The law and practice of Town and Country Planning can be complex and confusing. It was in 1947 that the Town and Country Planning Act heralded a comprehensive legislative framework designed to regulate and control the development and use of land. From that Act has grown a detailed and complex range of statutes, regulations, circulars, guidance notes and case law, which together form the framework for today's Town and Country Planning regime.

The primary objective of solicitors specialising in Town and Country Planning is to help their clients achieve their aims as quickly and economically as possible. The planning process encompasses a number of diverse disciplines and our planning solicitors are well placed to give comprehensive advice and offer an important overview of the law and practice of Town and Country Planning particularly with regard to:-

We can advise on all aspects of the planning process and development schemes, from the planning application or appeal and matters such as enforcement, listed building and conservation area applications to compulsory purchase, tree preservation orders, brown land development and countless other situations in which special planning controls apply - all of which together today constitute the modern town and country planning regime. Members will know of and will be able to recommend the other professionals whose input may be needed. They will often act as advocates at public inquiries and by reason of their legal qualification will have the technical expertise to draft and negotiate the many legal documents so often vital if a satisfactory planning permission is to be secured, whether at the application or appeal stage.

Anthony Northey is a member of the Law Society's Specialist Planning Panel.