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Anne Williams has been a specialist Planning and Environmental law barrister for over 20 years, having previously practiced at Landmark Chambers. She is recommended by the Legal 500 (2025) and the Chambers UK Bar Guide (2025) and also ranked in the Planning Magazine’s Annual Survey‘s list of most admired planning law barristers. She has also been shortlisted for Planning and Land Use Junior of the year in the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2024.
Anne specialises in advising and appearing for developers and public authorities at Planning Inquiries, Hearings and in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Anne also appears at rights of way inquiries. Anne is regularly instructed by a large number of authorities throughout England. She sits as an Inspector in a number of Village Green inquiries. She is also a Visiting Professor at UCL.
Anne accepts public access instructions.
Planning
Her Planning work includes:
- Appeared for the order making authority Nottingham County Council at a Diversion Inquiry
- Representing London Borough of Hackney resiting a major residential development in a key location. See news item here.
- Successfully representing Wokingham Borough Council in a dementia care home hearing. A key material consideration was the impact of climate change. This case has been relied on in other appeals. See news item here.
- Representing the successful claimant in a case where the PINS’ Appeals Planning Officer scheme was found to be procedurally unfair on the ground of unlawful delegation by the High Court in a statutory planning review claim. Click here for the judgment.
- Advising developers on pre-application discussions, the content of planning applications and prospects of success on appeal.
- Representing appellant in Bangor Wharf inquiry – a residential scheme adjacent to Regents Park Canal.
- Representing Christ’s Hospital School at inquiry for proposed major sports facility.
- Advising on prior approval applications.
- Advising a chain of pubs on the consequences of ACV listing.
- DP World – proposed container port. Rail line and commercial and logistics centre containing 10 million sq ft of commercial development, Thames Gateway (this was a six month inquiry, and described as a ‘once in a lifetime’ case) and many office, retail and residential proposals involving planning and environmental issues. Click here to access the DP World London Gateway website.
- Advising Bembridge Harbour, Isle of Wight on various developments
- The National Gallery Extension (Trafalgar Square)
- Stone Bassett New Town
- Advising on proposals for a major strategic mixed use site in West Ham
- She has promoted five development plans in inquiries lasting up to 3 months
- Conducted the first Bar Direct planning case for The Outdoor Advertising Council of Great Britain. Anne has undertaken numerous ‘Advertisement’ cases.
- Resisted a highly controversial application to register a village green on behalf of the main objector – Hythe Town Council.
- Various section 288 challenges to Inspector’s decisions.
- Appears for local authorities in particular when councillors have overturned officers’ recommendations including in May 2023 appearing for Wokingham Borough Council at a hearing against an 80 bed dementia home.
- Appeared in support at a major retail inquiry in Bognor Regis.
- Regularly acts for local authorities resisting major housing developments, including Basingstoke & Deane District Council, Arun District Council, Hart District Council, Daventry District Council and Maldon District Council.
- Very experienced in conducting cases relating to heritage conservation and design.
- Advised Norfolk County Council on potential judicial review challenge.
- Appears frequently for developers promoting residential and commercial development. Also advises on the implementation of planning permissions
- Advised London Borough of Islington on affordable housing policy.
- Appeared in a High Court challenge under the Habitats Regulations.
- Also appears regularly in enforcement and LDC cases.
- Advised in relation to the ‘Megamosque’.
- Village green and Commons cases
Recommendations
"Anne impresses with her grasp of the facts and how she gets to grips with the cases."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2025]"Anne is an exceptional senior junior barrister whose knowledge and expertise are extensive at every stage of the process."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2025]"Anne is an experienced and capable barrister who is very much a people person, putting clients at ease in dealing with the complexities of the planning system. She structures a conference well and gives precise and to the point advice which clients appreciate. She is a skilled advocate who gets to the heart of a case."
― Legal 500 [2025]"Receives praise for her consistently high-quality client service, as well as her keen legal skills. As a barrister, qualified planner and regular inspector at village green inquiries, she is able to apply her extensive experience to high-profile and complex cases of all types. She represents developers and public authorities and has experience in cases which involve sensitive issues surrounding government and local government policy."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2024]"Anne is very personable with clients and sets out clearly the process and the areas she wants them to answer questions on. Her advocacy is effective and probing without any aggression or rudeness. She seeks to get a full understanding of the subject."
― Legal 500 [2024]"She is a skilled cross examiner who can be incisive, whilst being polite. She also produces well researched and prepared legal opinions."
― Legal 500 [2023]"Anne is very personable and thorough. She puts lay clients at ease from the outset, explaining the processes and intricacies of appeal and inquiry procedures."
― Legal 500 [2023]"She puts lay clients minds at rest with her quick analysis and her explanations of exoteric points of law and procedure."
― Legal 500 [2022]"Anne is client-friendly, easy to work with and thorough in her preparation." "She has an excellent advocacy style and is very good at drawing out people's strengths."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2022]Appointments
Anne Williams was appointed to the Enabling Panel of the Design Council (CABE). She regularly lectures and speaks at conferences on planning law and has made programmes for Legal Network TV. She was recently appointed a Visiting Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning, UCL.
Publications
Anne Williams has written articles for various publications including Planning – most recently on the application of the Habitats Directive to the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Areas.
- Editorial Board of Garner’s Environmental Law
- Editor, Atkins Court Forms, Town and Country Planning
- Editor, Protection of the Environment and Public Health
- Halsbury’s Laws: Contributor to Town and Country Planning volume and Open Spaces volume
- Blundell & Dobry: Planning Applications and Appeals (Sweet and Maxwell). This successful and long-established work comprises a practical guide to all aspects of appeals and inquiries connected with the planning process.
Memberships
- British Urban Regeneration Association
- Planning and Environment Bar Association
- RIBA Planning Group
- Royal Town Planning Institute
Latest news
15th November 2024
Operator’s Licence Win in Long Planning Saga
Mark Davies, dealing with traffic matters, and Anne Williams, dealing with planning matters, represented Kingswood Pallets Ltd in a public inquiry held on 18...
1st October 2024
Anne Williams and Peter Cruickshank successful in defending planning appeal after 2 week inquiry
The Planning Inspectorate have published their decision dismissing the appeal of a developer who had been refused permission for two tower blocks on the...
10th July 2024
Anne Williams and Peter Cruickshank start two-week planning inquiry
Anne Williams and Peter Cruickshank are starting a two-week planning inquiry instructed by Bromley London Borough Council next week on 16 July 2024. Bromley...
8th March 2024
Six Pump Court celebrates International Women’s Day 2024
Six Pump Court celebrates the remarkable women barristers in chambers who practise in all areas of law. This year they have achieved success at...
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.
4th August 2023
Successful resistance of care home planning appeal – a reminder of the importance of sufficient climate change information
Anne Williams and Douglas Scott have successfully represented Wokingham Borough Council in its resistance of a planning appeal that sought permission to construct an...
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.
8th March 2023
International Women’s Day 2023 – Six Pump Court Chambers
Six Pump Court celebrates the remarkable women barristers in chambers who practise in all areas of law. This year they have achieved success at all levels with their diverse, busy and successful practices.
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...
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.
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 March 2022
International Women’s Day 2022 – Six Pump Court Chambers
Six Pump Court is proud to celebrate the women barristers in chambers who practise in all areas of law:
14th September 2021
New Christ’s Hospital School £25m sports centre plans approved
Horsham District Council’s planning committee have approved a major application to build the facilities. Anne Williams and Angelica Rokad represented the School.
22nd June 2021
Anne Williams and William McBarnet successfully represent appellant at planning inquiry
The appellant had appealed the decision of the local council not to grant planning permission for the development of a low carbon home in Dorset.
28th April 2021
Homestead planning inquiry to begin in May
Anne Williams and William McBarnet will represent the Appellant at this four day planning inquiry into the Homestead, a low carbon home in Bothenhampton, Dorset.
16th 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.
1st June 2020
Webinar: Heritage Assessment and Design in Planning Decisions
On Thursday 4th June, Six Pump Court and Women in Planning will host a joint webinar entitled Heritage Assessment and Design in Planning Decisions.
8th July 2019
Anne Williams invited to speak at AESOP Annual Congress
Anne Williams has been invited to speak at the AESOP Annual Congress in Venice on 9th-13th July.
1st April 2019
Six Pump Court barristers ranked in Planning Law Survey 2019
Members of Six Pump Court have been included in the rankings of the most highly regarded planning barristers published in the latest Planning Law Survey.
3rd December 2018
Anne Williams represents London Borough in a National Planning Policy test case
Anne Williams appeared on behalf of the London Borough of Islington appealing against a refusal of planning permission for a key residential development in Tollington Park.
9th October 2018
Anne Williams acts in planning appeal considering proposed residential development in light of new NPPF advice
Anne Williams will represent the London Borough of Islington in an upcoming planning appeal relating to a proposed residential development in the Tollington Park Conservation Area.
25th May 2018
Anne Williams to speak at Conference on Regulatory Issues in Property Law
Anne Williams will be speaking at this weekend's Regulatory Issues in Property Law Conference 2018 hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Property Law (CCPL).
27th March 2018
Anne Williams represents local authority at inquiry into plans to convert a footpath into a cycle track
Anne Williams has successfully appeared on behalf of the London Borough of Waltham Forest at an inquiry into the local authority's plans for the conversion of a public footpath to a cycle track.
10th November 2017
Bangor Wharf housing planning appeal
Six Pump Court barristers will represent both parties at an upcoming planning appeal relating to a major housing development on Regent’s Canal, Camden
11th November 2016
Anne Williams represents restaurant in immediate Article 4 Direction
Anne Williams has represented the Le Colombier restaurant in Chelsea regarding an immediate Article 4 Direction made by the Royal Borough of Kensington and...
5th October 2016
Deliberate Concealment in Planning Enforcement Case
Anne Williams has successfully defended a client against allegations of deliberate concealment in a recent planning enforcement case. The case was brought by the...
20th September 2016
Anne Williams successfully defends council’s decision on housing policy
Anne Williams has successfully defended a decision of Arun District Council to refuse planning permission for 100 dwellings in the area of St Mary’s,...
30th August 2016
Anne Williams appointed to the Lexis PSL Planning editorial board
Anne Williams has been appointed to the Lexis PSL Planning editorial board. Along with other experts in planning law she will advise on the...
29th March 2016
Six Pump Court barristers ranked in Planning Law Survey 2016
Members of Six Pump Court have been included in the rankings published in the Planning Law Survey 2016. Anne Williams and Mark Beard have...
2nd February 2016
Mock Public Inquiry – Friday 18th March
Six Pump Court in association with The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London will be presenting this Mock Inquiry on Friday...
4th August 2015
How to Operate Skilfully and Advantageously within the Planning System
Anne Williams will be speaking at a forthcoming White Paper Planning Conference entitled 'How to Operate Skilfully and Advantageously within the Planning System'. Anne...
18th May 2015
Application of Barnwell Manor principles test
Anne Williams has successfully represented the Nicholls Lane Field Action Group in an Inquiry into a refusal by Stafford Borough Council for a residential...
13th April 2015
Members of Planning Team ranked in Planning Law Survey
Members of Six Pump Court's Planning Team have been ranked highly in the annual Planning Law Survey for 2015. William Upton, Mark Beard and...
3rd March 2015
Planning for Conveyancers – a webinar
On 4th March, Anne Williams and Laura Phillips will present a webinar entitled ‘Planning for Conveyancers’ as part of the LexisNexis series of webinars...
26th January 2015
Six Pump Court strengthens ties with The Bartlett, UCL
A team of barristers from Six Pump Court, including Anne Williams, recently appointed as a Visiting Professor, Mark Beard, Pascal Bates, Ian Rees Phillips...
5th November 2014
Anne Williams appears on behalf of residents action group opposed to proposed residential development in Moddershall Valley
Anne Williams is appearing on behalf of an action group of residents (Nicholls Lane Action Group) who are opposed to a proposed residential development...
5th October 2014
Anne Williams – Village Green Inspector
Specialist planning and environmental law barrister at Six Pump Court Chambers, Anne Williams is sitting as Village Green Inspector in Enfield.
5th October 2014
Anne Williams joins the editorial team of Garner’s Environmental Law
Six Pump Court Chambers Planning barrister, Anne Williams has been appointed to the editorial board of 'Garner's Environmental Law'. This loose-leaf title, published by...
5th October 2014
A Guide to Conducting Planning Inquiries – Podcast available
A 30 minute podcast called 'A Guide to Conducting Planning Inquiries' can now be downloaded. This podcast is a step-by-step practical guide to planning...
24th September 2014
Anne Williams acting for local authority in a major mixed use redevelopment case
Anne Williams is acting for the Royal Borough of Kingston council in a major mixed use redevelopment case which includes 200 student bedrooms. Amongst...
15th August 2014
Anne Williams acting for local authority in a major mixed use redevelopment case
Anne Williams is acting for the Royal Borough of Kingston council in a major mixed use redevelopment case which includes 200 student bedrooms. Amongst...
28th July 2014
Anne Williams and Gordon Menzies host seminar at MWAI Architects on recent changes to the planning regime
Anne Williams and Gordon Menzies hosted a seminar at MWAI Architects this month in which they spoke about the recent changes to the planning...
21st July 2014
Members of Six Pump Court ranked in Planning newspaper’s 2013-2014 Planning Law Survey
Members of the Six Pump Court have been ranked highly in Planning newspaper’s annual Planning Law Survey for 2013-2014. Members featured in all three...
9th July 2014
Anne Williams appointed Visiting Professor at the Barlett School of Architecture and Planning
Anne Williams has been appointed Visiting Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning, part of University College London. UCL is one of...
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...
30th June 2022
Planning Law Update
We are delighted to offer another in our series of Planning Law updates.
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