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Planning

We are one of the largest planning teams in the UK with over 30 specialist lawyers. We are motivated by a passion to help to create exceptional places and environments and deliver essential infrastructure to meet the UK's demographic and development needs.

Planning shapes every aspect of our lives. The buildings and environments in which we live, work, shop, play and educate the next generation have all been created through commercial enterprise, consultation and the exercise of political power by our elected representatives through the planning system.

Alongside our expertise in real estate we are also leading specialists in energy & infrastructure consenting.

Working for many years across a full range of development and infrastructure sectors gives us deep industry experience and perspective so that we can deliver clear and practical advice on fast-moving projects. We have assisted our clients with obtaining planning permissions and other consents for some of the UK’s largest and most complex schemes.

Our expertise spreads across urban regeneration, housing, retail, data centres, industrial and logistics, hotels and leisure, surplus land and energy and infrastructure. Our aim for every development is to ensure that our client obtains implementable, flexible, bankable and fit-for-purpose consents in accordance with their programme.

In the last three years alone, we have helped our clients to secure planning permissions for:

  • Over 24,000 new homes
  • Over 8m sq. ft. of retail
  • Over 6m sq. ft. of offices
  • Over 4m sq. ft. of industrial
  • 10GW / 1,100 Kms of generation / networks
Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "It is a large, strong team that works well together on projects, ensuring that work is dealt with carefully and efficiently."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "CMS have very clear and detailed knowledge of planning arguments, legislation and application."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "The team are very pragmatic, with the ability to take an overarching view across a wider project."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "A technically excellent and professional team."
    Legal 500
  • Quote
    “Clear expertise in their field with a good support network. Their strongest point is that they give very clear advice and do treat the matter personally rather than simply as a remote consultant.”
    Chambers, 2017
  • Quote
    “They made something very complicated and rushed feel easy. They made it as easy as it possibly could be. As a client, I felt it was a great position to be in."
    Chambers, 2016 [Client Quote]

Explore more

The Fingleton Review: what the nuclear overhaul means for planning, environmental assessments and infrastructure reform more widely

30 Mar 2026 5 min read

Raeshaw Farms Limited v Scottish Ministers: A Change of Wind Direction?

20 Feb 2026 5 min read

Did telecom operators occupy as a tenant at will or periodic tenant following expiry of their lease?

17 Feb 2026 9 min read

Repowering UK Onshore Wind: Navigating the Planning and Consenting Landscape

13 Feb 2026 12 min read

Benefit of agreement is sufficient to seek renewal rights under the Electronic Communications Code

05 Feb 2026 5 min read

Scotland's first AI Growth Zone announced: a new era for data centre development in Scotland

03 Feb 2026 6 min read

Key Legal Developments for Real Estate in England and Wales in 2026

21 Jan 2026 1 min read

Data Centres enter the NSIP Regime

16 Jan 2026 3 min read

Events

  • United Kingdom
    08 Apr 2026

    CMS at Fordham IP & Policy Conference

  • United Kingdom
    13 Apr 2026

    Skills for Future Facing Teams: Creating a team culture of coaching and feedback

  • United Kingdom
    16 Apr 2026

    Green claims in focus

  • United Kingdom
    21 Apr 2026

    On the Pulse webinar series 2026 - Spring/Summer

  • United Kingdom
    21 Apr 2026

    Future of Renewables Spring Seminars

  • United Kingdom
    22 Apr 2026

    Sustainable Buildings: Taking the Temperature in 2026

  • United Kingdom
    23 Apr 2026

    ESG: Breaking Down the Buzzword

  • United Kingdom
    28 Apr 2026

    Strategic expansion to India: A new chapter for UK higher education

  • United Kingdom
    28 Apr 2026

    IP Insights webinar series 2026

  • United Kingdom
    29 Apr 2026

    CMS Update Morning: Media, Sports and Entertainment

  • United Kingdom
    02 May 2026

    CMS at INTA 2026

  • United Kingdom
    05 May 2026

    Cross-Border Financial Services 2026 webinar series

  • United Kingdom
    13 May 2026

    2026 ITechLaw World Technology Law Conference in Chicago

  • United Kingdom
    21 May 2026

    Navigating Global Uncertainty: Practical Insights for In-House Teams

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