Michael Bedford

Michael has been shortlisted for the Chambers Bar Awards 2011 as Environment/Planning Junior of the Year.

Michael Bedford’s planning work covers a wide range of environmental law issues, including the Main European Directives. He has advised on and been involved in co-ordinating many EIA projects. He also advises on SEA and AA requirements.

Michael has a substantial Inquiry based practice but also deals with a wide variety of legal challenges to planning and environmental decisions (both statutory appeals and judicial review). His clients include house builders, retail developers, institutional investors, landowners and local planning authorities and his practice includes all areas of planning (including highways and compulsory purchase).

Michael appeared in Save Historic Newmarket Ltd v Forest Heath District Council [2011] EWHC 606 (Admin) in relation to the SEA of a Development Plan Document.

Michael acted for Octagon Developments in two planning inquiries for residential development within five km of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. Both appeals were allowed, despite objections from Natural England.

Michael also acted for Charles Church Developments promoting a residential development in Wokingham which the Council sought to oppose in part because of a claimed effect on an area of woodland it was seeking to have added to the Thames Basin Heaths SPA. The appeal succeeded and an award of costs was made against the Council.

Michael has recently advised on the operation of the EIA regime in relation to the stalled review of ROMPS for large scale minerals operations.