Planning & Rating

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The Becket Chambers Planning Team advise and represent local authorities and individuals in criminal and civil proceedings under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in relation to breaches of planning control, enforcement notices, display of advertisements and ‘loss of amenity’ notices.

Our Barristers act for local authorities, developers and individuals involved in planning disputes. We will assist with advice in connection with planning applications, and also have extensive experience of undertaking planning inquiries and hearings, and appeals to enforcement proceedings (in either the criminal courts or as part of civil proceedings for injunctions and/or damages) in the High Court or County Court.

We have specialist knowledge of dealing with cases involving English Heritage, or properties with Listed Building status, and in assessing environmental impact of developments.

  • Environmental impact
  • Listed Buildings
  • Planning enquiries
  • Rights of way
  • Use of agricultural land

Planning & Rating Barristers

Case Studies

Long–standing use of agricultural land for parking (Re CF)

Paul represented the Local Authority in a Planning Inquiry concerning the use of an extensive site for off-airport car parking. This long-running case involved a company which had been granted initial permission to use farmland to park 200 cars, and had subsequently extended their multi-million point operation to accommodate 1400-1500 vehicles without additional permission. The … Continue reading →

Retaining right of way to a local footpath (Re HSM)

Paul represented a Local Authority in a footpath inquiry involving access across private land owned by a wild fowl conservation (shooting) club. Local walkers had historically used the footpath as it joined two other paths approximately ¾ mile apart to create a circular walk. They asked the Local Authority to take action when the shooting … Continue reading →

Disputing the status of a Listed Building

Paul represented a Local Authority in a dispute regarding Listed Building status of a historic building; involving the identification and description of the building and the enforceability of the Grade 2 listing. The building’s owner had already carried out a significant amount of work to the building, demolishing large parts of it, before civil proceedings … Continue reading →

Complex planning issue involving a mobile home

Melanie acted for the Respondents in a case involving purchase of a permanently sited ‘mobile’ home on a site in a Conservation Area. Although purchased from a reputable developer, the site became the subject of an enforcement notice by the local authority, relating to lack of correct planning permission. Melanie successfully negotiated a favourable outcome … Continue reading →

Preventing inappropriate development in a residential area

Melanie acted for a Residents’ Association in an appeal against planning permission for a substantial non-domestic development in a residential area. The focus of her clients’ objection was: change of use inappropriate development in a residential area increased traffic and related parking issues in a residential area Melanie’s representation on behalf of her clients was … Continue reading →

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