Planning
UK Guide 2025 : Yorkshire
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0113) 283 2500About
Provided by Walker Morris LLP
Our Planning & Environment team is known for its excellent client service. We’re defined by our superb technical ability and our practical experience of planning law is invaluable to our clients.
Between them, the Team has dealt with around 30 planning appeals, hearings or examinations in the last two years, with real variety in the work – covering sectors such as waste/renewables, motorway services, residential, retail and warehouse schemes.
We like to think we work right at the coal face, and as a result of this our team is in a unique position to understand and address the ever-evolving challenges of the planning system.
In both planning and environment law, we’re able to manage cases from cradle to grave and this end-to-end approach to work means our clients see us as a ‘one stop shop’ for strategic advice and advocacy services.
Our Team has real strength of numbers which is important when helping to co-ordinate planning applications and deal with contentious matters at the planning appeal, hearing or examination stage. Our work covers a wide range of development projects and we’re ready to help you with the negotiation of planning applications whenever you need us.
Chambers Review
Walker Morris has a strong presence in Yorkshire and offers a full range of planning services. It frequently advises house builders on residential and mixed-use development and strategic land issues. It offers extensive expertise in contentious planning matters, including public inquiries, and also regularly handles compulsory purchase orders.
Work Highlights
- Walker Morris advised Harworth Group on its successful planning appeal against the refusal of outline planning permission for the erection of up to 397 dwellings and associated infrastructure.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"A great feature of Walker Morris is their staff's ability to not only handle complex matters but verbally simplify issues when relaying information to clients and third parties."
"If there is anything trickier planning-wise, I veer towards them because they've got such a wide range of expertise on planning law."
"They are the number one planning firm in the North of England. Their in-house advocacy team sets them apart."
"The partners and directors are all exceptionally experienced practitioners, each of whom brings a strong understanding of planning law. They are strategic thinkers and have a keen attention to detail."
"Very knowledgeable and appreciative of client demands and expectations. A range of lawyers with varying levels of experience who always provide a great level of service that exceeds expectations."
"A great feature of Walker Morris is their staff's ability to not only handle complex matters but verbally simplify issues when relaying information to clients and third parties."
"If there is anything trickier planning-wise, I veer towards them because they've got such a wide range of expertise on planning law."
"They are the number one planning firm in the North of England. Their in-house advocacy team sets them apart."
"The partners and directors are all exceptionally experienced practitioners, each of whom brings a strong understanding of planning law. They are strategic thinkers and have a keen attention to detail."
"Very knowledgeable and appreciative of client demands and expectations. A range of lawyers with varying levels of experience who always provide a great level of service that exceeds expectations."
Notable Practitioners
Richard Sagar acts for house builders on development consent orders, compulsory purchase order matters and Section 106 agreements. He is also noted for representing clients in judicial reviews and appeals.
"Richard is highly knowledgeable in the field of planning. He provides excellent advice and consistently demonstrates a thorough understanding of not only the legal issue but the wider ramifications."
"Richard Sagar is one of the finest intellectuals among planning solicitors. He provides clients with a one-stop shop, is extremely effective and makes sound, tactical judgements."
"He provides a meticulous interrogation of the main issues and limitations of a particular case, which allows us to take informed decisions about our strategic approach to applications and appeals."
"Richard is very experienced, willing to listen and adaptable."
"Richard is forensic, very thorough and gets to the heart of issues directly."
Chris Slater offers particular strength in Section 106 agreements, while also advising on the Community Infrastructure Levy and compulsory purchase orders.
"Chris is an excellent practitioner with unquestionable knowledge of the planning system."
"Chris is a real expert on planning law, just a staple of the industry and brilliant."
"Chris's experience in delivering practicable planning agreements is exemplary. Agreements are negotiated by Chris with his customary attention to the minutiae of detail and prompt delivery."
"Chris's work and knowledge of the system is really good. His understanding of the Section 106 world gives him an edge on the commercial side."
"Chris knows his profession inside and out. He is very professional but also approachable."
Lee Gordon advises on development consent and compulsory purchase orders relating to residential-led mixed-use developments and energy and transport infrastructure projects.
"Lee provides a strong all-round service, is responsive to client requirements, and leads and supports well."
"I think Lee is an excellent solicitor. He has a really good brain and did a brilliant job. He dealt with the other side well and helped get to an agreement."
"Lee's drafting was really precise. Most people can't draft complicated legal documents but he certainly can. He was rigorous and very clever in his work; the clients loved him."
Robert Moore assists house builders with planning applications for residential and mixed-use developments. He is also noted for his work on distribution and logistics schemes along motorway corridors.
"I think he's a safe pair of hands and has got the experience over the years to know his way around as well."
"Rob is a pleasure to work with. He is a strategic thinker who sees the big picture, but he also has a keen attention to detail. He brings boundless enthusiasm and good humour to his work."
"Very approachable and knowledgeable. Always there to help."
"Very professional but also approachable. Robert is very thorough and gets to the heart of issues directly."
"Robert's commercial vision is strong. He is a strong and professional operator who is very strong on the detail."