Planning
UK Guide 2025 : Midlands
Band 2
About
Provided by Shakespeare Martineau
The planning team has an unrivalled reputation in the Midlands market due in part to our wider multi-disciplinary planning offering in the form of an additional 36 planning and heritage consultants and architects (Marrons).
What sets us apart is our strength in depth and our ability to provide a one-stop shop for our clients’ needs, from taking a development site through the allocations process, to negotiating what are often complex planning obligations. Our advice is pragmatic and commercial, and we pride ourselves on being seen as our client’s trusted advisors – we are an integral part of the client’s consultant team. We also provide expert advice on matters including potential enforcement action, compulsory purchase orders, development consent orders and all highways matters.
We have a market-leading contentious practice and this really sets us apart from other firms - Simon Stanion has a very highly regarding planning litigation practice.
Chambers Review
Shakespeare Martineau's planning team has an established presence in the Midlands. It advises public and private sector clients on the full scope of planning matters, including development consent orders, Section 106 agreements, compulsory purchase matters and judicial review. The team also acts for a number of house builders and developers on large residential projects.
Work Highlights
- Shakespeare Martineau acted for L&Q Estates to negotiate a Section 106 agreement in relation to the development of land at Exhall Lane in Coventry.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The quality of lawyer at Shakespeare Martineau is exceptionally high. The firm's strong coverage across the Midlands area supports us very well."
"The team are extremely responsive and provide commercially astute advice. The drafting produced is always sound."
"The quality of lawyer at Shakespeare Martineau is exceptionally high. The firm's strong coverage across the Midlands area supports us very well."
"The team are extremely responsive and provide commercially astute advice. The drafting produced is always sound."
Notable Practitioners
Simon Stanion acts for public and private sector clients on matters relating to residential and mixed-use development projects, including compliance, Section 106 agreements and planning applications. He further advises clients on contentious development proposals.
"Simon is a strong player in the market who really knows what he's doing."
Anna Cartledge advises on compulsory purchase, development consent orders and Section 106 agreements for mixed-use and infrastructure developments. She also represents clients in planning appeals.
"Anna Cartledge is a top lawyer - she's very, very good."
"Anna Cartledge is solution-focused, recognising the importance of the task and achieving the deadlines. She's exceptional."
Paul Wakefield regularly acts for local authorities and private clients. He is particularly active on planning applications and appeals, as well as planning obligations under Section 106.
"Paul is excellent. He's able to recall the necessary elements of planning law to give his clients a clear and concise understanding of the problems and solutions that face them."
Ranked Lawyers at
Shakespeare Martineau
Midlands
Members
Provided by Shakespeare Martineau