Year of call: 1982
John Barrett is a highly regarded senior junior planning law specialist, who acts for developers and local authorities on high value schemes. He is equally adept acting on housing appeals, renewable schemes, extra care living (Class C2), retail or logistics schemes. He also has vast experience of CPO (including compensation) both at inquiry and in the Upper Tribunal.
Recent Planning Appeals
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an Energy from Waste (EFW) Facility (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Gladman Developments Ltd for 85 dwellings in Blean Common, Canterbury (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Marden Homes Ltd for 130 homes in Tiptree, Colchester (2022).
Represented Stockport MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floorspace (2022).
Represented Anwyl Homes in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of 233 homes in Widnes, Halton (2022).
Represented Solihull MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an extra care facility (Class C2) in Knowle, Solihull (2022).
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of a high temperature thermal treatment facility (2022).
Represented Watkins Jones Group at a 2 day hearing regarding the proposed development of PBSA (Student accommodation) in Fallowfield, Manchester City Centre (2022).
Represented St Helens Council (the Developer) in a call in inquiry for development of large scale logistics scheme (2021).
Represented Memoria Ltd as a rule 6 at a public inquiry, successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a crematorium in Doncaster (2021).
Represented Setantii Ltd at a 4 week conjoined inquiry regarding the proposed development of 80 homes in Goosnargh, Preston (2021).
Represnted ASDA as a rule 6 at a 2 day inquiry successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a LIDL store (2021)
Recent Court Work
[2023] EWHC 1394 (Admin) – Durham County Council & Hartlepool Borough Council -v- SOS & Others (John acted for Durham CC).
[2022] UKUT 28 (LC) – Garner & Garner v Stcokport MBC (John acted for Stockport MBC).
Local Plan Examinations
Represented developer at Places for Everyone Examination (2023)
Represented the Council at the Calderdale Local Plan (2022)
John is a highly regarded senior junior planning law specialist, who acts for developers and local authorities on high value schemes. He is equally adept acting on housing appeals, renewable schemes, extra care living (Class C2), retail or logistics schemes. He also has vast experience of CPO (including compensation) both at inquiry and in the Upper Tribunal.
Recent Planning Appeals
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an Energy from Waste (EFW) Facility (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Gladman Developments Ltd for 85 dwellings in Blean Common, Canterbury (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Marden Homes Ltd for 130 homes in Tiptree, Colchester (2022).
Represented Stockport MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floorspace (2022).
Represented Anwyl Homes in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of 233 homes in Widnes, Halton (2022).
Represented Solihull MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an extra care facility (Class C2) in Knowle, Solihull (2022).
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of a high temperature thermal treatment facility (2022).
Represented Watkins Jones Group at a 2 day hearing regarding the proposed development of PBSA (Student accommodation) in Fallowfield, Manchester City Centre (2022).
Represented St Helens Council (the Developer) in a call in inquiry for development of large scale logistics scheme (2021).
Represented Memoria Ltd as a rule 6 at a public inquiry, successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a crematorium in Doncaster (2021).
Represented Setantii Ltd at a 4 week conjoined inquiry regarding the proposed development of 80 homes in Goosnargh, Preston (2021).
Represnted ASDA as a rule 6 at a 2 day inquiry successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a LIDL store (2021)
Recent Court Work
[2023] EWHC 1394 (Admin) – Durham County Council & Hartlepool Borough Council -v- SOS & Others (John acted for Durham CC).
[2022] UKUT 28 (LC) – Garner & Garner v Stcokport MBC (John acted for Stockport MBC).
Local Plan Examinations
Represented developer at Places for Everyone Examination (2023)
Represented the Council at the Calderdale Local Plan (2022)
John is a highly regarded senior junior planning law specialist, who acts for developers and local authorities on high value schemes. He is equally adept acting on housing appeals, renewable schemes, extra care living (Class C2), retail or logistics schemes. He also has vast experience of CPO (including compensation) both at inquiry and in the Upper Tribunal.
Recent Planning Appeals
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an Energy from Waste (EFW) Facility (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Gladman Developments Ltd for 85 dwellings in Blean Common, Canterbury (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Marden Homes Ltd for 130 homes in Tiptree, Colchester (2022).
Represented Stockport MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floorspace (2022).
Represented Anwyl Homes in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of 233 homes in Widnes, Halton (2022).
Represented Solihull MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an extra care facility (Class C2) in Knowle, Solihull (2022).
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of a high temperature thermal treatment facility (2022).
Represented Watkins Jones Group at a 2 day hearing regarding the proposed development of PBSA (Student accommodation) in Fallowfield, Manchester City Centre (2022).
Represented St Helens Council (the Developer) in a call in inquiry for development of large scale logistics scheme (2021).
Represented Memoria Ltd as a rule 6 at a public inquiry, successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a crematorium in Doncaster (2021).
Represented Setantii Ltd at a 4 week conjoined inquiry regarding the proposed development of 80 homes in Goosnargh, Preston (2021).
Represnted ASDA as a rule 6 at a 2 day inquiry successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a LIDL store (2021)
Recent Court Work
[2023] EWHC 1394 (Admin) – Durham County Council & Hartlepool Borough Council -v- SOS & Others (John acted for Durham CC).
[2022] UKUT 28 (LC) – Garner & Garner v Stcokport MBC (John acted for Stockport MBC).
Local Plan Examinations
Represented developer at Places for Everyone Examination (2023)
Represented the Council at the Calderdale Local Plan (2022)
John is a highly regarded senior junior planning law specialist, who acts for developers and local authorities on high value schemes. He is equally adept acting on housing appeals, renewable schemes, extra care living (Class C2), retail or logistics schemes. He also has vast experience of CPO (including compensation) both at inquiry and in the Upper Tribunal.
Recent Planning Appeals
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an Energy from Waste (EFW) Facility (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Gladman Developments Ltd for 85 dwellings in Blean Common, Canterbury (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Marden Homes Ltd for 130 homes in Tiptree, Colchester (2022).
Represented Stockport MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floorspace (2022).
Represented Anwyl Homes in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of 233 homes in Widnes, Halton (2022).
Represented Solihull MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an extra care facility (Class C2) in Knowle, Solihull (2022).
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of a high temperature thermal treatment facility (2022).
Represented Watkins Jones Group at a 2 day hearing regarding the proposed development of PBSA (Student accommodation) in Fallowfield, Manchester City Centre (2022).
Represented St Helens Council (the Developer) in a call in inquiry for development of large scale logistics scheme (2021).
Represented Memoria Ltd as a rule 6 at a public inquiry, successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a crematorium in Doncaster (2021).
Represented Setantii Ltd at a 4 week conjoined inquiry regarding the proposed development of 80 homes in Goosnargh, Preston (2021).
Represnted ASDA as a rule 6 at a 2 day inquiry successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a LIDL store (2021)
Recent Court Work
[2023] EWHC 1394 (Admin) – Durham County Council & Hartlepool Borough Council -v- SOS & Others (John acted for Durham CC).
[2022] UKUT 28 (LC) – Garner & Garner v Stcokport MBC (John acted for Stockport MBC).
Local Plan Examinations
Represented developer at Places for Everyone Examination (2023)
Represented the Council at the Calderdale Local Plan (2022)
John is a highly regarded senior junior planning law specialist, who acts for developers and local authorities on high value schemes. He is equally adept acting on housing appeals, renewable schemes, extra care living (Class C2), retail or logistics schemes. He also has vast experience of CPO (including compensation) both at inquiry and in the Upper Tribunal.
Recent Planning Appeals
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an Energy from Waste (EFW) Facility (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Gladman Developments Ltd for 85 dwellings in Blean Common, Canterbury (2023).
Successfully secured permission for Marden Homes Ltd for 130 homes in Tiptree, Colchester (2022).
Represented Stockport MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of commercial/industrial development providing up to 53,327 sqm of B2/B8 employment floorspace (2022).
Represented Anwyl Homes in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of 233 homes in Widnes, Halton (2022).
Represented Solihull MBC in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of an extra care facility (Class C2) in Knowle, Solihull (2022).
Represented Durham Council at call in public inquiry regarding the proposed development of a high temperature thermal treatment facility (2022).
Represented Watkins Jones Group at a 2 day hearing regarding the proposed development of PBSA (Student accommodation) in Fallowfield, Manchester City Centre (2022).
Represented St Helens Council (the Developer) in a call in inquiry for development of large scale logistics scheme (2021).
Represented Memoria Ltd as a rule 6 at a public inquiry, successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a crematorium in Doncaster (2021).
Represented Setantii Ltd at a 4 week conjoined inquiry regarding the proposed development of 80 homes in Goosnargh, Preston (2021).
Represnted ASDA as a rule 6 at a 2 day inquiry successfully opposing an appeal against refusal for permission for a LIDL store (2021)
Recent Court Work
[2023] EWHC 1394 (Admin) – Durham County Council & Hartlepool Borough Council -v- SOS & Others (John acted for Durham CC).
[2022] UKUT 28 (LC) – Garner & Garner v Stcokport MBC (John acted for Stockport MBC).
Local Plan Examinations
Represented developer at Places for Everyone Examination (2023)
Represented the Council at the Calderdale Local Plan (2022)
Chambers UK 2025
“He is very clear in describing difficult technical aspects in a way that allows clients to understand the complexity of the matter.”
“John Barrett’s technical skill and knowledge is first class.”
Legal 500 2025
‘John is very thorough and particularly good at preparing witnesses who are inexperienced. He provides good advice on tactics on how to deal with certain points and his cross-examination is well delivered.’
Chambers UK 2024
“John Barrett is a very pragmatic, sensible and persuasive advocate.”
“John Barrett is extremely impressive. He has the enviable talent of making challenging intellectual concepts easily understood and providing effective, workable solutions.”
Legal 500 2024
‘John is a direct and succinct advocate, who is able to bring the argument back round to the primary case without any drama.’
Chambers UK 2023
“John is an excellent tactician and is responsive and helpful. He thinks of the bigger picture.”
‘John has great strength is distilling complex issues into advice that is crystal clear. He is the go-to person for environmental, ecological and air quality-type issues.’
Legal 500 2023
Chambers UK 2022
“He is very experienced and very capable, and his experience cuts across not just planning and environmental law but environment offending too.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He gives excellent advice on all fronts. He is good for strategy at an early stage as well as all the hard graft.” “A very learned man with amazing skills. He will tell you how it is.”
“He is always hyper-prepared with a good knowledge of the minutiae.” “He is a top performer.”
Legal 500 2021
“John knows his planning law inside out a go-to barrister.”
Legal 500 2020
Always sees the bigger picture of a case.
Chambers UK 2020
“He is very calm under pressure and responds to any challenge before him.”
“A leading junior who does heavyweight housing work.” “Very impressive written advice.” “He has a calm head under pressure.”
Chambers UK 2019
“He’s one of the brightest barristers I’ve ever met.”
“A very skilled advocate in cross-examination. He’s exceptionally responsive and he gives very clear advice.” “Very sharp.”
Legal 500 2019
“Noted for his expertise in mineral planning law.”
Chambers UK 2018
“He’s extremely client-friendly and is always willing to work as part of the team.”
“Very good at ensuring everything is properly detailed and prepared so you have a strong case to run.” “He has a full understanding of every case and a strategy moving forward.”
Legal 500 2018:
“Known for representing developers and housebuilders.”
Chambers UK 2017
“He has an excellent rapport with clients and is very empathetic.” “He is a solid performer.”
“He is phenomenally knowledgeable, extremely personable and easy to work with. He is firm but fair and is very clever at addressing weak points in the case.” “He is exceptional.”
Legal 500 2017:
“A real professional.”
Chambers UK 2016
“An excellent practitioner.”
“Excellent: he is very experienced in all areas of planning and environmental law and fights hard for his clients, offering a highly skilled service.”
