Partners
Elizabeth Christie
Partner elizabeth.christie@townlegal.com 07931 870 569 | 0203 893 0380Elizabeth spent nine years at Herbert Smith Freehills before becoming one of Town’s founding partners.
She has a wide-ranging planning practice, including advising on tall buildings, build to rent, heritage issues, and major regeneration schemes.
Experience:
22 Bishopsgate Limited Partnership
22 Bishopsgate
SH Reading Master LLP
Station Hill, Reading
Lendlease and London & Continental Railways
International Quarter, Stratford City
British Land
Broadgate Estate
Imperial College
140 Wales Farm Road, North Acton
Francis Crick Institute
Francis Crick Institute
Danescroft
Clock House and Access House, Bromley-by-Bow
Brockton Capital
Post Building, Camden
Labtech
Hawley Wharf, Camden Lock Market, Stables Market, Buck Street Market
Mary Cook
Partner mary.cook@townlegal.com 07909 964 015 | 0203 893 0381Mary is a leading planning barrister and a regular panel member of the Have We Got Planning News For You show. Prior to Town she was a member of Cornerstone Barristers where she served as Joint Head of Chambers. She is one of Town’s founding partners.
Experience:
Development Schemes & Strategic Land Advice
Mary regularly offers early strategic advice on the promotion of regeneration schemes, considering the prospects of changing policy contexts, testing the robustness of the planning strategy and ultimately shaping the planning application and considering the need for and adequacy of EIA screening and/or scoping opinions. She has considerable experience in schemes involving Green Belt issues, flood risk issues, protected species and their environments, daylight and sunlight assessments, complex transport assessment issues as well as statutory and locally listed buildings and conservation areas. She regularly works in conjunction with colleagues at Town.
Local Plan Examinations & Neighbourhood Plans
Mary is currently appearing at examinations promoting a new garden village in York and advising on viability issues relating to the Cranbrook Local plan in Devon; the redevelopment of previously developed land in the AONB and Green Belt in Kent; allocations for a commercial warehouse and a Rail Freight Terminal in the Green Belt in Central Bedfordshire; and urban extensions in Leicestershire and the Black Country and working to secure numerous housing allocations.
Mary has particular experience in Retirement and Care Homes
Acting and advising Churchill Retirement Living, Inspired Villages Group, Elysian Residences and Carebase.
Schools, Colleges & PBSA
Advising various establishments on their development plans and related planning applications involving listed buildings, conservation areas and MOL in Camden and Haringey and in the Green Belt.
Hotels
Currently advising on three hotel projects in London at various stages in the development pipeline and a significant commercial leisure scheme.
Commercial
Currently advising B2/B8 operators in the Green Belt on expansion prospects and B8 shed scheme on M1 and owners of former airfields transforming them into a mixed-use scheme.
Residences
Mary is advising on a number of appeals for housebuilders, land promoters and landowners in Dorset, South Somerset and Guildford.
Duncan Field
Partner duncan.field@townlegal.com 07778 487817 | 020 3893 0409Duncan advises on major infrastructure projects and regeneration schemes around the UK. He was previously head of planning law at Norton Rose Fulbright and was also a specialist planning partner at Wragge & Co and SJ Berwin. Duncan led the team that won the Real Estate Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards in 2016 and Planning Law Firm of the Year at the UK Planning Awards in 2017.
Experience:
London City Airport
Advising on the development of the airport over the past 20 years including its latest infrastructure project known as the City Airport Development Programme and the associated planning permission and compulsory purchase orders.
The Crown Estate
Advising on its regeneration programme for Regent Street and St James’s in Central London over the past 20 years involving the development of landmark buildings for a mix of uses including retail, offices, hotels, residential and extensive public realm improvements.
Hinduja Group and OHL Desarrollos
Acting for the Hinduja/OHL joint venture in relation to the redevelopment of the Old War Office in Whitehall, Central London as a luxury hotel with apartments.
Olympus Property Holding Limited
Advising on the proposed refurbishment and regeneration of the Olympia Exhibition Centre to deliver improved exhibition and conferencing facilities, offices, hotel accommodation, retail, leisure and new cultural uses.
DP World London Gateway
Advising London Gateway Port in relation to the implementation of the Harbour Empowerment Order for its deep-sea container terminal and planning permission for the adjacent logistics park, including use of compulsory purchase powers for the widening of the A13.
PD Ports
Advising on the 1.5 million TEUs Northern Gateway Container Terminal at Teesport.
London Legacy Development Corporation
Advising on the post-Games transformation of the Olympic Stadium.
Clare Fielding
Managing Partner clare.fielding@townlegal.com 07809 200 214 | 0203 893 0382Clare is particularly known for substantial London projects. She regularly advises on complex planning strategy, viability issues, Community Infrastructure Levy, JR risk, and on property-related corporate transactions. Her style is collaborative, problem-solving and people-centred. She is closely involved in the leadership and management of Town and regularly speaks on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Legal 500 2021 said: “Clare is very pragmatic, and her work is a very good example of the public and private sector working together. She’s very good on strategy.”
Experience:
Battersea Power Station Development Company
Redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, LB Wandsworth
Sellar
Shard Place and Canada Water regeneration, LB Southwark
Derwent London
White Collar Factory, LB Islington
St James
White City Living and Centre House, White City, LB Hammersmith and Fulham
Greenwich Hospital
Redevelopment of Greenwich Market, RB Greenwich
Minerva plc
St Botolphs and the Minerva Building (Canon Street), City of London
Stanhope/Schroders JV
Croydon Gateway CPO inquiry, LB Croydon
Arsenal Football Club
Emirates Stadium and associated regeneration, LB Islington
Michael Gallimore
Partner michael.gallimore@townlegal.com 0203 893 0416 | 07836 268 731Mike was head of planning at Hogan Lovells before joining Town Legal. He is widely recognised as a leading planning lawyer developing his reputation through a number of high profile projects. Mike has over 30 years’ experience spanning regeneration and mixed use schemes, new housing settlements, office, retail and leisure projects as well as new infrastructure. Legal 500 has described him as “an industry expert” who “takes the time to understand his clients’ requirements”.
Experience:
Argent (King’s Cross) Limited
The redevelopment of King’s Cross Central
Argent Related
Brent Cross Town
Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar
The redevelopment of the Shell Centre on the South Bank
St George
1 Blackfriars, Grand Union Alperton and Royal Exchange Kingston
Joseph Homes
The Albion Waterside development in Gravesend
Pocket Living
Various London projects
Groveworld
Redevelopment of the former Royal Nose, Throat and Ear Hospital on Gray’s Inn Road
Helioslough Limited
Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange
London Legacy Development Corporation
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Mayfield Market Towns Limited
Mayfields new settlement
U+I
The redevelopment of 8 Albert Embankment
Raj Gupta
Partner raj.gupta@townlegal.com 07920 702459 | 020 3893 0400Raj specialises in all aspects of compulsory purchase law and is particularly well-known for his expertise in contested land compensation proceedings and in infrastructure planning. Before joining Town, Raj led Pinsent Masons’ compulsory purchase team for three years having previously spent ten years at Eversheds. Raj is an elected member of the national committee of the Compulsory Purchase Association and is ranked in Chambers Directory.
Experience:
Claims against HS2
Acting on a number of high value claims Including for Freightliner, IM Group, Canfield, Curzon Park, Booker Group and Grinsaem including in relation to certificates of appropriate alternative development.
Car Giant
Assisting Car Giant in successfully objecting to the OPDC’s proposals to develop its land.
East West Rail
Acting for a number of landowners in objecting to Network Rail’s proposals and negotiating agreements to protect their interests.
Compulsory Purchase Orders
Acting for a number of developers and acquiring authorities in promoting CPOs, including negotiation of site assembly agreements and securing confirmation following inquiry.
London Development Agency/Greater London Authority
Promoting the Olympics CPO and acting on compensation claims arising from it.
Transport for London
Advising on securing and implementing powers for various projects including the East London Line Extension and the Silvertown Tunnel and on landmark compensation claims including Spirerose and Urban Edge.
Meeta Kaur
Partner meeta.kaur@townlegal.com 07894 172 547 | 0203 893 0383Meeta is a UK qualified lawyer and chartered town planner. She specialises in large scale mixed-use redevelopment and regeneration schemes, including urban extensions, both in London and across the country. She advises on all aspects of planning and associated areas, including highways, compulsory purchase, CIL, heritage, affordable housing and scheme viability, on both the contentious and non-contentious side. Before Town, Meeta spent 12 years at King & Wood Mallesons (previously SJ Berwin) and before that was a planning officer at Westminster City Council.
Meeta is vice chair of the board of trustees of the Royal Town Planning Institute, a non-executive Director of Public Practice and an advisory board member for Women in Planning.
Experience:
St William Homes
Mixed use residential-led redevelopment of Fulham, Poplar, Bow Common and Marian Place Gasworks.
Chinese Estates
Mixed use commercial development of 120 Fleet Street including the Grade II* listed former Daily Express Building.
British Land
Clarges Estate in Mayfair, Putney High Street in Putney, Blossom Street in Shoreditch, Eden Walk in Kingston and the Leisure Hall extension to Meadowhall Shopping Centre.
Far East Consortium
Redevelopment of listed Hornsey Town Hall, Haringey.
Meyer Bergman
Retail-led redevelopment of Vinopolis.
Berkeley (East Thames)
Kidbrooke Village estate regeneration.
Northants
Wellingborough North urban extension.
Hanwood Park
Kettering East urban extension.
Simon Ricketts
Partner simon.ricketts@townlegal.com 07711 924 945 | 0203 893 0384Simon specialises in planning, compulsory purchase and related public law issues in relation to major mixed-use development schemes across England. Before co-founding Town, he was head of planning and environmental law first at SJ Berwin and then King & Wood Mallesons. He has been ranked as the country’s most highly rated planning solicitor for the last eleven years running in Planning magazine’s annual survey. He is author of the Simonicity planning law blog.
Experience:
British Land
Blossom Street, Shoreditch.
Lands Improvement Holdings
Houghton Regis urban extension.
Stansted Airport
Increase in passenger numbers.
Fawley Waterside
Former Fawley power station site development, Hampshire.
Richborough Estates
Suffolk Coastal Supreme Court proceedings.
The Collective
Old Oak co-living.
Mount Anvil
Whitechapel Central.
Capital and Regional
Walthamstow town centre.
London Eye
London Eye retention.
Patrick Robinson
Partner patrick.robinson@townlegal.com 07785 254 981 | 0203 893 0385Patrick spent thirty-eight years at Herbert Smith Freehills before becoming one of Town’s founding partners. He operates across all areas of contentious and non-contentious planning work, bringing to the subject the broader experience of a development real estate lawyer’s background.
Experience:
22 Bishopsgate Limited Partnership
22 Bishopsgate.
HB Reavis
Elizabeth House, Waterloo.
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Brompton Hospital.
Hines
18 Blackfriars Road.
British Land
Broadgate.
Stanhope
Royal Street.
Trustees of the Tate Gallery
Tate Modern.
Stansted Airport
Increase in passenger numbers.
Louise Samuel
Partner louise.samuel@townlegal.com 07920 041941 | 020 3893 0414Louise joined Town in October 2019 after 16 years in the planning team at Linklaters. She has a wide range of experience across the UK, including securing consent for town extensions and energy/ infrastructure projects, but Louise particularly enjoys advising on complex development within central London. She has acted on a number of London’s iconic tall buildings (including One Undershaft, 40 Leadenhall, 122 Leadenhall and 20 Fenchurch Street) and major City HQs (including for Bloomberg, UBS and Goldman Sachs).
Experience:
BentallGreenOak
Bury House, City of London; and 105 Victoria Street (Southside), Westminster.
CIT Group
Finsbury Tower (HYLO), Islington; Vinegar Yard, Southwark; and Colechurch House, Southwark.
Delta Properties
Finchley Road (Camden); and The Rookery at the Hyde (Barnet).
Galliard plc (and JV, Starbones Limited)
Chiswick Curve, Hounslow; Holly House, Hounslow; and Leegate Shopping Centre, Lewisham.
Great Portland Estates plc
New City Court and Minerva House, Southwark; French Railways House, Hanover Square and Rathbone Place, Westminster; and 50 Finsbury Square, Islington.
Native Land
Bankside Yards and Neo Bankside, Southwark; Regent House, Kilmuir House and New Burlington Gate, Westminster; and St Mary’s Wharf, Guildford.
Sydell Holdings
The Ned, City of London; and Nomad London (formerly Bow Street Magistrates Court), Westminster.
The Ritz Hotel (London) London
The Ritz, Westminster
Consultants
Martin Dawbney
Consultant martin.dawbney@townlegal.com 07785 775044 | 020 3893 0399Martin is a consultant specialising in business rates law, having spent over 30 years at Herbert Smith (latterly Herbert Smith Freehills) as a property lawyer with an ancillary rating practice. His work ranges from day-to-day advice on rates mitigation schemes and liability disputes to running complex cases before the Valuation Tribunal for England (VTE) and the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). He has particular expertise in the issues arising from the Supreme Court decision in Woolway v Mazars and subsequent legislation.
Experience:
Euro Tunnel
Advice relating to the establishment of a rateable value for the (UK section of the) Channel Tunnel.
Harrods and Selfridges
Acting on tribunal cases in respect of the 2000 and 2005 lists.
A media client
Advising on a proposed judicial review and ultimate settlement in the light of retrospective liability imposed under the 2010 list in the light of the Mazars decision. This included acting for a major international law firm on a similar issue, which was also settled.
Native Land
Advising on the use of a Guardian arrangement to mitigate rates liability in respect of a commercial building awaiting demolition and redevelopment, including acting on the case before the VTE. The case was ultimately decided in favour of the ratepayer by the Upper Tribunal.
A major developer
Advising on the relationship between business rates and the Community Infrastructure Levy, in particular assisting in maximising the CIL exemption in respect of in-use buildings.
Olympic Legacy
Acting in a case before the Upper Tribunal concerning the rateable value of the Velodrome in the 2010 list.
Steve Quartermain CBE
Consultant steve.quartermain@townlegal.comSteve joined Town in June 2020 having stepped down as the Government’s Chief Planner, a post he held since 2008. Steve has over 40 years of practical and policy experience having previously held senior roles in Local Government, the last 12 years of which saw him run all front line services including an economic development function. The council was adjudged an excellent council and the planning services awarded Beacon Council status.
As Chief Planner Steve has been at the heart of the Government’s planning reform agenda, most notably the NPPF and planning practice guidance reviews; he managed the casework function and was responsible for the design brief.
Steve was made a Commander of the British Empire in 2015 for services to planning infrastructure.
Steve brings the breadth of his practical and strategic experience on planning and related matters to Town.
Senior Associates
Paul Arnett
Senior Associate paul.arnett@townlegal.com 020 3893 0407Paul worked in Government at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the Department for Transport before joining Town. Paul advised on all aspects of planning and infrastructure law with strong expertise in compulsory purchase. He advised on the CPO reforms in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017, and revisions to the national Compulsory Purchase Guidance.
Experience:
Brent Cross CPO
Advising on the confirmation of two CPOs to facilitate the delivery of the major Brent Cross Cricklewood mixed- use regeneration scheme.
Seven Sisters CPO
Advising on the confirmation of the high profile CPO to deliver the Wards Corner Regeneration Project.
NPPF 2
Advising on various chapters in the revised and updated National Planning Policy Framework.
Ox-Cam Corridor
Advising on the planning and CPO aspects of the Government’s response to the National Infrastructure Commission’s Ox-Cam corridor report.
Letwin Review
Advising on the independent review of build out considering how to close the gap between housing completions and the amount of land allocated or permissioned.
EIA and Habitats
Preparing the 2018 EIA Regulations and advising on the implications of the CJEUs People Over Wind judgment on appropriate assessments in Art 6 of the Habitats Directive.
Amy Fender
Senior Associate amy.fender@townlegal.com 0203 893 0394Since qualifying in 2016, Amy has acted for a variety of clients, including local councils, developers and funders in respect of contentious and non-contentious work. Her experience includes legal analysis of planning applications, drafting and negotiating planning and highways agreements for large scale mixed-use developments, compulsory purchase advice and judicial review claims.
Experience:
Battersea Power Station Development Company
Providing general planning advice and assisting with the drafting of the planning and highways agreements concerning the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station.
North Warfield Consortium
Providing general planning advice and assisting with the drafting of a planning agreement in respect of an application for a large mixed-use scheme in Bracknell.
Quintain
Provided the planning due diligence on a 4,000 dwelling revised masterplan for Wembley Park.
Quantum Group
Advising on the appeal in respect of a mixed-use scheme in LB Richmond-upon-Thames.
Dover District Council
A CPO compensation claim in respect of a compulsory purchase order enabling the regeneration of the centre of Dover.
Sainsburys
Assisting with various planning matters advising Sainsbury’s, specifically drafting and negotiating highways agreements relating to development of their stores.
London Mutual Insurance Society
Providing advice and legal analysis of a planning application for an office and residential redevelopment in London.
Grafton Group PLC
Successfully opposing the CPO for its site at Orchard Wharf, east London.
Threadneedle UK Property Authorised Investment Fund
Provided the legal due diligence on the planning aspects of several purchases.
Victoria McKeegan
Senior Associate victoria.mckeegan@townlegal.com 020 3893 0410Victoria trained and qualified at Slaughter and May and then worked with Duncan Field in the Planning Team at Norton Rose Fulbright prior to joining Town. She has advised on a number of development projects and infrastructure schemes and on a variety of planning matters. Her experience includes advising on planning applications, enforcement and heritage matters, drafting and negotiating planning and highways agreements, and advising on the planning aspects of real estate, corporate and financing transactions.
Experience:
The Crown Estate
Advising on the development of St James’s Market Phase 2 to the south of Piccadilly Circus comprising offices, new retail and dining space, with additional new public realm as well as the related development of affordable housing units at 33 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London.
Olympus Property Holding Limited
Advising on the £1 billion redevelopment and refurbishment of the London Olympia Exhibition Centre which will deliver improved exhibition and conferencing facilities, offices, hotel accommodation, retail, leisure, entertainment and new cultural uses.
Blue Orchid (St James) Limited
Advising on the conversion of the Grade I listed Broadway Complex at St James’s Park Station (the former TfL headquarters) into a high-quality hotel development with ancillary uses.
St William Homes LLP (part of Berkeley Group)
Advising on the proposed residential-led development for up to 1,450 homes, a new sixth-form centre and flexible commercial uses at the former Bow Common Gasworks in Tower Hamlets.
Telford Homes
Advising on the proposed development of a site on International Way, Stratford, for two towers of 27 storeys comprising 380 residential units, alongside office and commercial space.
In 2020, Victoria had an article published in Planning magazine, was a panellist on a joint Town/Landmark Chambers webinar regarding permitted development rights and published a podcast for The Planning Brief (a joint Town Legal /Landmark Chambers initiative).
Lucy Morton
Senior Associate lucy.morton@townlegal.com 020 3893 0401Lucy trained and qualified and worked as an associate at Herbert Smith Freehills before joining Town. She has experience of advising on many aspects of planning law, including planning applications and variations, section 106 agreements, planning appeals, community infrastructure levy, heritage, environmental impact assessment and highways.
Experience:
Battersea Power Station Development Company
Battersea Power Station redevelopment. London Borough of Wandsworth.
HB Reavis
Elizabeth House redevelopment near Waterloo Station, London Borough of Lambeth.
Guinness Developments Limited
Residential-led mixed-use scheme in London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
London Strategic Land
New residential-led masterplan, Thurrock.
PPHE Hotel Group (Park Plaza)
Hotel schemes including a successful appeal by inquiry.
Sellar
Several mixed-use developments including residential, retail and office uses in London Borough of Southwark.
Quinn Estates Ltd
Mixed-use development in Kent.
M7 Real Estate
Planning agreements for a major residential scheme in Solihull.
Juliet Munn
Senior Associate juliet.munn@townlegal.com 020 3893 0392Juliet is a Senior Associate at Town, having qualified at King & Wood Mallesons (formerly SJ Berwin) in 2011 and worked in the planning and environment teams in both London and Sydney. Juliet acts on both contentious and non-contentious matters for developers, landowners, interest groups and corporate bodies and advises on all aspects of planning and environmental law.
Experience:
Fawley Waterside
Advising on the proposed redevelopment for a new residential community, marina and related commercial development, of the former power station in the New Forest, Hampshire.
Oaktree Capital
Acting for the successful appellant in 6 day inquiry for an apart-hotel scheme in Whitechapel, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, covering a number of planning issues including sunlight and daylight and heritage issues.
Quantum Group
Acting for the appellant in an inquiry for a new extra care community with open space and sports facilities in the London Borough of Richmond upon-Thames, covering a number of planning issues including affordable housing, the public benefit of the provision of sports provisions and townscape.
Stansted Airport
Acting in relation to the proposed increase in passenger numbers at Stansted Airport from 35 to 43 million passengers per annum, including defending a judicial review brought by Stop Stansted Expansion.
Newcastle Harbour, New South Wales
Advising on dredging activities at Newcastle Harbour, Australia’s oldest port.
Judicial review
– R (on the application of HS2 Action Alliance Limited) v The Secretary of State for Transport & Another [2014] UKSC3.
– Ashdown Forest Economic Development LLP v Wealden District Council [2016] Env.L.R. 2.
– R (Luton Borough Council) v Central Bedfordshire Council & Other [2015] EWCA Civ 537.
Spencer Tewis-Allen
Senior Associate spencer.tewis-allen@townlegal.com 0203 893 0387Spencer advises on all aspects of planning law and has acted on schemes which are complex, high profile and often contentious with a strategic mind and focus on viability matters. Spencer also acts for both local authorities and developers so brings a dual perspective and appreciation to his advice.
Spencer has written the first comprehensive legal planning guide for Lexis Nexis on “Viability in Planning”. He has also written a chapter on Planning Law Due Diligence in “Risk and Negligence in Property Transactions” published by the Law Society with follow-up to this due for release in 2022 and has been published in Estates Gazette, Planning Magazine and the Planner. He also hosts a regular Clubhouse event with his colleague, Simon Ricketts, on all things planning.
Experience:
Spencer is fast becoming a go to specialist in large scale and complex developments (including the build to rent sector) across England acting for both developers and local authority clients, including:
Advising the owners of the Battersea Power Station on its £8 billion regeneration, one of the country’s most complex and high-profile development projects which is to include an extensive residential, office and retail offering as well as associated infrastructure such as a new tube station;
Acting for Capital and Regional on the development of The Mall, Walthamstow – a real place maker in Walthamstow, with permission granted in July 2018 and a new scheme secured in October 2021 to include two tall towers for build to rent;
Advising Arun District Council in relation to two new strategic settlements (one for up to 4300 homes and the other for up to 2500 homes, and the associated infrastructure for both). Legal matters include dealing with fragmented landownership issues to achieve equalisation of planning obligation costs across the site, drafting section 106 agreements and all other associated planning matters which may arise per application;
Advising Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on the new developments at Paddock Wood;
Advising Socius on build to rent development at Saxon Court, Milton Keynes which will include a 34-storey tower.
Advising Galliard on a number of key developments including Soho Loop, Birmingham, Former Honey Monster Factory (Ealing), Creekside, Deptford Wharf (Lewisham) and the Leegate Centre (Lewisham);
Acting for St William (Berkeley Group) on redevelopment of Fulham Gas Works and Marian Place, Bethnal Green; and
Advising Satnam Millennium on a recovered appeal for the development of 1500 residential units in Warrington which was allowed by the SoS in November 2021.
Chris Todman
Senior Associate chris.todman@townlegal.com 07733518838Chris worked in local government for eight years before joining Town, most recently for Westminster City Council / Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with earlier experience at two green belt authorities. Chris has experience of advising on many aspects of planning law, particularly drafting and negotiating planning and highways agreements; planning appeals; judicial reviews; planning committees; and general development management, policy and enforcement issues. He was ranked in joint first place in Planning magazine’s planning law survey 2021, in the local authority planning lawyer category.
Experience:
Newcombe House, Notting Hill Gate, London
100 West Cromwell Road, London
8 Albert Embankment, London
St James’s Market / 33 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London
Broadway Complex, London
William Sutton Estate, London
Former Wisley Airfield, near Guildford
Howard of Effingham, Effingham
R (Thurloe Lodge Limited) v RBKC [2020] EWHC 2381 (Admin)
Westminster City Council v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (and New World Payphones Ltd) [2019] EWHC 176 (Admin)
Associates
Charlie Austin
Associate charlie.austin@townlegal.com 07551426960Charlie trained at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, spending six months in each of the Real Estate Finance, Construction Disputes, Commercial Real Estate, and Planning & Environment teams there. He moved to Town on qualification. Charlie has experience advising on a wide variety of section 106 agreements and highways agreements. He has also provided planning due diligence support to large commercial real estate transactions, including reporting on the terms of complex section 106 agreements, and has run the planning disclosure process on the sale of an iconic central London commercial property. Charlie is able to advise on a range of planning matters including community infrastructure levy (CIL) liability, heritage matters, listed building consents and planning enforcement.
Cobi Bonani
Associate cobi.bonani@townlegal.com 07551426951Cobi trained at a green belt local authority where she completed a 12-month seat in planning law. Upon qualification, she moved to a local authority-owned alternative business structure gaining further legal experience in highway law.
Cobi has advised on various aspects of planning law including drafting and negotiating planning agreements, advising on planning enforcement; permitted development rights; lawful development certificates, the use classes system and planning committee. Cobi’s experience in highway law, includes advising on vehicular and pedestrian rights; enforcement action; closures, diversions and oppositions and drafting and negotiating highway agreements.
Cobi is the former Junior National Lead of Lawyers in Local Government (2021/2022) and currently sits as a Council Member of the Law Society representing junior lawyers 0 to 6 years PQE in England and Wales.
Amy Carter
Associate amy.carter@townlegal.com 020 3893 0432 | 07551 374980Amy trained at Dentons UK, Middle East and Ireland LLP and moved to Town shortly after qualification. She has experience advising a wide variety of clients, including local councils, housing associations and developers, in respect of contentious and non-contentious matters.
Her experience includes advising on complex mixed-use and infrastructure planning applications and variations, section 106 agreements and highways agreements. She also advises on permitted development rights, the use classes system, environmental impact assessments, judicial review and enforcement proceedings.
Experience:
Vanbrugh Court Residents’ Association v London Borough of Lambeth
Judicial review of planning permission granted for upwards extension.
Native Land
Bankside Yards, Southwark.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Paddock Wood development area.
Housing associations
Delivering planning training sessions to London based housing associations.
Susannah Herbert
Associate susannah.herbert@townlegal.com 0203 893 0395Susannah joined Town in 2017 having formerly been an Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills. She advises on all stages of the planning process including local plan examinations, planning applications, appeals, s106 and highways agreements, varying permissions, and certificates of lawfulness and on a wide range of issues such as compulsory purchase, heritage, EIA, highways and nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Experience:
22 Bishopsgate Limited Partnership
22 Bishopsgate development
Stansted Airport
Increase in passenger numbers
Greystar
Student accommodation, Capital House
St William Homes
Residential-led mixed use redevelopments of gasworks sites
Stanhope
Ruskin Square, Croydon
Fidelity
3-10 Finsbury Square appeal
LDA
Regeneration of Crystal Palace call-in
EDF Energy
Hinkley Point C
Jed Holloway
Associate jed.holloway@townlegal.com 020 3893 0418 | 07780 059392Jed trained at K&L Gates LLP and moved to Town on qualification. He has experience advising a variety of clients, including local councils and developers, in respect of contentious and non-contentious work. His experience includes advising on a broad range of complex mixed-use and infrastructure planning applications, section 106 agreements and highways agreements. He also advises on community infrastructure levy (CIL), use classes, environmental impact assessment, judicial review and statutory challenges to planning decisions.
Experience:
Fawley Waterside
Former Fawley power station site development, Hampshire.
Battersea Power Station Development Company
Battersea Power Station.
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Chelsea Farmer’s Market site.
Pocket Living
Residential developments across London.
Native Land
Regent House, Westminster.
LPA training sessions
Delivering planning training sessions to London borough council teams.
Safiyah Islam
Associate safiyah.islam@townlegal.com 020 3893 0393Safiyah trained and qualified at Town. She has experience of advising a range of clients on complex mixed-use planning applications, section 106 agreements, planning appeal proceedings, judicial reviews and statutory challenges, and compulsory purchase compensation claims. She also advises on environmental impact assessments, planning enforcement, community infrastructure levy (CIL) and the use classes system.
Experience:
Land Improvement Holdings
Houghton Regis, Central Bedfordshire
British Land
Eden Walk, Kingston
5 Kingdom Street, Paddington
West One Shopping Centre, Oxford Street
Berkeley Homes
Manor Lane, Maidenhead
Pella Real Estate Partners and Orion Capital Managers
Former BT Centre, City of London
Labtech
Stables Market and Hawley Wharf, Camden
Canary Wharf Group
Wood Wharf, Tower Hamlets
Argent
Kings Cross Central
Brent Cross Town
Fabrix
Former Blackfriars Crown Court, Southwark
Emma McDonald
Associate emma.mcdonald@townlegal.com 07733517860Emma trained at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP and moved to Town on qualification. She has experience advising a wide range of clients in respect of contentious and non-contentious work, including complex mixed-use planning applications, section 106 agreements, highways agreements and judicial review proceedings. She also advises on community infrastructure levy (CIL), the use classes system, environmental impact assessments and planning enforcement.
Experience:
Olympus Property Holding Limited
Regeneration of the London Olympia Exhibition Centre, Kensington
HB Reavis
Redevelopment of Elizabeth House, Waterloo
Capital & Regional Plc
Regeneration of The Mall, Walthamstow
Great Portland Estates
New City Court, Southwark
French Railways House, Piccadilly
George Morton Jack
Associate george.mortonjack@townlegal.com 020 3893 0408George has wide experience of planning and environmental law, advising both developers and local authorities. He has advised extensively on town and country planning matters – including section 106 agreements, environmental impact assessment, heritage agreements and judicial review – and on nationally significant infrastructure projects, from railways to offshore wind farms, nuclear power and electricity transmission projects. George has also advised on Parliamentary law and process, including Hybrid Bill procedure and petitions.
Experience:
Stansted Airport Limited
London Stansted Airport.
The West of England Councils
Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1).
Network Rail
Highways & level crossings.
ScottishPower Renewables
East Anglia THREE Offshore Wind Farm.
Sedgemoor District Council
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.
Nikita Sellers
Associate nikita.sellers@townlegal.com 020 3893 0412Nikita trained at Howard Kennedy LLP and moved to Town on qualification. She has experience advising a wide range of clients on complex mixed-use planning applications and variations, section 106 agreements, highways agreements, judicial review and planning appeal proceedings. She also advises on heritage matters, community infrastructure levy (CIL), the use classes system, environmental impact assessments, compulsory purchase and planning enforcement.
Experience:
HB Reavis
Mixed use office-led redevelopment of Elizabeth House, Waterloo.
St William Homes
Mixed use residential-led redevelopment of Poplar Gasworks.
PPHE Hotel Group (Park Plaza)
Successful appeal in respect of hotel scheme on Western Avenue.
Dominvs Group
Various, including a residential-led development in Enfield and a hotel scheme in Wandsworth.
U+I
Redevelopment of 8 Albert Embankment.
Starbones Limited (Galliard plc JV)
Mixed use redevelopment of Holly House, Hounslow.
VCI Property Holdings Limited
Call-in inquiry in respect of mixed use scheme, Vauxhall Cross.
Matt Speed
Associate matt.speed@townlegal.com 0203 893 0430 | 07867 596130Matt trained at Pinsent Masons LLP where he qualified as an Infrastructure Projects and Concessions solicitor. Matt gained experience advising large contractor clients in relation to highways and street lighting PFI projects, off-shore wind projects, transport projects and building developments.
After a year as a Projects solicitor, Matt moved to Town and has experience advising a variety of clients on complex mixed-use planning applications, section 106 agreements, compliance with planning conditions, planning appeal proceedings and judicial reviews. He also advises on planning enforcement, environmental impact assessments and CIL agreements.
Experience:
Montreaux
Negotiating section 106 agreement for large mixed-use development in the London Borough of Barnet.
St William Homes
Negotiating section 106 agreement, CIL agreement and deed of indemnity for a mixed-use development on an existing gasholder site in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
CIT
Negotiating deed of variation to section 106 agreement and section 278 agreement in relation to an office led development in the London Borough of Islington.
Galliard Homes
Section 106 agreements in relation to residential-led developments in Birmingham.
Paralegals
Business Services
James Wilson
Chair james.wilson@townlegal.com 07831 495241James acts as non-exec Chair, bringing to bear an external perspective gained from 8 years as the International Senior Partner at Ince & Co and his experience in supporting senior leaders in law firms as a founding member of Tyler Wilson since 2016 where he has provided one to one business coaching and bespoke advisory services. James is accredited as a business coach, having graduated from the Meyler Campbell Executive Business Coaching course, and as a commercial mediator.