Planning
UK Guide 2025 : Thames Valley
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0118) 958 0224About
Provided by BDB Pitmans LLP
At BDB Pitmans, planning work is handled by a dedicated team of specialist planning lawyers, each of whom have significant expertise in the area. The specialist team deal with complex s106 Agreements, advise on the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations, highways, give strategic planning advice on major sites, and defend Judicial Review Proceedings.
Speciality areas include:
- Section 106 agreements and affordable housing
- Highways, rights of way, commons and village greens: The team advises extensively on all manner of Highway and Rights of Way issues, including ancient highways, access issues, stopping up and diversions and the implications of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2004.
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- Real estate, finance and insolvency work
- Assets of community value
- Judicial review and statutory review: The Planning team leads on the firm’s Planning Court judicial review and statutory review proceedings.
- Listed buildings: The team acts for Historic England and has experience assessing developments on heritage grounds and their impact.
- Planning enforcement
Chambers Review
BDB Pitmans is experienced in acting for homebuilders and other developers on various projects, including affordable housing schemes and working with local councils on development projects. The firm frequently handles appeals and judicial review proceedings, as well as assets of community value and Community Infrastructure Levy work. The lawyers are also adept in representing clients in planning enforcement actions.
Work Highlights
- BDB Pitmans is acting for East Suffolk Council in connection with the delivery of new flood defences around Lowestoft Harbour.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team provide strong advice on how a Section 106 should best be structured for developer clients. They're conscious of the commercial factors involved."
"BDB are very forward-thinking and firm with our stakeholders. The team are very user-friendly and clear."
"The team cuts to the heart of the matter quickly. They are extremely pragmatic, recognising the constraints that clients are under and the wider implications of their suggested approach."
"The team provide strong advice on how a Section 106 should best be structured for developer clients. They're conscious of the commercial factors involved."
"BDB are very forward-thinking and firm with our stakeholders. The team are very user-friendly and clear."
"The team cuts to the heart of the matter quickly. They are extremely pragmatic, recognising the constraints that clients are under and the wider implications of their suggested approach."
Notable Practitioners
Senior associate Chris Holmes is recognised as a rising star in the Thames Valley planning space. He has notable experience advising local councils and developer clients on Section 106 matters and infrastructure projects.
"Chris has an excellent understanding of our business. He is very prompt with responses, and offers clarity and commercial sensitivity."
"Chris quickly and ably grasps complex issues quickly and delivers highly effective advice in an easily digestible manner. He is highly personable and pragmatic in his approach."
"Chris is great - he's very responsive and wields detailed knowledge around Section 106 agreements. I'd recommend him to others in the industry."