Planning
UK Guide 2025 : Midlands
Band 1
Contact number
(0121) 200 1050Chambers Review
Pinsent Masons offers a planning team with particular expertise in complex housing, infrastructure and compulsory purchase work. It is also a leading firm in energy and transport planning, acting on a number of nationally significant DCO projects. The team regularly advises public and private clients on a regional and national basis, often on their most prominent projects.
Work Highlights
- Pinsent Masons advised National Highways on the planning elements of its A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project. This notably included a complex DCO application.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I've a great deal of confidence in the ability of Pinsent Masons to handle all our complex and novel work. The team working with us includes people with a very high level of experience and expertise."
"To date I have not found an area within Pinsent Masons where there is any lack of knowledge provision. The people we deal with on a day-to-day basis have a vast knowledge of our area of work."
"The team provides commercially minded, thorough and robust legal advice on complex matters, often under strong time pressures too."
"Pinsent Masons have their finger on the pulse with sector developments, and the lawyers are pragmatic in their advice and in what the client can and can't achieve."
"No matter what else they have on, the team always make you feel like your project is the most important."
"I've a great deal of confidence in the ability of Pinsent Masons to handle all our complex and novel work. The team working with us includes people with a very high level of experience and expertise."
"To date I have not found an area within Pinsent Masons where there is any lack of knowledge provision. The people we deal with on a day-to-day basis have a vast knowledge of our area of work."
"The team provides commercially minded, thorough and robust legal advice on complex matters, often under strong time pressures too."
"Pinsent Masons have their finger on the pulse with sector developments, and the lawyers are pragmatic in their advice and in what the client can and can't achieve."
"No matter what else they have on, the team always make you feel like your project is the most important."
Notable Practitioners
Lucy Thomas frequently acts on compulsory purchases, planning agreements and highway matters concerning mixed-use developments, garden villages and regeneration projects. She comes highly recommended for her experience advising on nationally significant mandates.
"Lucy is an incredible and inspirational lawyer and expert in her area."
Heidi Slater is praised for her handling of planning, compulsory purchase and land assembly issues for major infrastructure projects. She advises both developers and local authorities.
"Heidi is always approachable, knowledgeable and friendly."
"Heidi very helpfully provides explanations that can be understood by a varied audience. She responds to queries in a timely manner."
"Heidi has a wealth of experience and knowledge, being able to cover a wide range of elements relating to infrastructure planning."
Matthew Fox specialises in the environmental, consent and design aspects of major infrastructure projects, including transport-related developments.
"Matt is commercially aware, readily understands his clients' goals and objectives, is equally comfortable on both vision and detail, and has amazing drive and commitment to get the job done well."
"Matt brings a lot of knowledge and experience relating to our projects. He is a very approachable person, being able to help guide and provide tailored advice."
Sophie Carlile acts on residential and mixed-use schemes, advising local authorities and house builders on compulsory purchase and Section 106 agreements.