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 Chambers, Paul G Tucker QC is the Vice Chair of PEBA (Planning and Environment Bar Association) and two other Kings Chambers’ planning barristers, Jonathan Easton and Sarah Reid  are also committee members.

Giles Cannock QC is Head of the Planning Group and John Barrett is Deputy Head.

What our Planning Barristers offer

Kings Chambers’ Planning barristers have been involved with most of the major development projects throughout the country. These include major infrastructure projects, logistics schemes and other major development. We also have a very large housing practice and our clients include most of the major housebuilders and land promoters.

Kings Chambers’ Planning barristers can provide advice and representation at all levels whether you require a QC or a very junior barrister. Our barristers are happy to accept instructions very early in the process of development and to advise through to the conclusion whether that is the appellant who is seeking to secure planning consent, acting on behalf of an objector or a local authority looking to oppose the granting of consent. This includes every stage including advice, representing clients at appeal, and when required in the Planning Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Who our Planning Barristers act for

Kings Chambers’ Planning barristers act for developers, housebuilders, land promoters, local planning authorities and other public bodies and private individuals 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 six Queen's Counsel and 20 junior counsel who regularly act in planning cases. Together they contribute 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
• DCO’s
•  Development Plans
• Energy & Utilities Enforcement
• Habitats and Protected Species Heritage
• Highways
• Housing
• Infrastructure
• Judicial Review & Statutory Challenges Lands Tribunal
• Logistics
• Minerals & Waste Planning Appeals Public Rights of Way Regeneration Renewable Energy Retail
• Travellers

What the directories say about our Planning Barristers;

Chambers UK 2023

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. A source describes Kings Chambers as "the stand-out planning set in the North." 

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.