It's that simple.
planning
Navigating the planning system can be a challenge, particularly where you are trying to push through a project that has attracted opposition or where a proposal that otherwise accords with national and local planning policy looks set to be rejected or saddled with unworkable conditions.
We act for private individuals, landowners, developers, housing associations, commercial enterprises and charitable organisations throughout the UK. We do a significant amount of work in connection with developments in and around Milton Keynes and have an excellent and longstanding relationship with the planning team at Milton Keynes Council.
How we can help
Our lawyers can provide advice on:
- the form and content of planning applications;
- the fairness of planning conditions;
- responding to planning objections;
- appeals against planning permission refusal; and
- post-planning matters and conveyancing work.
Pre-planning advice
Prior to a planning application being submitted, we can support landowners and developers to assess a site’s development potential and to identify any possible development barriers, such as restrictive covenants, public rights of way, access issues and highway concerns, tree protection orders, land contamination issues and indeed any other environmental impact matters.
We can also provide advice on whether a development is inline with the National Planning Policy Framework, together with local and community development plans for the area in which the development is proposed. This includes advice on any ‘material considerations’ that are likely to apply and which may mean that your development could be susceptible to challenge, for example on the grounds of increased traffic and noise pollution or loss of wildlife habitat.
Working alongside the development lawyers in our team, we can also provide advice on promotion agreements, options, conditional contracts, and overage payments.
Planning conditions
Where planning permission is granted, it will usually be subject to conditions, and we can help you to assess the fairness of these.
For larger developments that are likely to have a significant impact on the local community, we can provide specific advice on the form and content of section 106 agreements and also on section 38 and 278 highways agreements.
Post-planning matters
Once planning permission has been secured, the hard work of bringing the development to life will commence and we will be on hand to provide you with ongoing support. This includes providing advice on compliance with planning conditions, responding to claims of a planning breach, making representations to the local authority on your behalf where enforcement action is threatened, applying for a certificate of lawfulness and dealing with other bumps in the road that may be encountered.
Working alongside our construction and conveyancing colleagues, we can also support you with any legal issues that arise during the site assembly and build phase and deal with the onward sale or lease of development property once the project has been completed.
Why choose Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors?
Our property lawyers have a wealth of experience in dealing with planning matters, and a proven track record in helping to find workable solutions to even the most difficult problems.
We work closely with planning consultants, surveyors and project managers and have an established relationship with the planning teams in many local authorities.
The knowledge and skills of our property team are widely acknowledged, including in The Legal 500 where we are ranked as a top tier firm and noted to be well versed in the areas of construction, property investments, planning and property disputes.
To find out more, please call 01908 689314 and ask to speak to, Darren Millis or Richard Willis, or contact us.
You may also like to sign up to receive our newsletter, visit our resource hub or read some of our most recent client testimonials.
What our clients say:
“You made what could have been a complicated and daunting process for us, very smooth and stress free.”
KDK Archaeology Ltd
For more information about how we can help, you can read testimonials from our commercial property clients
Accreditations
The Legal 500: “Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors LLP’s commercial property team is well versed in the areas of construction, property investments, planning and property disputes. Its clients include housing associations and occupiers (landlords and tenants). The practice is headed up by Darren Millis and Richard Willis.”
The Commercial Property Team
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Darren Millis Partner
Commercial Property 01908 689319Darren has over 25 years’ experience in dealing with commercial property work. Darren has concentrated in the last few years on the more complicated land acquisition and development work including: -
Richard Willis Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Property 01908 689315Richard specialises in Property Law, representing clients from small family businesses to large PLC’s’ He also acts for local Councils, Parish Councils, landowners, investors, developers, lenders, Housing Associations and Charities. -
David Barton Consultant
Commercial Property 01908 689395David Barton joined Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors in 2014 along with his planning and property development team from Williams & Company in Ampthill. David is widely known for his expertise in helping farmers, landowners and property developers grow houses on their land. David now assists the team as a Consultant. -
Georgina Page Solicitor
Commercial Property 01908 689361Georgina joined Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors in October 2014 from Williams & Company in Ampthill. Georgina completed the Legal Practice Course at Sheffield University after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a 2:1 in Law (LLB) and qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2020. -
Kerr Clement Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Property 01908 689371Kerr is a senior solicitor and has specialised in Commercial Property since 2000. He has a broad range of experience in most aspects of land law and Landlord & Tenant related matters ranging from High Street leases to the sale and purchase of large industrial premises. -
Simon Parrott Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Property 01908 689374Simon deals with Commercial Property and Business transactions and has many years’ experience in dealing with complex or unusual transactions. In addition, he has dealt with property and commercial disputes for over 35 years and brings that dispute resolution experience to the table when advising clients on their property or commercial transactions.
