Harriet Townsend

Harriet has nearly 20 years’ experience as a planning lawyer and advocate and her clients include private developers, planning authorities, local interest groups and individuals.

Harriet takes a close interest in the case from her first instruction, and will advise clients in preparation for, and throughout the conduct of appeals whether they are determined by inquiry, by hearing, or on paper. She takes the same approach to statutory appeals and judicial review in the higher courts. She is often brought into a case at an early stage and this can help to deliver an appropriate consent, while minimising objection and legal challenge.

Harriet has acted for those promoting and resisting housing and retail schemes, heritage proposals, and economic development of various kinds (including leisure development and tourist accommodation). Recent inquiries have involved issues of housing land supply, affordable housing, and the appropriate use of planning obligations, as well as economic development and major mixed use proposals. Further details can be found under relevant sub-practice area headings and under “Cases”.

Harriet has promoted several Development Plans, most recently the Mid Suffolk Stowmarket Area Action Plan, which is an ongoing instruction, in which issues of conformity and Strategic Environmental Assessment, have been raised.

Harriet has acted for Claimant and Respondent to High Court planning injunctions – and has particular recent experience of the High Court’s contempt jurisdiction for non compliance with an injunction (a case which is ongoing and which involves a large scale waste disposal exercise).

Harriet has extensive and recent experience of gypsy site provision as promoter, objector, and local authority.

Harriet advises on and deploys human rights arguments where appropriate in all her cases, and continues to take an interest in the Government’s Climate Change policy agenda.

Harriet is a popular and frequent speaker at planning seminars and has provided training to local authorities preparing for the introduction of CIL.