Planning

Overview

“ ‘Excellent, friendly’ Six Pump Court provides ‘first rate’ advice on a range of planning matters, with criminal and regulatory expertise to complement its strengths in planning.” – Legal 2022

 

The breadth of Chambers’ areas of specialism, including our highly successful (and ranked) Regulatory and Environmental teams, provides our clients with a depth of talent and experience within Chambers that distinguishes Six Pump Court from other sets planning sets in London.

Our planning law barristers appear regularly in the full range of courts and tribunals engaged in planning law, including inquiries and hearings into planning applications and appeals, enforcement appeals and the examination of local plans, CIL charging schedules and neighbourhood plans. We also appear at inquiries and hearings into proposed compulsory purchase orders, development consents, village greens and other statutory orders concerning highways and Public Rights of Way

Six Pump Court is also recognised for its experience and expertise in related areas of public law and civil litigation, appearing regularly in the Senior Courts at first instance and on appeal. Our planning law barristers have considerable experience of cases involving judicial review and statutory challenges in the Planning Court; appeals by way of case stated in the Divisional Court; and claims for planning injunctions in the Interim Applications Court in the King’s Bench Division.

Our planning law barristers are instructed by a diverse range of public, private and third sector clients. We act for a large number of local authorities across the country, government departments and other statutory bodies engaged in planning matters, undertaking a diverse mix of plan-making, decision-taking and enforcement work.  Our members also act for a wide variety of developers, businesses and individuals, assisting them to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the regime of planning control and enforcement in pursuit of realistic and effective outcomes.

Many of our members are recommended as specialist planning barristers in the Chambers UK Bar Guide and Legal 500.

Testimonials

"Six Pump Court provides a ‘personal standard of care’ and hosts ‘excellent advocates at all levels’ who advise on a full spectrum of planning matters, complemented by additional regulatory and criminal expertise."

"Six Pump Court has a real strength and depth of quality counsel for planning and public law matters, from top silks to new pupils, there are excellent advocates at all levels."

― Legal 500 [2023]

“ ‘Excellent, friendly’ Six Pump Court provides ‘first rate’ advice on a range of planning matters, with criminal and regulatory expertise to complement its strengths in planning.”

― Legal 500 [2022]

"The degree of professionalism and expertise at Six Pump Court is impressive."

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2022]

“Six Pump Court is well regarded for planning work in both advisory and litigation contexts, with an affinity for matters that overlap with related disciplines such as regulatory and environmental law.”

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2021]

"Six Pump Court provides high-quality advice and advocacy in a range of planning matters. Its barristers are frequently instructed by local authorities to act in planning enforcement cases and residential development matters. "

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2020]

“The set’s potent public sector expertise is augmented by its considerable experience of acting on behalf of private clients on a host of matters, including enforcement actions, appeals and judicial reviews.”

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2018]

“Six Pump Court has ‘always been a go-to set for planning matters, with an excellent range of barristers who are ready to help and go beyond the call of duty’. The set was reappointed to the London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA) panel for planning, and members also act for private clients such as landowners, developers and infrastructure providers.”

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2017]

“The set remains a top choice for local authorities requiring representation in appeals and inquiries, particularly in regard to planning enforcement, local plans and community infrastructure levy matters. This expertise is demonstrated by the set’s appointment to the London Boroughs’ Legal Alliance.”

― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2016]

Latest news

16th February 2024

Giles Atkinson was successful in resisting an appeal against non-determination of application for a large care home

Giles was successful in resisting an appeal against non-determination of application for 150 houses and a 50-bed Care Home in the Metropolitan Green Belt,...

16th February 2024

Megan Thomas Wins Second Appeal Against Extra Care Facility

Megan Thomas KC has won a second appeal against a proposed 89 Unit Extra Care Facility in Loughton, Essex. She acted for Epping Forest...

7th December 2023

A Practical Guide to Habitats Law in Planning and Permitting in England by Brendon Moorhouse

Brendon Moorhouse is one of chambers' leading environmental and planning barristers. He is regularly instructed in habitat and wildlife related matters and is frequently instructed in high profile permitting and planning related cases. He is a contributing author to Garner’s Environmental Law. A visiting research fellow and external member of the University of West of England’s environmental law faculty, he is also a trustee and member of the global advisory panel of the Conservation Collective charity.

25th October 2023

Anne Williams and Peter Cruickshank successfully represented the London Borough of Hackney in significant planning appeal

Lamb Lane Partnership Limited sought permission to demolish an unkempt building in central Hackney in a conservation area. They sought to replace it with a mixed-use scheme, with workspaces in the basement and ground floor levels, and residential units above.

5th September 2023

Richard Barraclough KC and Mark Davies acted for the applicants in their application for an interim injunction

Richard Barraclough KC and Mark Davies acted for the applicants in their application for an interim injunction. Megan Thomas KC advised on the planning...

16th August 2023

Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023 – Six Pump Court Receives Nominations in Three Categories

Chambers is delighted to announce three nominations at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2023. Chambers has received two nominations for Set of the...

16th August 2023

Giles Atkinson Finds Success in Multiple Complex Planning Cases

Giles Atkinson has had a great couple of years in the planning industry, representing Local Authority in complicated matters. See below and on Giles'...

3rd May 2023

Care home planning appeal in Wokingham

Anne Williams and Douglas Scott appeared for Wokingham Borough Council in a two-day planning appeal (2 and 3 May 2023), whereby the appellant sought permission to construct an 80-bed dementia care home. Neil Cameron K.C. acted for the appellant.

16th December 2022

PINS’ Appeals Planning Officer scheme found procedurally unfair – Anne Williams and Angelica Rokad represent successful claimant

PINS’ Appeals Planning Officer scheme found procedurally unfair by the High Court on the ground of unlawful delegation by the High Court in statutory...

2nd December 2022

Interpretation of the phrase “as originally designed” in planning policy

Angelica Rokad was instructed by the successful Local Planning Authority in two conjoined planning appeals which required the Inspector (amongst other matters) to consider the meaning of the phrase “as originally designed” in relation to development sought in the back garden of a dwelling.

14th November 2022

Life as a Junior Barrister – In the Words of the Independent Bar- new book

A new book published recently offers guidance, insights and advice from new barristers from a diverse range of backgrounds and practice areas, shedding light...

14th November 2022

Anne Williams and James Harrison represent residents in appeal against plans for a traveller site in East Hampshire

Anne Williams and James Harrison represented a group of 350 residents in an appeal concerning plans by East Hampshire District Council local authority to go ahead with a proposed gypsy/traveller site in the local area.

24th October 2022

Six Pump Court ranked Band 1 Set and barristers receive 43 rankings

Six Pump Court Chambers is delighted to be ranked as a Band 1 Set with Set rankings in Crime, Consumer Environment, Health & Safety...

3rd October 2022

Legal 500 UK Bar Awards – Mark Beard and Ian Thomas nominated

We are looking forward to the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022 this week and wish Mark Beard and Ian Thomas the best of luck...

30th September 2022

Six Pump Court – Legal 500 2023 rankings

Six Pump Court has been recommended in 8 areas of law in the Legal 500 2023 with 59 individual recommendations. Six Pump Court is...

25th July 2022

Planning Inquiry Training – Anne Williams and Angelica Rokad

Six Pump Court are pleased to offer planning inquiry training to prospective parties involved in a planning appeal.

8th July 2022

Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022 – Six Pump Court receives nominations in four categories

Chambers is delighted to announce four nominations at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2022.

22nd June 2022

Planning permission for exploratory fracking dismissed

In June 2022, the Secretary of State found in favour of the council's case and dismissed the appellant's application for planning permission for exploratory...

25th February 2022

EIA Parameter Plans interpreted in line with common sense

Megan Thomas QC acting for Canterbury City Council successfully defended two judicial reviews seeking to challenge the discharge of conditions on an outline planning permission.

30th November 2021

Six Pump Court barristers listed in Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2021

Stephen Hockman QC, David Hercock and Christopher Badger are been included in the WWL UK Bar 2021 list of leading barristers in Environmental Law.

Events

22nd March 2024

RTPI London Mock Inquiry

Our Planning barristers are pleased to be sponsoring and presenting at this year’s RTPI London Mock Inquiry taking place on 22nd March 2024, 9:30am-4pm...

28th November 2022

Helping to shape the environment for the future: making a career at the Planning & Environment Bar

Mark Davies will be speaking at this event organised by the Planning & Environment Bar Association (PEBA).

30th June 2022

Planning Law Update

We are delighted to offer another in our series of Planning Law updates.

14th June 2022

UKELA Conference 14 -18 June

On 14th -18th June the UKELA conference will take place and we are delighted to be one of the sponsors once again.

24th January 2022

Public Rights of Way Webinars – Highway creation, adoption, and extinguishment

The third webinar in our Public Rights of Way series will consider some of the issues which can arise when new highways are created in conjunction with new development.

3rd December 2021

Environmental Law Hybrid Conference – 3rd December 2021

Six Pump Court is pleased to announce our first full day Environmental Law Conference, bringing together specialist counsel with leading external speakers to cover a range of topical environmental issues.

29th November 2021

Recent case law from the Planning Court – Women in Planning

Women in Planning together with Six Pump Court Chambers are hosting this webinar rounding up recent case law from the Planning Court.

8th November 2021

Public Rights of Way Webinars – Diversion orders

The second webinar in our Public Rights of Way series will cover some of the trickier points relating to highway diversions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Highways Act 1980.

6th September 2021

Public Rights of Way Webinars – Definitive Map Modification Order applications

The first webinar in our series is for new rights of way officers, and anyone who would like to refresh their knowledge of some of the basic (and some of the more challenging) issues relating to Definitive Map Modification Order applications,

28th June 2021

Planning Law Update Webinar

We are very pleased to be hosting a Planning Law Update webinar this month.

14th June 2021

UKELA Conference 14 -18 June

We are delighted to be one of the sponsors once again at this year's event. Members of Six Pump Court will be taking part and presenting some of the sessions.

19th June 2020

Webinar: Heritage Assessment and Design in Planning Decisions

On Friday 19th June Six Pump Court will host a webinar entitled Heritage Assessment and Design in Planning Decisions.

20th March 2019

Piercing the Corporate Veil: The Principle of ‘Separate Legal Personality’

Six Pump Court presents the third in our series of Environmental Law Seminars to be held this year.

28th February 2019

Company Directors and Environmental Responsibilities

Six Pump Court presents the second in our series of Environmental Law Seminars to be held this year.

31st January 2019

Private Nuisance: Key Contemporary Issues or “Bringing Home the Bacon”

Six Pump Court, together with UKELA Eastern Region presents an environmental seminar - Private Nuisance: Key Contemporary Issues.

13th July 2018

Friday 13th July – Regulatory Law Conference 2018 (Birmingham)

Six Pump Court will present a Regulatory and Planning Law Conference to be held on 13th July in Birmingham.

20th November 2017

Regulatory and Planning Law Conference 2017 (Leeds)

Six Pump Court presents a Regulatory and Planning Law Conference to be held on 20th November in Leeds.

The event will cover a variety of topics providing essential updates on specialist areas, informative discussion on topical issues and practical tips for regulators and for those who represent the regulated.

12th July 2017

Piercing the Veil’ Incorporation and Liability for Environmental Damage: Widening the Net

Six Pump Court presents the third in our series of Environmental and Public Law Seminars to be held this year. Wednesday 12th July –...

11th July 2017

Private Nuisance Litigation Masterclass

Our series of Masterclass Environmental Law Seminars continues next month with a second seminar, Private Nuisance Litigation Masterclass to be held on 11th July.

Our planning team