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THE COMPANY & WORKING AS A TEAM

THE COMPANY
Originally established in 1986, the Practice provides professional services to its wide client base, particularly the commercial sector, from its central Manchester base.

Since the Practice was originally established the planning system has changed considerably and is now undergoing further changes under the Coalition Government. We have applied the wealth of experience of Directors and staff in adapting to the changes to provide up to date and cogent advice to clients. We have a thorough practical knowledge of the working of the statutory planning system, and of how local government operates in its political environment. We have substantial experience of the needs of the commercial sector and what it requires of the planning system and also of the particular approach of community and interest based groups. This is of particular importance with the government's emphasis on local community based responsibility and decision making.

The Practice is involved in a wide range of planning work, particularly industrial and commercial proposals and conservation projects. We have particular experience and skills in preparing and promoting energy projects for both planning permission and Environmental Permitting, for food and drink projects, noxious industries where planning and environmental protection issues overlap, waste, and hospital developments.

We act for various operators of licensed premises, most of the major businesses in the the animal rendering industry in this country and many agri-food businesses, and the largest private mental health hospital operator in the UK. We also work on a much more local and personal scale for individual developers, house builders and farmers, particularly where green belt and countryside issues are involved, and also local authorities and local interest groups. Providing expert evidence for litigation cases is also a regular feature of our caseload.

Our skills include:

• identifying opportunities and sites and advising on and presenting development schemes to the best advantage;

• presenting and negotiating permissions and Certificates of Lawfulness;

• providing a full and thorough case at appeal, including as expert witness (Public Inquiries, Hearings or Written Representations), including Enforcement Notices,Compulsory Purchase Orders, Blight Notices, and more esoteric planning issues;

• expert evidence, including prior forensic investigation, and witness for planning and specialist environmental related litigation and other High Court actions;

• environmental consultancy, including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and particularly the interface between planning and environmental legislation (such as IPPC/Environmental Permitting)

WORKING AS A TEAM

One of the strengths of the Practice is the ability to bring together the appropriate team of people to suit the needs of the job in hand. This includes large scale, complex projects. Current schemes,for example, include bio-mass and other energy power plants which require Environmental Impact Assessment and a large team to assess, promote and see through to completion the planning and regulatory stages which may take several years. We have considerable experience in bringing these teams together, coordinating their inputs and preparing Environmental Statements and related documents and running the project from inception to completion. We work regularly with other firms and disciplines, such as architects, surveyors, air quality and noise specialists,highway and drainage engineers, landscape architects, leisure consultants, ecologists, etc.

AREA OF WORK

The Practice works throughout the country, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. We are well versed in planning and environmental issues in this extended region.

Our Services Include:

i) appraising the potential of sites for development particularly for commercial and industrial purposes and advising on length of option agreements - this includes an assessment of the site itself and the planning policy framework operated by the local planning authority;

ii) making representations on proposals and policies contained in local plans and presenting the clients' case at subsequent Public Local Inquiries;

iii) preparing development briefs and local plans and presentation to Chief Officers, Committees and the public;

iv) advising housebuilding and commercial/industrial development companies on changes in planning legislation, national and local development framework matters, housing and employment land availability and development feasibility;

v) advising clients on the presentation of development schemes, including engaging the local public and establishing and running public participation prior to and during the formal presentation of planning and Environmental Permitting applications;

vi) negotiating planning applications to the best advantage in terms of policy and political considerations with particular experience in agri-industrial, housing, commercial land and green belt matters;

vii) advising on the interface of planning and environmental control, particularly in reference to waste disposal, rendering, incineration, air quality and odour pollution and on the regulatory framework concerning waste; this includes preparing Environmental Permitting applications; also licence applications related to the animal waste industry;

viii) preparing and submitting planning applications in outline to establish the principle of development

ix) preparing and submitting appeals against refusal of planning permission, non-determination of applications and enforcement matters by way of written representations, informal hearings and public inquiries; appeals on Environmental Protection Act (Permitting on refusals; appeals against compulsory purchase orders

x) expert evidence at public inquiries, informal hearings and Court hearings on litigation cases.

We offer a personal, confidential and independent service for government bodies, local authorities, public and private companies, developers, residents' groups, local and parish councils and individuals.