Career & Experience
James has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious planning matters, with a particular focus on residential development. His expertise includes providing strategic planning advice, negotiating Section 106 and other infrastructure agreements, as well as representing clients in planning appeals, judicial reviews, and statutory challenges. He also offers specialist guidance on the Community Infrastructure Levy and Biodiversity Net Gain.
James’ clients include national housebuilders, housing associations, public bodies, and local planning authorities.
In his spare time, James is a volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust, a charity that supports pet owners who are elderly or terminally ill in caring for their pets.
He enjoys hiking, photography and finds being outside in nature a great way to unwind after the working week.
Work highlights
National housebuilders
- Acting for a national housebuilder on a 1,380-home scheme, including co-working space, gym, cafe, nursery, and a pedestrian cycle route linking the train station and the town centre.
- Acting for a national house builder on a 300-unit scheme, including a care home and securing the provision of suitable alternative natural greenspace.
Biodiversity Net Gain
- Advising a local planning authority on securing habitat enhancements to create registrable biodiversity units to support the delivery of residential development within its area.
Nutrient neutrality
- Advising an affordable housing provider on the reservation of nitrate credits to demonstrate nutrient neutrality in order to secure planning permission for a 100-home scheme in Hampshire.
Local development orders
Advising on significant local development orders for:
- Over 3,500 homes and non-residential floor space including GP surgery, pharmacy, rail halt, park and ride, household waste recycling centre. highways and access, landscaping, pedestrian paths and cycle.
- One million square metres of advanced manufacturing floorspace, up to 750 homes, hotel, nursery and community space.
Planning due diligence
- Led a team to provide comprehensive planning due diligence and support on a series of private equity portfolio acquisitions of single-family housing.
- Coordinated planning due diligence and the preparation of planning reports on two airports.
Accolades
- Member of the Compulsory Purchase Association

Career & Experience
James has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious planning matters, with a particular focus on residential development. His expertise includes providing strategic planning advice, negotiating Section 106 and other infrastructure agreements, as well as representing clients in planning appeals, judicial reviews, and statutory challenges. He also offers specialist guidance on the Community Infrastructure Levy and Biodiversity Net Gain.
James’ clients include national housebuilders, housing associations, public bodies, and local planning authorities.
In his spare time, James is a volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust, a charity that supports pet owners who are elderly or terminally ill in caring for their pets.
He enjoys hiking, photography and finds being outside in nature a great way to unwind after the working week.
Work highlights
National housebuilders
- Acting for a national housebuilder on a 1,380-home scheme, including co-working space, gym, cafe, nursery, and a pedestrian cycle route linking the train station and the town centre.
- Acting for a national house builder on a 300-unit scheme, including a care home and securing the provision of suitable alternative natural greenspace.
Biodiversity Net Gain
- Advising a local planning authority on securing habitat enhancements to create registrable biodiversity units to support the delivery of residential development within its area.
Nutrient neutrality
- Advising an affordable housing provider on the reservation of nitrate credits to demonstrate nutrient neutrality in order to secure planning permission for a 100-home scheme in Hampshire.
Local development orders
Advising on significant local development orders for:
- Over 3,500 homes and non-residential floor space including GP surgery, pharmacy, rail halt, park and ride, household waste recycling centre. highways and access, landscaping, pedestrian paths and cycle.
- One million square metres of advanced manufacturing floorspace, up to 750 homes, hotel, nursery and community space.
Planning due diligence
- Led a team to provide comprehensive planning due diligence and support on a series of private equity portfolio acquisitions of single-family housing.
- Coordinated planning due diligence and the preparation of planning reports on two airports.
Accolades
- Member of the Compulsory Purchase Association