Stuart specialises in planning law. He has around 20 years experience advising on a broad range of planning matters having qualified in 2008. He was identified as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in Legal 500 in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and was one of the top-rated planning lawyers in Planning Magazines survey in 2024, moving into the Top 10 in the 2026 survey. He acts for developers, land owners and investors as well as local planning authorities (having worked in house in both a shared service and a unitary on a consultancy basis).
He is experienced in the full breadth of planning work, from assisting in the strategic promotion of sites through the development process, including judicial review and the enforcement system where necessary. He is also experienced in compulsory purchase and was a member of the Compulsory Purchase Association. He has particular expertise in development work; particularly for housing and shed developers as well as HNW / UHNW individuals(having assisted with the development of property portfolio of a national footballer, the planning appeal for the dreamhouse of another Premier League footballer and the enforcement action at a Euro Millions winners home(after they spent a £ million remodelling the front garden without planning permission) as well as working with an Oscar winner on their home studio).
Stuart is known for making the complex understandable. He has a focus on client needs and the provision of a great service; quality (insightful) legal advice in a timely manner.
Stuart also sits on the Board of Governors for Birmingham City University and is a committee member for the charity Property for Kids.
The bedrock of Stuart's practice is providing the s.106 agreement required to secure the release of planning permission in a timely fashion but other examples of how Stuart has supported clients include:
- Providing strategic planning advice and re-negotiating the s.106 agreement for Graven Hill in Bicester (featured on Grand Designs - The Streets);
- Resolved multiple agent of change agreements in Birmingham City Centre;
- Advising residential property developers in seeking to resolve objections from statutory undertakers in relation to capacity in the network to accommodate their development end users;
- CPO: Stuart has acted for a variety of Claimants including with reference to HS2 and land owner promoters and is experienced in preparing disputed cases to be heard in the Upper Tribunal;
- Provides ongoing advice in relation to the operation of the BNG regulations and advises both developers and landowners in relation to conservation covenants;
- Advising on the precedent from CG Fry in relation to Nitrate Neutrality and more generally individuals and developers on the operation of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations;
- Advising on the precedent from Hillside in relation to the Pilkington Principle and more as to how to preserve and vary a planning permission long term.
- Provided short notice, reactive advice as to the enforcement of planning conditions and obligations.
