Planning and Environment
Working within an expansive real estate legal team, our planning and environmental lawyers stand out for their skill in delivering bespoke solutions tailored to your specific needs. We have a proven track-record for taking a solutions and results-based approach, answering your questions and anticipating the challenges you might face during the full life-cycle of development projects.
Services
ContactsOverview
We are involved with numerous regeneration and infrastructure projects, as well as ambitious mixed-use schemes – including Garden Villages. Our clients include investors, developers, social landlords, central and local government, universities, and NHS Trusts.
Our planning lawyers advise residential and commercial property clients on large strategic sites, providing guidance on site promotion to allocation, planning strategy, and conducting legal reviews of major planning applications.
We are known for our expertise in drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 agreements, including viability review mechanisms, to support the most complex multi-phase schemes such as the redevelopment of local authority owned land. Our expert planning lawyers frequently represent clients at appeals and inquiries, and deal with both statutory planning challenges and judicial review.
We also regularly advise on a broad spectrum of planning legal issues, including highways, enforcement, permitted development rights, compulsory purchase, legal solutions for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and a wide range of environmental liability matters.
Featured experience
- Hyperscale Data Centre, Hertfordshire – advising on all legal planning aspects of a 4 year project to secure consent for Google's new UK data centre (33 acre site). DACB negotiated a bespoke infrastructure package with the local planning authority to secure outline approval with Section 106; also advising on complex highways/rights of way and enabling infrastructure issues supported by a multi-disciplinary DACB team including property, construction and tax specialists.
- A waste management company, Buckinghamshire - advising on the impacts of the HS2 proposals on its operations. Our advice was instrumental in preparing the case for the relocation of railway sidings away from its site and on to a more environmentally beneficial site. We presented the evidence in the House of Commons on several occasions.
- New Neighbourhood, South Gloucestershire - acted for one of three main developers of the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood area of South Gloucestershire with approximately 5,700 dwellings, c.50 hectares of employment land, open spaces, schools and community facilities. The matter included negotiation and drafting of s.106 Agreement with infrastructure contributions over the course of 25 years and setting up of a steering group comprising the Council and each main landowner to oversee expenditure and delivery of infrastructure by the Council.
Related services
Asset Management
We believe that Asset Management should be treated as a specialist and core pursuit, especially as schemes become more complex in their composition and transaction timetables increasingly demanding.
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Construction and Engineering
We provide a dedicated construction and engineering service to the private and public sectors.
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Investment & Development
We provide a dedicated investment and development service to clients including commercial developers and owner occupiers, funds and financial institutions and the public sector.
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Portfolio Management
We provide specialist portfolio management services and expertise that focuses on fixed fee instructions, volume and project matter management and routine property transactions.
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Property Litigation
We provide specialist real estate litigation services that protect the value of your property assets and reputation.
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Residential Development & Plots
We provide specialist residential development expertise through the full cycle of a residential development, on large estates, garden villages, BTR, student accommodation and retirement living.
Learn moreWhat our clients say
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”Strong on legal understanding of the complexities of planning and compulsory purchase, in particular permitted development issues.
Legal 500 UK 2023 Edition, Planning
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”Very responsive and excellent technical knowledge. Proactive and involved rather than just an add-on to real estate work.
Legal 500 UK 2023 Edition, Planning
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”Very responsive and excellent technical knowledge. Proactive and involved rather than just an add-on to real estate work.
Legal 500 UK 2023 Edition, Planning
Planning and Environment key contacts
Who we are
Why choose DAC Beachcroft?
We’re a broad-based commercial firm serving a wide range of sectors with a strong heritage in insurance,
health and real estate. We combine excellent legal skills and cutting-edge delivery expertise to design
solutions that fit the needs of our clients – often involving clever uses of technology.
Insurance
DAC Beachcroft is recognised as a pre-eminent advisor to the insurance market, and we place a strong emphasis on the long-term relationships we build with you so that we can really add value to your business.
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Health and Social Care
DAC Beachcroft is regarded as market leaders in the provision of corporate, commercial and regulatory legal advice to healthcare providers.
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Real Estate
With 170 lawyers we are one of the largest Real Estate legal teams in the UK. Our extensive network gives us national, regional and local knowledge and access.
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Financial Services
We regularly advise product designers and manufacturers, trade bodies, and retailers, distributors and venture capitalists looking to invest in the financial services sector.
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Technology
As long-standing and trusted advisers in the technology sector, we deliver pragmatic and innovative solutions that empower you to make informed decisions about how best to maximise your success.
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Industry Specialisms
We combine our in-depth sector knowledge with astute commercial awareness and global reach.
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