Help needed finding a good planning solicitor/lawyer

Richard_Webster

Look for a chartered surveyor (regulated by RICS) specialising in planning issues or a chartered planning consultant (regulated by RTPI). Solicitor isn't really relevant here IMO.

I agree. There aren't many solicitors who really understand Planning Law and most of those used to work for Planning Authorities. A firm of solicitors that has a specialist Planning Law Department is going to be very big and very expensive, dealing with Hypermarkets and large residential developments for major national builders etc.

Sometimes talking to a Planning Authority will give you an idea of their likely reaction, and of any negative factors against what you want to do, but you will then need a Planning Consultant or a Surveyor with specialist knowledge, to advise about whether those negatives can be got round. It helps if they know the area and the foibles of the particualr Planning Authority.

guppy

Richard_Webster wrote: »

you will then need a Planning Consultant or a Surveyor with specialist knowledge, to advise about whether those negatives can be got round. It helps if they know the area and the foibles of the particualr Planning Authority.

I agree local is best. A local consultant will know the right people to speak to in your particular council, and should already have good working relations with them. They may even have worked for the council once.

I'm not involved in this area, but from what I have seen, a good consultant can be well worth it if the application will make you money, or is otherwise important to you.