A survey of planning lawyers has revealed a dynamic market-place, with the size of projects, legal costs and the complexity of the system continuing to grow.


Planning magazine's annual survey, based on the votes of lawyers and consultants, rated Michael Gallimore, head of planning at Lovells, as the top solicitor, with Berwin Leighton Paisner the top firm, followed by Eversheds.



Describing the market as 'extremely vibrant', Mr Gallimore said: 'There has been a sea-change over the last ten years, with a move away from green field development to more sustainable projects on brownfield sites.'



Paul Wootton, head of Eversheds' planning group, said the government recognised good planning lies at the heart of economic success and had attempted to simplify the system. 'But ironically, this has had the reverse effect.'



Jonathan Rayner