Recognised as leading Planning Law solicitors

Holmes & Hills’ team of Planning Law solicitors has been recognised as one of the ‘leading’ teams of experts in this specialist field of law by Chambers & Partners.

The independent directory of the UK’s top law firms has recognised Holmes & Hills’ Planning & Development Team, led by Steven Hopkins (Partner), for its expertise in Planning Law for a third consecutive year, commenting:

"It's the depth and breadth of knowledge that individually and collectively they and the firm possess. They seek solutions and not just the identification of problems."

Each year publishers of the Chambers & Partners directory undertake extensive research to identify those UK law firms with particular specialist expertise in a wide range of legal disciplines. Holmes & Hills Solicitors’ Planning & Development Team, which now comprises seven Planning lawyers, including one Partner (Steven Hopkins), one Consultant (David Whipps), two Senior Solicitors (Jo Lilliott and Tom McPhie), one Associate of the firm (Mike Harman) and two trainees (Stacey Woolmer and David Sodimu), is one of the largest teams of specialists in the region.

Awarded special mention was David Whipps, previously a Partner and now a Consultant Planning Law solicitor in the team. Chambers & Partners said of David:

"Noted for his ‘vast and practical experience’ David Whipps regularly represents clients in planning inquiries. He is picked out by sources for his knowledge of enforcement appeals and other contentious issues, and one interviewee describes him as ‘an encyclopaedia of planning law.’"

In addition to their recognition by Chambers & Partners, Holmes & Hills’ Planning & Development Team has been ranked as one of the top teams of Planning Law solicitors in the country by Planning Magazine’s Planning Law Survey, a leading industry publication. The survey collates the opinions of planning professionals across the country. Holmes & Hills Solicitors is one of the few firms of solicitors outside of London to be ranked alongside many national law firms. This year was not the first the team was ranked among the best, in fact their ranking improved from 45th in 2015 to 33rd this year.

Holmes & Hills’ Planning solicitors are well known for advising and representing local planning authorities across Essex and Suffolk, as well as developers and land owners. Commenting on services received by the Planning & Development Team, the Planning Manager at Tendring District Council has said:

"The service we have received has always been first rate and very efficient. The advice is sound and easy to understand and it is always easy to get hold of the team to talk over any issues. I would have no hesitation in recommending their services.”