Planning, Highways and Environment

Our experts have years of experience in representing all parties in the development process. The team work on every aspect of planning and highways law, from tackling issues with development to negotiating agreements for works to be carried out. Our team has been recognised by Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500 for its expertise.

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Meet the team

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Expertise in planning, highways and environment

We advise on every aspect of planning and highways law, from negotiating planning or highways works agreements and guidance over the threat of compulsory purchase to providing help tackling legal issues that may be preventing development. Where necessary, we’ll also challenge unlawful planning decisions in court or assist you to defend against enforcement action.

We’ll work with you to get a full idea of your end goals from the start. That way, we’ll spot any issues that could affect future development of your land and deal with them quickly and efficiently.

Our expertise also covers biodiversity net gain – creating and improving natural habitats – and harnessing naturally-occurring phosphate in order to assist in plant growth.

Helping with planning, highways and environment

Our specialist team works with commercial and residential developers, landowners, investors, social housing bodies, banks and other lenders, charities, private clients, local residents’ groups, local planning authorities and other public sector organisations on a range of development schemes.

  • Planning strategy advice, including legal support with planning applications and appeals, interpreting permitted development rights and Community Infrastructure Levy liability
  • Interpretation of planning permissions and conditions, and advice on safeguarding planning consents
  • Drafting and negotiating section 106 agreements and unilateral undertakings
  • Bringing and defending legal claims including judicial reviews and statutory challenges
  • Planning enforcement issues and Certificates of Lawfulness
  • Promoting or objecting to Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), Development Consent Orders and Transport and Works Act Orders
  • Advising on CPO compensation rights and maximising compensation including applications for certificates of appropriate alternative development, blight notices and references to the Upper Tribunal
  • Advice on heritage issues, including in relation to listed buildings, conservation areas, and scheduled ancient monuments.

  • Advising on highways issues including creation, diversion, extinguishment and enforcement
  • Advising on existing or claimed town and village greens, commons, and assets of community value
  • Strategic advice on preventing the creation of public access rights
  • Drafting and negotiating highways and public infrastructure agreements and licences.

Working with our Insurance, Risk and Regulatory team we provide:

  • Advice on statutory nuisance issues, including appealing abatement notices
  • Advice relating to nature conservation, including ecological designations, the habitats directive, tree protection and environmental impact assessments
  • Advising on issues of water pollution, land drainage, environmental permitting and contaminated land, including alleged breaches
  • Advising on the waste regulations, including acting for operators in relation to alleged waste offences
  • Acting for clients in bringing and defending legal claims, including interviews under caution.

We also work with a range of developers, landowners, banks and local groups on a range of development schemes.

Services from our Real Estate team

Recognition of our work

Investors in People

Investors in People

Legal 500 2025 – Firm to Watch

Legal 500 2025 – Firm to Watch
Legal 500 2025 – Leading Firm

Legal 500 2025 – Leading Firm
Times Best Law Firm

Times Best Law Firm

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Hear what our clients say about us

The Legal 500 2025 said “The firm-wide planning, highways and environment practice at HCR Law is frequently involved in large-scale development projects, including residential and mixed-use sustainable urban expansions, acting for national and regional developers.” and that they were “‘professional, knowledgeable and caring”.

The Legal 500 2025 Planning

His responses to communications was always swift, intelligent and highlighted his experience in this field.

Mr and Mrs Smith Path Diversion Order

The planning team at HCR were exceptional on a recent complicated matter where time was of the essence.

Outputs are always delivered on time to meet our needs, with staff going over and beyond at times to help achieve a given goal.

Legal 500 2024 – Planning, Highways and Environment

We just wanted to thank you for your excellent professional services in obtaining this result; without you we would not have achieved this positive outcome and we are very grateful. We will make sure we recommend you to everyone.

Restrictive obligations removed thanks to Planning, Highways and Environment Partner’s expertise

We enjoyed working with Brendon and with his extensive knowledge he was able to achieve a positive outcome for us. He’s always very contactable and an efficient communicator. We would be happy to use his services again.

Client Testimonial TPO Dispute

I would like to say a huge thank you for dealing with this issue for us. The reality on our side is that we were pretty stressed and worried about the situation when it first arrived. With your assistance you’ve taken away all that stress and made this a simple process.

Planning expertise rescued clients’ land purchase

Good to work with you and the team at HCR again. They have been invaluable over the years; thank you very much.

Protecting the purchaser of a listed property

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