Year of call: 1981 | Year of silk: 2003
David Manley KC specialises in planning and environmental law. He is ranked in the leading legal directory, Chambers UK, as Band 1 in both Planning and Environmental Law.
He acts for developers, local authorities and objectors at public inquiries, development plans and in the Planning Court and Court of Appeal. He is also an expert in TVG, CPO and highways. He sits as a TVG Inspector and acts for landowners and developers in resisting TVG claims.
Planning Appeals
Development Plans
Wainhomes (South West) Ltd v. SoSCLG [2013] EWHC 597
Hughes v. South Lakeland DC [2014] EWHC 3979 (Admin);
R (on the application of Mid Counties Co-Operative Ltd v. Forest of Dean DC [2014] EWHC 3059 (Admin);]
Satnam Millennium Ltd v. Warrington BC [2015] EWHC (Admin);
R (on the application of Keith Lucas) v. Oldham MBC [2017] EWHC 349;
David specialises in planning and environmental law. He is ranked in the leading legal directory, Chambers UK, as Band 1 in both Planning and Environmental Law. He acts for developers, local authorities and objectors at public inquiries, development plans and in the Planning Court and Court of Appeal. He is also an expert in TVG, CPO and highways. He sits as a TVG Inspector and acts for landowners and developers in resisting TVG claims.
Planning Appeals
Development Plans
Wainhomes (South West) Ltd v. SoSCLG [2013] EWHC 597
Hughes v. South Lakeland DC [2014] EWHC 3979 (Admin);
R (on the application of Mid Counties Co-Operative Ltd v. Forest of Dean DC [2014] EWHC 3059 (Admin);]
Satnam Millennium Ltd v. Warrington BC [2015] EWHC (Admin);
R (on the application of Keith Lucas) v. Oldham MBC [2017] EWHC 349;
Successfully secured permission for 116 dwellings in the greenbelt for Harlex (RLP Timperley) LLP in Timperley, Trafford – 2023
Successfully secured permission for 595 dwellings in the greenbelt for Barwood Development Securities Ltd and the North West Thornbury Consortium LP in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire – 2023
Successfully secured permission for 23 homes for Bellway in Macclesfield, Cheshire – 2022
Warrington Local Plan – Advised Homes England in relation to a new settlement involving 7,500 new dwellings, a new District Centre, new schools and community facilities in the Green Belt – 2022
Places For Everyone – appeared for Morland Capital No 1 Ltd in relation to an employment land scheme in the greenbelt in Trafford.
Chambers 2025
“David Manley is an exceptional advocate.”
“He is quick to respond to instructions and very pragmatic, commercial and strategic in his advice.”
Legal 500 2025
‘David is brilliant. He always reads the papers, is always laser focused with the job done in the fastest possible time, and he is so funny and accessible and a joy to work with.’
Chambers 2024
“David Manley is a strong and highly experienced advocate.”
“Never a problem going to David Manley for high-quality assistance from somebody who is easy to work with.”
“David has always provided a high level of service and advice across all areas.”
Legal 500 2024
Chambers UK 2023
“David Manley is a dream to instruct. He reads the papers early and spots things other highly expert people have not.”
“David has a very good way of turning up and bringing everyone back to the bigger issues.”
Legal 500 2023
“He really epitomises that terribly accurate, technical silk. An excellent practitioner.”
“David has an excellent ability to see the strategic picture and cut through the detail that clients and consultants can get bogged down in.”
Chambers UK 2022
“He is very confident and eloquent as an advocate and can be ferocious in cross-examinations.” “He’s very clever, very personable and builds good relationships with clients. He particulary knows the personalities involved with a lot of local planning authorities in the North West, which assists in navigating the way forward.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He’s a superb lawyer. He is very measured and his environment work is well regarded.”
“He’s very experienced and gives clear, direct advice.” “He is amazing – top-notch.”
Legal 500 2021
“David is one of the most insightful and forensic barristers I have had the pleasure to instruct. One of the best.”
Legal 500 2020
“Very professional, courteous and approachable.”
Chambers UK 2020
“He is very responsive and his style is very commercial, short and to the point, which is appreciated by clients.”
“Very approachable and commercially minded.” “He is very down to earth and good at concentrating on the key points.”
Chambers UK 2018
“He’s very personable and very able.”
“His deep experience allows him to give excellent advice and guidance on the approach to planning applications. He is authoritative and balanced in presenting the case and in cross-examination.” “An excellent advocate in inquiries.”
Chambers UK 2017
“He is well prepared and analyses the issues, and provides punchy, straightforward advice.” “He is an excellent source of local advice, an exceptional advocate and easy to talk to.”
“He provides both pragmatic and extremely comprehensive legal advice. He is a highly effective advocate with a very client-focused approach.” “He carries a lot of respect; when he speaks everybody listens and his reputation goes before him. He is very effective at thinking on his feet. Because of his experience and knowledge he is a force to be reckoned with.”
Legal 500 2017
‘A clear and strategic advocate.’
‘Very knowledgeable and easy to work with.’
Chambers UK 2016
“He is absolutely excellent to work with. He delivers the goods.” “He is top-draw, one of the best.”
“A very forensic advocate.” “He won’t have anything of cutting corners. He knows what will happen under cross-examination.”
Chambers UK 2015
“He’s thorough, and gets to the point, and doesn’t always just tell you what you want to hear. He explains the law accurately and in an understandable way. He’s very personable, so it is always a good experience working with him.” “He is a very strong advocate. He’s confident and excellent at cross-examination. He gets to the bottom of every case and knows the detail.”
“He’s incredibly intellectual but very approachable as well – he gives very commercial advice, he’s quick to respond and he’s a brilliant advocate. Very client-friendly.” “He’s the king of inquiries.”
Legal 500 2015
“Approachable and easy to work with”
“He has a great presence in the inquiry forum, both as an advocate and as an inspector”
