixed Use and other forms of development
Philip has acted on appeal and advised on a number of large mixed use schemes, involving retail, care homes, employment uses, for local authorities and developers.
Recent examples include:
Philip also has experience advising on applications to crematorium development and appearing at inquiries covering such development. This has included:
Enforcement
Philip has a busy enforcement practice advising and appearing at appeals for land owners and LPAs. This has included a number of cases relating to caravan sites, change of use, unauthorized development.
Philip also has experience in agent of change cases relating to the impact of new development on existing businesses.
Other
Successfully acted for Doncaster Council in opposing development for Crematorium– 2022”
Philip has experience bringing and defending proceedings in the Planning Court, covering a broad spectrum of legal issues involving grants of planning permission, appeal decisions, and enforcement and injunctions.
Newey v South Hams DC [2018] EWHC 1872 (Admin) – concerning the application of the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 to the decision to discharge a planning condition.
Forest of Dean DC v SOSCLG [2016] EWHC 421 (Admin) – key authority on the interpretation of NPPF §14 and footnote 9.
Jane Lewis v Bath and North East Somerset Council – Acting for the claimant, the Council consented to quash a grant of planning permission due to a misinterpretation of local plan policies and national policies on conservation areas.
Graham Lock v Worcester City Council – Acting for the claimant, the Council consented to judgment to quash a grant of planning permission due to a failure to take into account consultation responses and a misleading officer report.
Lingley Estates and Redrow Homes v Cheshire West and Chester Council – Acting for the defendant in a claim against the adoption of the Council’s CIL schedule. The claim was dismissed at an oral renewal hearing.
Philip has a growing practice in compulsory purchase, infrastructure and energy. He has been involved in a number of projects, both large and small.
Philip recently produced a paper on the role for renewables in the economic recovery from the Covid 19 crisis – available here
PEBA
UKELA
BVC, BPP Holborn
LLB (Hons), King’s College London
MSc, Birkbeck College, University of London
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2023
"Great client service, always approachable and timely in providing responses. He is pragmatic and able to take opposing views into consideration."
"Very accessible and easy to work with."
"Brilliant junior and a star of the future. Also an excellent inquiry advocate."
Legal 500 2023
"Philip is a skilled advocate and routinely provides detailed but pragmatic legal advice. A particular strength is his closing submissions in planning appeals; he cuts right through to the heart of the issues and makes clear and concise legal arguments. His manner is professional but extremely approachable. He is a delight to work with."
Chambers UK 2022
"His written advocacy is very eloquent, and he is also very personable and easy to deal with."
Legal 500 2021
"He gives extremely clear and strong advice the likes of which we have rarely seen. He cuts through matters with extraordinary clarity and this strength of clarity can be seen not only in his written advice but also in his advice in person and as an advocate."
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Mark Ronson
Gary Smith
Paul G Tucker QC and Philip Robson successful in appeal for 460 home urban extension in Tewkesbury
Paul G Tucker QC and Philip Robson overcome 7 reasons for refusal in a significant appeal win in Bath
What? A Nuisance?
Liverpool Law Society: 2023 Costs Conference (online)
Have We Got Planning News for You: Season 9 Episode 4 - Sue Bridge BSc (Hons), Dip…
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