Planning and Environment

What our planning team does

 

DMH Stallard’s unique multi-disciplinary team of planning lawyers, environmental lawyers and chartered town planners delivers one of the leading planning and environmental services in the South of England.

Our planning consultancy is one of the largest teams of chartered planning consultants within a law firm anywhere in England, and in its own right one of the main planning consultancies in the region.

Our team of specialist planning lawyers works alongside their consultancy colleagues or on a legal-only basis.  Both have earned a reputation for consistently delivering results on the most complex of matters.

"The firm's service level is excellent - everything that needs to be covered is covered."

Chambers & Partners UK 2024

Whether engaged individually or as part of a multi-disciplinary one-stop-shop approach, our team provide services across:

  • Planning consultancy: specialising in house building, waste and renewables, infrastructure, leisure, retail, education, heritage and listed buildings.

  • Planning law: advising on a range of issues including planning appeals and inquiries, applications and section 106 agreements, enforcement matters,  statutory challenges and judicial reviews.

  • Environmental law: advising on issues including contaminated land, crime and liability, environmental warranties and indemnities, insurance, climate change, carbon reduction and alternative energy.

  • Compulsory purchase: advising public and private sector clients on compulsory purchase and compensation issues.

  • Infrastructure & highways: specialising in rights of way issues and the provision of infrastructure in connection with development.

What they say

"The ability to turn matters around professionally, adding value and expertise, has been exceptional. All team members are able to deliver a professional and high-quality product in a timely manner, clearly explaining relevant technical matters to us as clients."

Legal 500 UK 2024

How our planning team works


For more than 25 years, our unique multi-disciplinary approach to providing advice on planning and the environment has proved a winning combination for developers, house builders, local authorities and landowners.

We have an excellent reputation for delivery of development projects and an exceptional understanding of the planning issues which face developers and house builders. Our work with local authorities is equally well regarded.

Local knowledge – an understanding of the region, the issues, the local authorities and the wider network of professionals operating in this field – is fundamental to our success. A detailed understanding of the regional planning landscape and its nuances is often the difference between failure and success.

But local doesn’t mean small.  We are routinely being engaged on sites as big as any in the UK.

Above all, our clients value our ability to drive through to successful planning and environmental outcomes – unblocking complicated developments, resolving disputes, identifying alternative scenarios and options, and never losing sight of the bigger picture on every site and every matter.

What they say

"The department at DMH Stallard combines an exceptional understanding of planning law with down to earth sound advice and a robust approach to finding client solutions."

Legal 500 UK 2022

How we've helped

We have acted on behalf of Brighton & Hove Albion FC in relation to the development of the Americal Express Community stadium in Falmer, Brighton. This is a long-term and strategic client relationship who we continue to advise on all their planning needs regarding the Club’s stadium and training ground complex.

 

Key Contacts

Heidi Copland

Further reading

Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023: The demise of the four-year rule

Blog
17/11/2023
A blanket 10 year time limit due to be implemented to take enforcement action on development without planning permission.
Read more Read

DMH Stallard recognised in the latest Chambers Guide

Blog, News & PR
25/10/2022
Chambers is recognised as the leading authority for ranking the most outstanding law firms and lawyers throughout the world
Read more Read

DMH Stallard maintains top tier status

Blog, News & PR
30/09/2022
Award winning law firm has retained eight top tier rankings and received recommendations for nine further practice areas in Legal500 directory
Read more Read

Brighton considers banning second homes

Blog
30/06/2022
Chloe Karamian reviews a Brighton & Hove City Council planning proposal to ensure new homes in the area do not become second homes after an increase of over 1,000 short-term holiday lets being advertised in the City this year since 2018
Read more Read
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