Practice Summary
Reuben Taylor was called to the Bar by Grays Inn in 1990. He specialises in all aspects of Planning, Environmental, Compulsory Purchase and Compensation Law.
He has developed a particularly strong reputation for dealing with noise, road traffic, air quality and other technical environmental impact issues.
Reuben is listed as a leading junior in planning by the Legal 500 (2011) and Chambers & Partners Directory 2012 (“Always succinct and to the point, he provides an extremely reliable service and excels in technically complicated matters.”)
He has been described by Planning Magazine as respected for his intellect and ability to grapple with technical arguments and as an outstanding junior with excellent client skills. Adept at handling technical aspects of planning and environmental legislation.
Planning
Reuben has a busy Inquiry and High Court practice. Early in his career he helped secure planning permission for the Eton Rowing lake which was the venue for the rowing regatta at London 2012. He represented BAA plc at the Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 inquiry. More recently Reuben had particular responsibility for noise issues acting for the Government on the Crossrail project.
He has a wide client base ranging from local authorities to a number of major national and international developers. His clients include Canary Wharf Group, Tesco, B&Q, Taylor Wimpey plc, Persimmon Homes, Bellway Homes, BAA plc, Transport for London, Eton College and English Heritage.
Other recent cases:
- R. (on the application of McCarthy) v Basildon [2008] EWHC 987 (Admin);
- R. (on the application of Buglife: The Invertebrate Conservation Trust) v Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corp [2008] Env. L.R. 31
- MR Dean & Sons (Edgware) Ltd v First Secretary of State [2007] EWCA Civ 1083
- R. (on the application of Blyth Valley BC) v First Secretary of State [2006] EWHC 3619 (Admin)
- R. (on the application of O’Brien) v Basildon DC [2007] 1 P. & C.R. 16
- R. (on the application of Orange PCS Ltd) v Islington LBC [2006] J.P.L. 1309
- R. (on the application of Cherwell DC) v First Secretary of State [2005] 1 W.L.R. 1128
Environment
Reuben has also established a powerful reputation as an environmental lawyer appearing in the leading case on the meaning of Best Available Techniques within the Pollution Prevention and Control system: R. (on the application of Rockware Glass Ltd) v Chester City Council [2007] Env. L.R. 3.
He also has significant experience in the field of environmental impact assessment where he has appeared in a number of the leading cases including: R v Durham County Council ex p Huddleston [2000] 1 W.L.R. 1484, BAA Plc v Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions [2003] J.P.L. 610 and R. (on the application of Fernback) v Harrow LBC [2002] Env. L.R. 10
Compulsory Purchase and Compensation
Reuben has an established practice in the field of compulsory purchase and compensation law. Most recently he has been involved in Greenweb v London Borough of Wandsworth [2008] EWCA Civ 910 a case which hit the national headlines.
He also secured the compulsory purchase order for the London Array, the worlds largest offshore windfarm.
Qualifications
Inquiries
West End Green
23/10/2007
Having secured planning permission for a 24 story residential tower block and retail supermarket on Edgware Road, London for the client, I advised and represented them in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal following a s288 challenge by Sainsbury’s (a third party at the Inquiry).
Important case relating to the extent to which the Secretary of State has to have regard to alternative designs for development on the same site.
Solicitor: Oliver Wright, Berwin Leighton Paisner
Other Party: Sainsburys Stores Ltd
Inquiries
Secretary of State confirms M4 J11 Orders
31/08/2006
The Secretary of State finally confirmed (1) the Reading Borough Council (M4 Junction 11/A33 Reading to Basingstoke Classified Road) (Side Roads and Other Works) Order 2004, (2) the Reading Borough Council (M4 Junction 11/A33 Reading to Basingstoke Classified Road) Compulsory Purchase Order 2004 and (3) the Reading Borough Council (Land at Whitley Wood Depot, Whitley Wood Road, Reading) Compulsory Purchase Order 2004.
These Orders were promoted by Reading BC to enlarge and modify junction 11 on the M4 and the A33 to ease congestion and provide a better route for public transport. The decision was delayed awaiting funding decisions following inquiry in October 2004.
The Council was advised and represented by David Elvin QC and Reuben Taylor.
Inquiries
Quinn Glass Limited
15/06/2006
Advising and representing Quinn Glass with a view to securing planning permission for the largest Container Glass plant in Europe. Complex case involving the interrelationship between planning and the IPPC procedure, habitats directive, EIA, noise and road traffic issues.
Complex case that is on-going.
Solicitor: Tony Kitson, CMS Cameron McKenna
Inquiries
Reading Inner Distributor Road
10/05/2006
Advising Reading Borough Council in relation to a judicial review of a decision to implement a new inner distribution road for central Reading. Complex case involving a large amount of technical highways evidence.
Case resolved by consent order.
Solicitor: Emrys Parry, Bond Pearce
Other Party: Wokingham District Council
Inquiries
Crossrail Bill (Parliamentary Hybrid Bill proceedings) [from 2004 and continuing]
01/01/2004
I am leading the Counsel team (which comprises two other silks and 2 juniors) which is promoting the Crossrail bill through Parliament for the Department for Transport. We completed Commons Select Committee during 2007, had confirmation of government funding from the Prime Minister in the autumn and will beginning House of Lords Select committee hearings in February 2008. The Bill gives powers for the largest rail project since the Victorian period and will provide a much needed new railway into and through central London from east, west and Kent. It has important implications for the economy of London, the South East and therefore the UK as a whole. It involves a large number of controversial development, compensation and other issues – including noise, settlement, heritage, local communities, transport, and environmental assessment. Property issues are in important issue in terms of acquisition, valuation compensation and settlement negotiations. In addition to appearing in committee, I have been advising Government on the many issues raised by the Bill since autumn 2004 and have been heavily involved in the process since then.
Articles and Presentations
Inquiries
West End Green
23/10/2007
Having secured planning permission for a 24 story residential tower block and retail supermarket on Edgware Road, London for the client, I advised and represented them in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal following a s288 challenge by Sainsbury’s (a third party at the Inquiry).
Important case relating to the extent to which the Secretary of State has to have regard to alternative designs for development on the same site.
Solicitor: Oliver Wright, Berwin Leighton Paisner
Other Party: Sainsburys Stores Ltd
Inquiries
Secretary of State confirms M4 J11 Orders
31/08/2006
The Secretary of State finally confirmed (1) the Reading Borough Council (M4 Junction 11/A33 Reading to Basingstoke Classified Road) (Side Roads and Other Works) Order 2004, (2) the Reading Borough Council (M4 Junction 11/A33 Reading to Basingstoke Classified Road) Compulsory Purchase Order 2004 and (3) the Reading Borough Council (Land at Whitley Wood Depot, Whitley Wood Road, Reading) Compulsory Purchase Order 2004.
These Orders were promoted by Reading BC to enlarge and modify junction 11 on the M4 and the A33 to ease congestion and provide a better route for public transport. The decision was delayed awaiting funding decisions following inquiry in October 2004.
The Council was advised and represented by David Elvin QC and Reuben Taylor.
Inquiries
Quinn Glass Limited
15/06/2006
Advising and representing Quinn Glass with a view to securing planning permission for the largest Container Glass plant in Europe. Complex case involving the interrelationship between planning and the IPPC procedure, habitats directive, EIA, noise and road traffic issues.
Complex case that is on-going.
Solicitor: Tony Kitson, CMS Cameron McKenna
Inquiries
Reading Inner Distributor Road
10/05/2006
Advising Reading Borough Council in relation to a judicial review of a decision to implement a new inner distribution road for central Reading. Complex case involving a large amount of technical highways evidence.
Case resolved by consent order.
Solicitor: Emrys Parry, Bond Pearce
Other Party: Wokingham District Council
Inquiries
Crossrail Bill (Parliamentary Hybrid Bill proceedings) [from 2004 and continuing]
01/01/2004
I am leading the Counsel team (which comprises two other silks and 2 juniors) which is promoting the Crossrail bill through Parliament for the Department for Transport. We completed Commons Select Committee during 2007, had confirmation of government funding from the Prime Minister in the autumn and will beginning House of Lords Select committee hearings in February 2008. The Bill gives powers for the largest rail project since the Victorian period and will provide a much needed new railway into and through central London from east, west and Kent. It has important implications for the economy of London, the South East and therefore the UK as a whole. It involves a large number of controversial development, compensation and other issues – including noise, settlement, heritage, local communities, transport, and environmental assessment. Property issues are in important issue in terms of acquisition, valuation compensation and settlement negotiations. In addition to appearing in committee, I have been advising Government on the many issues raised by the Bill since autumn 2004 and have been heavily involved in the process since then.