Planning specialists anticipate a hike in work due to complex new laws that give the public a greater say on the development of their local area, Planning magazine's annual legal survey has found.

The survey saw City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner retain its place at the top of the rankings, with Herbert Smith jumping four places from last year to take the second spot. Eversheds rose one place to third, followed by SJ Berwin in fourth and Denton Wilde Sapte in fifth.


Paul Winter of Eversheds was ranked as number one in the table of individual planning solicitors; he also topped the table of solicitors as chosen by barristers and came third in the table selected by his peers.


Lovells' Michael Gallimore, last year's most highly rated planning solicitor, fell to second place in the overall table, but was still most highly ranked by his fellow specialists. Simon Ricketts of SJ Berwin was third in the overall list.


Landmark Chambers' Christopher Katkowski QC was the top barrister, followed by fellow silks Keith Lindblom of 2 Harcourt Buildings and Tim Corner from 4-5 Grays Inn Square.


Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, councils must put forward a local development framework detailing their overall planning strategy and how the development fits in with it. Lawyers predicted that the new scheme will cause hold-ups, but lead to a 17% growth in work.