07 05 2025
Grey Belt: policy guidance and appeals seminar
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Christopher was called to the Bar (Lincoln's Inn) in November 1994 and he was appointed King's Counsel in March 2013. He joined Landmark Chambers in 2007.
For nearly 30 years, he has specialised in Town and Country Planning, Compulsory Purchase, Environmental and Infrastructure Law, acting principally for developers, landowners and scheme promoters.
For over 25 years, Christopher's practice been dominated by the promotion of major housing schemes across the country, at section 78 and local plan. These include past and present promotion of 2,000 houses at Sayers Common, 1000 in Cambridge, 4,500 in the Wirral and many schemes of around 100-500 units taking advantage of para 11 of the NPPF.
Christopher has a recognised expertise in the issues of housing, five year land supply, local plan and neighbourhood plan matters. At Dawlish he defeated the first ever neighbourhood plan to reach examination. His case Woodcock Holdings v SSCLG represents a milestone case in the approach to the then para. 14 of the NPPF. He regularly appears for landowner and developer interests in promoting strategic sites through the Forward Planning System, and advises developers from application stage through to appeal and, if necessary, the High Court.
His clients include many of the Country’s largest house-builders: Barratt/David Wilson, Berkeley Homes, Crest Nicholson, Persimmon, Croudace, Gleeson Developments, Wates and Rydon Homes among others and for specialist age-restricted and retirement living providers. He also regularly acts for landpromoters, landed estate and landowners directly promoting their own sites. His work with the King’s Foundation and the 'Build Better Build Beautiful Commission' gives him an insight into the government’s ‘beauty agenda’ and landowner legacy scheme and Design Coding. He advises the HBF, Create Streets and other NGOs.
Town centre regeneration CPOs and retail work has encompassed protecting and extending retail landownership for major investor/owners across the country. More broadly, he advised Jeremy Clarkson on planning issues related to 'Diddly Squat Farm' appearing in "Clarkson Farm, Series 2".
Christopher was a founder member of the Compulsory Purchase Association, wrote the PEBA Consultation response to the IPC/DCO process in the 2008 Act and has been involved throughout his practice in significant infrastructure promotion. This has included hybrid bill (Central Railways), TWA (eg the Second Tyne Tunnel; the £500m Mersey Gateway Bridge), and conventional planning and highways CPO.
He is used to working with and leading large multi-disciplinary consultant teams. He has a particular aptitude for understanding and leading detailed and technical environmental evidence and takes obvious relish in the opportunities presented by cross-examination.
Regularly instructed to promote strategic sites through the Forward Planning System, from Reg 18 to Reg 19 and LP examination.
Advises HBF on Water Neutrality and promote major schemes against Water and Nutrient Neutrality objections.
Significant green belt promotions for Landowners at Local Plan and S.78 levels.
Former Chairman of The Georgia Group, acknowledged expertise in heritage issues and policy tests.
The majority of Christophers work is in front of a planning inspector: Legal 500 & Chambers and Partners repondees praise his skill in this forum.
A significant part of Christopher's practice for the last 25 years has been the promotion of residential schemes of s.78 and local plans.
Central Railways [Hybrid Bill]
Mersey Crossing [TWO]
2nd Tyne Tunnel [TWO].
Christopher has a significant practice in energy, waste, minerals and commercial operations.
He has particular expertise in matters concerning European protected sites, advising developer interests in respect of habitats, species, nutrients, neutrality and off-setting. Since 2021, he has become acknowledged as a leadership expert in nutrient and water neutrality and HRA matters. He advises the Home Builders Federation on the issue of water neutrality, as well as advising major developers, landowners and local planning authorities on neutrality and water neutrality. He won the appeal which led to the 'CG Fry' litigation on HRA and condition in 2024 promoted 1000 dwellings for Barratt David Wilson in Cambridge (Darwin Green) and Crest Nicholson in Horsham (Kilnwood Vale).
Acknowledged expertise in recreation, air quality and nutrient impacts on Habitat Sites.
Advises HBF and landowners, occasionally LPAs on nutrient and water neutrality.
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Qualified mediator.
Clients love him, inspectors love him, judges love him."
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07 05 2025
Grey Belt: policy guidance and appeals seminar
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