Planning

Kings Chambers has been providing excellence in planning for over 70 years. Chambers was founded as a response to the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act by C N Glidewell, and has an unrivalled reputation for the highest standards of advice and advocacy.

Kings Chambers has produced some of the leading barristers in the field of planning;in recent years that has included figures of the eminence of Charles Cross, Sir Iain Glidewell (a former Lord Justice of Appeal), Sir Douglas Brown (formerly The Hon Mr Justice Douglas Brown), Mrs Justice Patterson and The Hon Mr Justice Gilbart. The current Head of the Planning Group, Paul G Tucker QC is the Vice Chair of PEBA (Planning and Environment Bar Association) and two other Kings Chambers’ planning barristers, Ian Ponter and Sarah Reid are also committee members. Sarah Reid and Constanze Bell are also committee members of Women in Planning and were both recognised as Women of Influence in the 2019 Planner Awards.

What our Planning Barristers offer

Kings Chambers’ Planning barristers have been involved with most of the major development projects throughout the country. From the Retail Inquiry which led to the Trafford Centre and the Second Runway at Manchester Airport in the 1990s, and all manner of developments since.  Barristers at Kings Chambers are nationally renowned as providing an excellent service.

Kings Chambers’ Planning barristers are experienced at dealing with both the smallest hearings and the largest inquiries, both of which involve different though complementary skills for the advocate. Members will assist in drafting submissions as to the mode of appeal as well as advising and representing clients throughout the process. Whether that is the appellant who is seeking to  secure planning consent or a local authority looking to oppose the granting of consent at appeal. Chambers prides itself on a team-working approach and members make themselves available to guide the preparation of cases from the earliest stage and throughout the process. This includes every stage including advice, representing clients at appeal, and on occasion in the High Court.

Who our Planning Barristers act for

Kings Chambers’ Planning barristers act for developers, housebuilders, land promoters, local planning authorities and residents and regularly appear at planning appeals including public inquiries and informal hearings and in all types of court proceedings including legal challenges or judicial reviews in the Planning Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. They also represent clients in criminal matters relating to planning and highways in magistrates courts and the Crown Court.

There are presently four Queen's Counsel and 20 junior counsel who regularly act in planning cases. Together they have contributed to the recognition of chambers as a pre-eminent planning set.

Areas of Planning Law we cover:

• Affordable Housing
• Airports
• Assets of Community Value
• Commons & Village Greens
• Compulsory Purchase (CPO) & Compensation
• Development Plans
• Energy & Utilities
• Enforcement
• Habitats and Protected Species
• Heritage
• Housing
• Judicial Review & Statutory Challenges
• Lands Tribunal
• Minerals & Waste
• Planning Appeals
• Public Rights of Way
• Regeneration
• Renewable Energy
• Retail
• Transportation & Highways
• Travellers

What the directories say about our Planning Barristers;

Chambers UK 2021

Northern/Northern Eastern - Kings Chambers remains the pre-eminent set for planning expertise in the North of England and attracts a wealth of praise from instructing solicitors. Barristers at the set handle complex planning appeals and inquiries and are adept at acting for both appellants and local planning authorities. Members of Kings Chambers handle everything from objections to residential developments, to compulsory purchase matters and listed buildings issues.

"It is a really good, rounded set," says one source, who adds: "If I have clients that have a particular need in terms of experience, I know I can find somebody at Kings."

Midlands - Kings Chambers is well known for its planning expertise and is home to barristers specialising in all areas of planning law. The set is equipped to handle residential development issues and highways matters, among other planning law disputes. Barristers at the set work with a wide variety of both private and public sector clients, including house builders and local authorities, and regularly feature in well-publicised planning appeals across the Midlands Circuit.

Client service: 

Northern/Northern Eastern -

"The clerks are very helpful and collaborative and they are keen to support training initiatives."

"The clerking service provides a smooth and professional service by ensuring that instructions are allocated in a timely manner, and to the 'best fit' barrister for the matter."

"Mark Ronson, the senior clerk for planning, will go out of his way to find us a barrister and he's really good at organising meetings."

Gary Smith is the chief clerk for planning and public law and Louise Barnes is the senior Leeds clerk.

Midlands -

"They provide excellent service."

"I have always found the clerking service to be very efficient."

Gary Smith is the chief clerk for planning and public law.