FAQs
Town and Country Planning law is a niche and complex area of property law. Since 2011 Fortune Green Legal Practice has given bespoke advice to clients in London and all of England.
As your partner working with you to resolve planning law problems, I can offer almost 20 years of planning law experience, as I worked in-house at a number of local authorities in London and the South East of England for almost a decade before setting up my independent law firm. So when you instruct this law firm, you can be assured that you get impartial and balanced advice on all your planning law questions.
On top of the decades of experience in this area of law. the added benefit you get is my inside knowledge of how councils work, giving a valuable added perspective when you instruct Fortune Green Legal Practice.
A planning solicitor can assist whenever you are in dispute with the Council about a planning matter. This may involve:
- Your own planning application, where the Council is minded to refuse permission
- A neighbouring development you wish to object to because of its potential impact on you or the wider community
- Enforcement action, such as a planning contravention notice or an enforcement notice
In all these situations, a planning solicitor can advise on your options and the best next steps.
Your first 15‑minute consultation is free. This allows us to understand your situation and assess how we can help.
We are transparent about our pricing—no surprises when the bill arrives. Depending on the work involved, we may offer:
- A fixed fee for a specific procedure
- An hourly rate
- A retainer for matters likely to take longer to resolve
Fortune Green Legal Practice does not usually submit planning applications. Planning consultants are generally better placed to prepare and file applications, visit your site, and advise on how to maximise development potential. Architects can also assist with design ideas and drawings.
We work with a trusted network of planning consultants and architects and are happy to make introductions. You can call us on 0203 983 0595 or contact me using this form.
Timeframes vary widely. Some matters can be resolved within weeks; others may take months or, in more complex cases, years. Council response times differ, and delays can occur.
We ensure your matter stays active and does not fall down the Council’s agenda. Often, a single well‑targeted letter or phone call from an experienced practitioner can significantly speed up progress.
If you have received a summons, seek legal advice immediately. Contact us as soon as possible and let us know your court date. We can provide initial advice on your options and, where appropriate, recommend specialist advocates or other experts.
You can read more on our Planning Appeals page here.
A Judicial Review is a legal process used to challenge the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body, such as a local council. It does not decide whether the decision was “right” or “wrong” on its merits. Instead, the court looks at whether the correct legal process was followed, relevant matters were properly considered, and the decision was made fairly and within the public body’s powers. Judicial Review is commonly used in planning cases and must be started within strict time limits.
You can read more on our Judicial Review page here.
The duration of a Judicial Review varies and is largely dependent on court timetabling and judicial availability.
Some cases are resolved quickly, while others take longer to conclude. Costs can vary, but there are fixed court fees and, in many planning cases involving environmental issues, a costs cap may apply. This can limit the amount a claimant may be required to pay if the claim is unsuccessful.
Legal costs should be considered carefully at the outset, and claimants are advised to obtain specialist advice before proceeding.
You can read more on our Judicial Review page here.
A council’s decision to grant planning permission can only be challenged by way of Judicial Review in the Planning Court, which forms part of the High Court. This type of challenge does not reconsider the planning merits of the development. Instead, it examines whether the council acted lawfully and followed the correct process when making its decision. Any claim must be issued within six weeks of the planning decision being formally published.
You can read more on our Planning Appeals page here.
A Section 106 agreement (often called a “planning obligation”) is a legal agreement between a developer and the local planning authority. It is used to make a development acceptable in planning terms by requiring the developer to provide specific contributions or actions.
These may include funding for local infrastructure, affordable housing, highways works, open space, or other measures needed to reduce the impact of the development on the local area.
You can read more on our Section 106 page here.
Section 106 agreements are not normally open to direct challenge by members of the public.
However, they can be challenged indirectly if there are legal grounds to argue that the agreement, or the way it was secured, was unlawful — usually as part of a Judicial Review of the planning permission itself.
Any challenge must be made within strict time limits, and specialist legal advice should be sought at an early stage.
You can read more on our Section 106 page here.
Yes. Although we are based in central London, around half of our cases involve properties outside London. We advise clients across England.
Planning law in Scotland and Wales differs due to devolved government. If your property is located there, we can recommend experienced lawyers who practise in those jurisdictions.
