London office advises on hat-trick of planning permissions

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has successfully advised on and helped secure planning permissions for three projects for London developers.

The planning permissions for three new developments at 9 Parkway in Camden, 36-46 Albert Embankment in Lambeth and 239 Horn Lane in Ealing were issued shortly before the New Year.

Norton Rose Fulbright completed planning obligations and secured the permissions before the 1 January 2024 annual BCIS Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) index came into effect, saving clients over £1m in CIL collectively.

• 9 Parkway - Norton Rose Fulbright advised on the scheme, negotiated a s.106 planning obligation, and secured planning permission for the erection of a mansard roof extension, alongside two to three storey rear extensions, which will include landscaped terraces. The building work will change the current use of the building from an office on the upper floors to provide aparthotel accommodation with ancillary office space. Because the scheme was located near an existing music venue, which initially opposed the scheme, as well as engaging agent of change principles, Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers had to adapt and advised the developer on the challenges presented.
• 36-46 Albert Embankment - The development site is currently an office building, forecourt and petrol station. The planning permission secured by Norton Rose Fulbright’s planning team will see the redevelopment of the petrol station and forecourt to deliver an 872-bed hotel in two linked towers of 26 and 29 storeys, and an extended and refurbished office building. The team advised on all aspects of the project from initial strategic advice, advice on the planning application, on phasing, highway consents and CIL, as well as negotiating conditions and a s.106 obligation, to enable planning permission to be granted. The site has many variables, which the developer needed legal advice to navigate, including: a narrow site, viewable from the World Heritage Site of Westminster and being flanked by an elevated railway.
• 239 Horn Lane - Norton Rose Fulbright secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the site, which is currently a builders’ merchants, to be regenerated into a mixed-use development of 185 self-contained residential units with provision of a new builders’ merchant on the ground floor. The redevelopment will include facilities and amenities, for example: hard and soft landscaping works, car and cycle parking, and means of access for pedestrians and vehicles. Norton Rose Fulbright provided strategic legal advice on all aspects of the planning application and negotiated the conditions and s.106 obligation. The site is flanked by rail infrastructure and the application received objections from rail undertakers which the planning team advised on and ultimately resolved.

The multi-disciplinary team at Norton Rose Fulbright was led-by Partner and Head of Planning Sarah Fitzpatrick and Senior Associate Carina Wentzel. They were supported by the wider planning team at the firm, which included Associates Giulia Barbone and Alysha Patel.

Sarah Fitzpatrick commented: "All three planning permissions provided their own unique set of challenges. I am extremely proud that we collectively saved our clients over £1m in CIL. This is not just about financial prudence; it's a testament to our commitment to maximising value and efficiency. We empower our clients to allocate resources where they matter most, fostering sustainable growth and development within our communities."

Echoing Sarah’s comments, Carina Wentzel said: “Securing planning permissions in urban areas, such as with these three projects, isn't just about physical changes; it's about shaping the future landscape of our communities and providing great spaces to work and live."

The lawyers who comprise Norton Rose Fulbright’s global planning team have extensive experience of guiding clients through sometimes complex and costly planning regimes, along with advising on legal risks.