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Portrait ofChristopher Bowes

Christopher Bowes

Partner

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
1-3 Charter Square
Sheffield
S1 4HS
United Kingdom
Languages English

Chris is a Partner in our planning practice with more than 20 years' experience of advising public and private sector clients on a wide range of planning issues.  Chris has particular expertise in town centre regeneration, EIA development and compulsory purchase. He also advises on the planning aspects of major infrastructure projects, residential developments, as well as minerals, energy and waste projects.  Chris has a particular interest in HS2.

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"Chris is very commercially minded and client-focused, wanting to find a solution to complex and often challenging issues."

Chambers, 2024

"Christopher is very pragmatic and commercially focused."

Chambers, 2024

"He always puts in the time and effort beyond what is expected and is a joy to work with."

Chambers, 2024

"…Christopher Bowes has ‘sound knowledge of the area, is thorough and gives pragmatic advice’ across a broad range of sectors including minerals, waste, infrastructure and commercial developments. The practice, which has ‘exceptional strength in depth’, recently advised the North York Moors National Park Authority on a planning agreement for a deep mine proposal, and assisted Whitemoss Landfill with a DCO for a new hazardous waste site."

Legal 500

“Christopher Bowes’ practice covers an array of planning matters, from major infrastructure projects, to town centre regeneration, to minerals planning. One client enthuses: "He looks from a number of different angles and is always very responsive and responds very ably."

Chambers and Partners

Chris has been repeatedly ranked in the list of Leading Planning Solicitors in the UK

Planning Magazine Planning Law Survey 2017

Relevant experience

  • Various clients on the impacts of HS2.
  • Acting for the developer and promoting authorities in connection with several town centre/regeneration proposals.
  • Various mining companies on matters relating to mineral development including surface mine proposals and restoration proposals.
  • Various energy businesses on planning applications and appeals for both renewable and conventional energy projects.
  • Several clients on Development Consent Orders and Transport Works Act Orders relating to light and heavy rail infrastructure, energy, ports and hazardous waste projects.
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Memberships & Roles

  • Compulsory Purchase Association (CPA)
  • National Infrastructure Planning Association (NIPA)
  • CBI Minerals Group
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Education

  • 1995 – Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Nottingham Law School
  • 1994 – Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School
  • 1993 – BA, Exeter University
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Feed

06/02/2024
Discussing Dennis: Breaking into planning jail - A new JR ruling on the...
Another case has recently emerged on the vexed question of the compatibility of subsequent planning permissions for development on the same site.  In R (Dennis) v London Borough of Southwark[1], (“Den­nis”)...
04/09/2023
Planning conditions vs permitted development rights relevant to changes...
SummaryThis Law-Now considers a recent case which addressed the circumstances in which the range of uses allowed by Class E could be limited by a planning condition which restricted the use of premises...
25/08/2023
Real Estate
Compliance with procurement law (and subsidy control rules) is key to successfully structuring these projects. The procurement basis for these schemes varies, but usually involves having to navigate the complex and sometimes inconsistent case-law derived from the current set of procurement regulations.  While most of main concepts remain unchanged, some of the more detailed provisions in the new Act may make it easier to navigate public procurement rules. In considering the impact of the new Act on the Real Estate sector, our insights will consider some of those specific features of the new rules, including:The definitions of a “public contract” and “works”;Ex­emp­tions for the acquisition of land and build­ings; Dir­ect award justifications and requirements to compete sub-contracts; andThe rules applying to the modification of public contracts.
26/06/2023
Our Mining & Mineral Practice
Sector-focused legal advice for the full lifecycle of your mining project From preliminary negotiations with government bodies to secure crucial mining titles, through to project development, financing...
01/09/2022
CMS strengthens Planning offering with key partner appointment
International law firm CMS is bolstering its Planning practice with the appointment of David Hardy as a partner in its Sheffield office. Dually qualified as a barrister and solicitor, David joins CMS...
02/02/2021
Webinar: Planning reform in the North: Levelling up or doubling down?
The CMS Planning Team and independent planning consultancy Quod will discuss the changes to the Use Classes Order and the General Permitted Development Order, and the impact the changes could have in...
12/01/2021
Consultation on Permitted Development (“PD”) rights to change from Class...
The Government is consulting on the introduction of a new PD right to allow the change of use from commercial, business and service uses (Class E) to residential uses (Class C3) in England. The consultation...
16/07/2020
Government introduces new permitted development right for two-storey extension...
The Government has introduced a new permitted development right (“PD Right”) for upwards extensions of existing blocks of flats. These extensions will now benefit from “automatic” planning permission...
09/06/2020
Where do we go from here?
The publication provides thoughts and insights into how development and planning in areas like housing, offices and care homes are likely to be drastically altered as a result of the Covid 19 pandemi...
28/01/2020
Court rules that unincorporated associations – including neighbourhood...
Overview In Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum v Leeds City Council, it was found that an unincorporated association, in this case a neighbourhood forum, has capacity to bring both a judicial...
02/08/2019
Court of Appeal rules that Reserved Matters Approval can be amended by...
The Court of Appeal, in R (on the Application Of Fulford Parish Council) v City of York Council [2019] EWCA Civ 1359, has confirmed that the statutory power under section 96A of the Town and Country Planning...
10/07/2019
Compulsory Purchase, Crossrail and the Crichel Down Rules - When to assume...
The Court of Appeal has provided some useful guidance on the interpretation of the Crichel Down Rules (the “CD Rules”) in Charlesworth v Crossrail Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1118. The CD Rules apply where...