Kamran Hyder  heads up Ward Hadaway LLP’s planning and environment team, which has extensive expertise across the full range of relevant work, including developments, commercial issues, and heritage work. Handling applications, appeals, s106 agreements, and historic right of way issues, the team has a strong foothold in the residential development sector. Hyder is a specialist in highways and compulsory purchase law; Carolyn Akerman is another key name here. Another key individual is Robin Atkin, who takes point on planning permissions, advice relating to certificates of lawful use, and s106 agreements.

The ‘extremely practical’ planning and environment offering at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP collaborates closely with the firm’s other offices and handles both environmental and planning matters for clients in the utilities, waste, and chemicals sectors. The latter is a key area of expertise for the group, which excels in advising on both national and European regulatory frameworks. The ‘exceptional‘ Tim Hill, who takes point on contentious environmental mandates, is a key individual in the Newcastle office; Hill handles enforcement actions, compliance breaches, and challenges to enforcement and abatement notices. Jane Southworth, who heads the environment practice from Manchester, is known as 'the consummate professional and go-to for all environmental and broader ESG related matters.'

Local authorities and public bodies regularly seek the council of Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s planning and environment team, which works closely with the firm’s litigation and regulatory departments to act on major infrastructure developments, planning applications, and enforcement issues. Stephen Dagg heads up the Newcastle offering, handling general planning advice, with an emphasis on highways and compulsory purchase issues. Another key name here is Rachel Sykes, who is recommended for defending judicial review claims, while Francesca Hodgson attracts significant praise for her ‘extensive and unparalleled‘ expertise across regulatory and compliance issues in the environmental space.