020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591 London | Birmingham | Cardiff
His practice covers all areas of town and country planning, local government law, judicial review, environmental law, infrastructure, highways and compulsory purchase.
He acts for developers, land owners and public sector clients, including via direct access. Recent clients include residential, retail and commercial developers, landowners, local authorities, and private clients.
Michael's practice covers all areas of town and country planning, local government law, judicial review, environmental law, infrastructure, highways and compulsory purchase.
He acts for developers, land owners and public sector clients, including via direct access. Recent clients include residential, retail and commercial developers, landowners, local authorities, and private clients.
He has a substantial Inquiry-based practice, covering a diverse range of development projects (from crèches to cemeteries, via castles and tank farms, together with transport, housing, retail, and employment schemes). He has promoted a large number of development plans and is currently engaged in several Local Plan matters.
He also appears in the Courts, both challenging and defending decisions by local and central government on a wide range of planning, environmental, and highways matters.
Michael's practice embraces large-scale infrastructure projects (including promoting a DCO in Norfolk and several other new roads) and smaller developments in sensitive areas with heritage or environmental constraints.
He is experienced in managing and co-ordinating large teams of expert witnesses and in cross-examining on a wide range of professional disciplines.
Michael Bedford has repeatedly been ranked as one of the Highest Rated Juniors by Planning Magazine. He is recognised by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his expertise in Planning.
Planning - "Possesses extensive experience in planning, and focuses on development plans and regeneration schemes as well as significant infrastructure projects. He is known for his representation of local authorities and regularly accepts instruction in large inquiries and judicial review. Strengths: "Michael is a class act, with good judgement and a nice, understated manner." "He is brilliant with client departments and at providing confidence in his case preparation." Chambers and Partners 2021
"Michael is forensic in his consideration of key risk issues. Expert in consideration of traffic assessments and strategic case making for highways schemes Calm, concise and unflappable in advocacy Written advice is clear, thorough and gets to the nub of the issue with practical advice." Legal 500 2021
"A very charming, effective, very robust advocate." "Michael is extremely thorough and is able to ensure that the whole team know exactly what they need to do for the case in hand." Chambers and Partners 2020
"Incisive and strategic in his thinking." The Legal 500 2020
"He is very calm and considered, very thorough and provides clients with confidence that his advice is well thought through and correct." "A very hard-working silk who has excellent knowledge of the law and is fair and well respected." Chambers and Partners 2019
"He is very experienced in issues relating to infrastructure consenting and roads." Legal 500 2017
"He has a great ability to focus on important details while catering to clients' needs" Legal 500 2017
"Impeccably prepared, calm and unflappable. Quietly brilliant." Chambers and Partners 2017
"Expert on the interface between environmental law and planning, with a focus on larger inquiries." Legal 500 2016
"He has an ability to grasp a complex case with voluminous evidence." "A man of great detail, who is very helpful in terms of providing informal and quick advice." Chambers and Partners 2016
He is "an excellent advocate, unflappable and really adaptable in his style" "and praised for his "strong and decisive opinions". Chambers and Partners 2015
"Excellent at absorbing complex and voluminous material." Legal 500 2015
Michael Bedford has repeatedly been ranked as one of the Highest Rated Juniors by Planning Magazine. He is recognised by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his expertise in Planning. His experience includes:
Planning inquiries
Appearing as advocate for the Appellant or Local Planning Authority at Inquiries concerning housing, employment, retail, waste, renewable energy, hazardous substances, infrastructure, heritage and environmental matters. Recent instructions include:
Development plans
Promoting and advising on a wide variety of Development Plans. Recent instructions include:
Objecting on behalf of landowners and developers to a variety of Development Plans. Recent instructions include:
Planning enforcement
Environment
Michael Bedford's planning and infrastructure 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, including defending legal challenges to development plans on these grounds.
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 Zurich Assurance Ltd v Winchester City Council [2014] EWHC 758 (Admin) in relation to the SEA of a Local Plan and in Abbotskerswell Parish Council v Teignbridge District Council [2014] EWHC 4166 (Admin) in relation to both SEA and AA of a Local Plan.
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.
Compulsory purchase and compensation
Appearing as advocate for Acquiring Authorities in relation to road schemes and urban regeneration projects. Recent instructions include:
Michael has experience in a wide range of property issues relating to the development of land, including restrictive covenants, rights of way and other easements. He has advised on a variety of issues relating to the enforceability and removal of restrictive covenants and relating to the acquisition of easements.
Recent instructions include:
Michael successfully resolved a long-running rights of way dispute through the use of mediation to enable residential development to proceed.
Public rights over land
Michael has acted for landowners and developers in relation to the establishment of and interference with private rights of way.
Recent cases include:
Real estate law
Michael advises on the meaning and enforceability of restrictive covenants, particularly in connection with redevelopment proposals. Recent cases include advising on the enforceability of restrictive covenants within Hampstead Garden Suburb, Newport, and Slough.
1st March 2018
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has nothing to say about diversity. Is it possible then for the planning system to work for all? Michael Bedford QC offers some thoughts.
The article was published in the March issue of The Planner.
1st September 2015
Cornerstone on the Planning Court, the definitive guide to the new Planning Court produced by Cornerstone Barristers, is now available to buy online and in book shops.
Edited by Tom Cosgrove and written by members of the Cornerstone Planning Team, the guide is the first of its kind to analyse the procedures and work of the Planning Court which was introduced in April 2014.
Designed to be practical and accessible, it is the essential reference for all those who are involved in bringing or defending claims in the Court, and those who have an interest in the broad range of claims that now fall within the Court's remit. The guide will be of particular use to those instructing solicitors and barristers in planning related matters such as planning consultancies, development companies, pressure groups and individuals, as well as solicitors, professional planning bodies and local authorities.
Contributors to Cornerstone on the Planning Court include Michael Bedford QC, Josef Cannon, Estelle Dehon, Emma Dring, James Findlay QC, Robin Green, Mark Lowe QC, Jack Parker, Clare Parry, Asitha Ranatunga and Robert Williams.
For further information on Cornerstone on the Planning Court or to purchase a copy, click here.
5th December 2008
Contributor to Burnett-Hall on Environmental Law (December 2008)
23rd August 2007
In partnership with the Institute of Licensing, Cornerstone Barristers has produced a new publication: Gambling for Local Authorities: Licensing, Planning and Regeneration (General Editor: Philip Kolvin).
The book is designed to abbreviate and simplify the new law of gambling. It is intended for easy reading by both officers and members involved in licensing and allied fields such as planning and regeneration. It is the only book which will draw the important links between planning and licensing and which involves experts from across all the relevant disciplines. Writers include Philip Kolvin QC, Mark Lowe QC, Rory Clarke, Michael Bedford, Josef Cannon and Clare Parry.
Other writers include Institute Vice Chair Professor Colin Manchester (Professor of Licensing Law, University of Warwick), Professor Peter Collins (a leading expert in gambling and regeneration), planning expert Andy Arrick of Roger Tym & Partners, Jeremy Phillips (who edits Patersons) and William Hill Chief Executive David Harding. We are hoping that it will become a standard reference work in its field.
We do hope that you will take advantage of this offer before it ends. Further information on the book is set out below, together with an order form.
Click here for further details.
Reviews include:
"An excellent account of the framework of the new Act", and "strongly recommended". Roy Light, a professor of law UWE and a barrister at St John's Chambers, Bristol, writing in Solicitor's Journal
"A testimony to the changed landscape and the lifting of local authority regulation to a higher plane. Wearing the badge of the Institute of Licensing, as it does, this volume is as much an advertisement for the new order as it is a valuable contribution to modern gambling knowledge." The Licensing Review [70], July 2007
"In this timely and extremely important new book, Philip Kolvin and his team cut through this enormous piece of legislation with a light narrative style, incisive comments and useful practical applications. The book is suitable for anyone with any involvement with the new legislation, whether they are from the licensing authority, planning authority, gambling industry or responsible authorities or interested parties. Technical matters are clearly explained, the practical aspects of application and challenge are clarified and the use of the various licences and permissions is detailed and comprehensible. For a book to succeed, it must be both useful and accessible, and "Gambling for local authorities: licensing, planning and regeneration" seems set to succeed on both levels. It is highly recommended." James Button, PH Law
"Kolvin's book provides answers for the many challenges facing local authorities under the new legislation. It is a good advert for the legal profession." Dr. Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies, Nottingham Trent University
He also lectures on a variety of planning and related issues to lawyers and other professionals. He is a member of the Planning & Environment Bar Association and of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.
Case: Planning and Environment, Local Government
26th March 2021
Haughley Park is a Grade I listed mansion in a parkland setting in the countryside to the west of Stowmarket but with "very unusual" addition of a large redundant poultry....News: Planning and Environment
Newly Released: Cornerstone on the Planning Court (Second Edition)
12th March 2021
Today Bloomsbury Professional Law launches Cornerstone on the Planning Court, Second Edition, written by a team of specialist barrister practitioners from Cornerstone Barristers led by Michael Bedford QC (General Editor). This....Case: Planning and Environment
Major New Infrastructure Boost for the East Coast
27th September 2020
On 24 September 2020 the Secretary of State for Transport made the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Development Consent Order 2020, approving a new twin-leaf lifting bridge across the River....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Quarterly Development - Special Edition
13th August 2020
Last week, the Government published the long-awaited White Paper Planning for the Future. In this special edition of the Cornerstone Quarterly Development, the Cornerstone Planning Team presents analysis and comment covering some of....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Advising Planning Committees on the costs consequences of their decisions
16th July 2020
It might be thought prudent - and no more than common sense - that local authorities, as custodians of the public purse, should have regard to the financial consequences of....Case: Planning and Environment
Bats buffered in Devon in the end
12th June 2020
A perennial problem with long-standing projects as they progress through the planning system is whether and when baseline survey information becomes out of date and no longer fit for purpose.....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Barristers Planning Bulletin - Issue 4
1st May 2020
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Cornerstone Planning Bulletin, a digestible summary of planning law and practice to help all those with an interest in the planning system to....Case: Planning and Environment
Long awaited new bridge for Lowestoft gets the go-ahead
30th April 2020
On 30 April 2020 the Secretary of State for Transport made the Lake Lothing (Lowestoft) Third Crossing Development Consent Order, approving the construction of a £90m new lifting bridge across....News: Planning and Environment
Planning Law Survey 2020 – Barristers at Cornerstone among the "most-admired"
30th March 2020
Several members of the Cornerstone Planning Team have been recognised in Planning Magazine's Planning Law Survey 2020. The annual survey reflects the views of over 200 solicitors, consultants, developers and council....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Court of Appeal clarifies St Modwen test for deliverability
13th December 2019
R (East Bergholt Parish Council) v Babergh District Council [2019] EWCA Civ 2200
....Case: Planning and Environment
Green Belt harm in York outweighed by very special circumstances
23rd October 2019
An Inspector has granted full planning permission for 266 dwellings on open land at Boroughbridge Road, York, within the general extent of the York Green Belt, allowing an appeal by....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Local Government
Four Cornerstone members to start the examination into the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan
16th May 2019
The examination into the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan opens next week. Cornerstone Barristers will be assisting a number of the main parties. Michael Bedford QC and Wayne Beglan for Luton Council,....News:
24th November 2017
Every so often a case comes along which settles several points all in one go. R (Harvey) v Mendip District Council [2017] EWCA Civ 1784 is one such. It is....News: Planning and Environment
Budget 2017 - Chancellor unveils planning measures to tackle housing crisis
23rd November 2017
Reforms to encourage housing development were a key part of yesterday's Budget. Important planning reforms were announced, aimed to ensure that land is adequately used to deliver the construction of....Case: Planning and Environment
An End to Interim Planning Guidance?
20th March 2017
Anyone who has looked closely at the Town & Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/767) will know that its distinctions between the categories of LDDs (local development....Case: Planning and Environment
Is there a presumption in favour of sustainable development outside of paragraph 14 of the NPPF?
25th November 2016
Earlier this year the High Court (Coulson J) suggested in Wychavon District Council v SSCLG & Crown House Developments Ltd [2016] EWHC 592 (Admin) that there was a general presumption....Case: Planning and Environment
Beccles Southern Relief Road gets the green light from DfT
8th November 2016
On 31 October 2016 the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed Side Roads and Compulsory Purchase Orders made by Suffolk County Council in relation to the £7m Beccles Southern Relief....News: Planning and Environment
Brexit: Planning and the Environment Outside the EU
6th July 2016
The UK vote to leave the European Union raises significant questions around the potential impact on our domestic legislation. EU law is deeply embedded in our planning and environmental protection regimes.....News:
Local Government Lawyer: Book Review - Cornerstone on the Planning Court
18th May 2016
Local Government Lawyer: Book Review - Cornerstone on the Planning Court
....News: Planning and Environment
Practical Law - A View from the Bar
10th May 2016
Michael Bedford QC, assisted by Gary Dolan, has written an article for the newly launched Practical Law Planning Column "A View from the Bar". In this column, Michael considers whether planning obligations are....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
22nd February 2016
Michael Bedford and Richard Ground have been formally appointed Queen's Counsel following a ceremony at Westminster earlier today. Click here for further information on their appointments. ....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Planning Magazine and Local Government Lawyer - New QC appointments
11th January 2016
Planning Magazine and Local Government Lawyer have both reported on the appointment of Cornerstone Barristers' Richard Ground and Michael Bedford as Queen's Counsel. Richard and Michael are among 107 new....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Barristers announces two new planning silks
11th January 2016
Cornerstone Barristers is pleased to announce that Michael Bedford and Richard Ground are to be appointed Queen's Counsel in the new silk appointments announced on 11th January 2016. Michael Bedford has....News: Planning and Environment
20th October 2015
On Monday 19th October the Cornerstone Planning Team presented a Wales Planning Law Update at our Wales office at One Caspian Point. The day consisted of a morning seminar for Local....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone on the Planning Court
1st September 2015
Cornerstone on the Planning Court, the definitive guide to the new Planning Court produced by Cornerstone Barristers, is now available to buy online and in book shops.
....Case: Housing
Government approves nationally important road scheme
3rd June 2015
The Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR), the first road scheme to be designated under section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 as a project of national significance, has been authorised by the Secretary of State for Transport on 2 June 2015.
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Planning Magazine: The Planning Law Survey 2015
31st May 2015
Cornerstone Barristers is proud to note that 15 members of our Planning Group have achieved rankings in the 2015 Planning Magazine survey of the planning legal profession. James Findlay QC, Mark....Case: Planning and Environment
Norwich Northern Distributor Road DCO Examination ends
5th December 2014
The Examination into the DCO application for the 20 km dual carriageway Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR) ended on 2 December 2014. The NDR is a £149 m highway scheme which will provide connections between the northern radials of Norwich (including the A1067 and the A140) and the A47(T) at Postwick so unlocking housing and employment growth in the northern suburbs and improving the connectivity of Norwich International Airport.
....Case: Licensing, Housing, Property
Bat challenge to housing growth rejected in South Devon
5th December 2014
The High Court has rejected a challenge to the adoption of the Teignbridge Local Plan which promotes substantial housing growth in areas affected by the South Hams SAC, which hosts the largest population of Greater Horseshoe Bats in the UK
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review
Dairy jobs trump landscape and heritage in Wales
5th November 2014
In a much delayed decision the Welsh Minister for Housing & Regeneration has rejected his Inspector's recommendation and granted planning permission for a so-called 'Super Dairy' (accommodating 1,000 cattle) on land at Lower Leighton Farm, Welshpool, Powys.
....News:
Out of Centre Retail Rebuffed in Torquay
17th October 2014
An Inspector has rejected a proposal to allow a vacant out of centre DIY store in Torquay to be used for food retailing by Morrisons on sequential test and impact grounds. The Inspector granted planning permission for the physical conversion works but refused to lift a condition restricting the use of the store to bulky goods/DIY so rendering the permission unimplementable in practice.
....News:
Abbotskerswell Parish Council v Teignbridge District Council [2014] EWHC 4166 (Admin)
27th September 2014
....News: Planning and Environment,
The Solar Farm PPG Sequential Test Bites
3rd June 2014
In one of the first Solar Farm appeal decisions since the issue of the Planning Practice Guidance on 6 March 2014, an Inspector has rejected an appeal by Hive Energy Ltd for a 38 hectare solar park on agricultural land at Tattingstone, Babergh District, Suffolk. This was in part on landscape and visual impact grounds and in part because the Appellant's attempt to justify the use of a greenfield agricultural site as necessary was "far from robust and completely inadequate" and the Appellant's attempt to justify the use of BMV land as the poorer quality land available was "wholly inadequate".
....News: Planning and Environment
Major Road Improvement for Norwich
17th January 2014
The Secretary of State for Transport has made Side Roads and Slip Roads Orders to enable the implementation of the £19 m Postwick Hub Improvement Scheme on the A47 at Norwich. The scheme will unlock employment and housing land at Postwick but was opposed by local businesses and residents because of the extra delays it would cause to existing highway users. After a four week Inquiry held in July 2013 the Secretary of State has accepted the Inspector's recommendations in favour of the scheme in a decision made on 8 January 2014.
....News: Planning and Environment
8th October 2013
The Secretary of State has now redetermined the Barton Farm appeal decision (2 October 2012) and this time has accepted the Inspector's recommendation that planning permission should be granted for the 2,000 dwelling urban extension to Winchester.
....News: Planning and Environment
Are open air changes of use always inappropriate development in the Green Belt?
4th October 2013
The recent decision of the High Court in Fordent Properties Ltd v SSCLG [2013] EWHC 2844 (Admin) has upheld the view of PINS that the NPPF has fundamentally changed Green Belt policy from PPG2, and now makes all open air changes of use automatically inappropriate development (regardless of the specific impacts on openness and Green Belt purposes); simply because open air changes of use are not covered by para 89 of the NPPF (which is limited to built development) and are not listed by name in para 90 of the NPPF.
....News: Planning and Environment
Sainsburys Rebuffed in Saffron Walden
17th May 2012
In one of the first retail appeal decisions to be considered against the NPPF, a Sainsburys scheme for an out of centre foodstore at Saffron Walden has been rejected by an Inspector because of the trading impact on the town centre, and in particular on a planned investment by Waitrose to expand their existing town centre store.
....Case: Planning and Environment
Prematurity rides to the rescue days before the NPPF
23rd March 2012
The Secretary of State has announced his decision on the Hatchfield Farm appeal for an urban extension on the Earl of Derby's land at Newmarket.
....News: Planning and Environment, Housing
Cala Homes Round 4: To be or not to be?
27th February 2012
The latest round of the Cala Homes saga unfolded in Cardiff on Valentines Day when the Secretary of State consented to judgment in the High Court challenge brought by Cala Homes to his dismissal of Cala's planning appeal for permission for a 2,000 dwelling urban extension at Barton Farm, Winchester.
....News: Planning and Environment
Cala Homes Round 3: Localism Rules OK?
30th September 2011
The delayed decision in relation to the Barton Farm planning appeal by Cala Homes was announced on 29 September 2011.
....News: Planning and Environment
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): What it means for you
19th March 2011
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): What it means for you Saturday, March 19, 2011 CIL is set to be an important measure to allow Councils to ensure development can go ...
....News: Planning and Environment
Planning and Local Government issues for Wales
7th September 2009
Planning and Local Government issues for Wales
Monday, September 07, 2009
Chambers was proud to host this essential guide to the latest Planning and Local Government legislative and policy issues affecting Local Authorities at Cardiff City Hall.
....26th March 2021
Haughley Park is a Grade I listed mansion in a parkland setting in the countryside to the west of Stowmarket but with "very unusual" addition of a large redundant poultry....Major New Infrastructure Boost for the East Coast
27th September 2020
On 24 September 2020 the Secretary of State for Transport made the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Development Consent Order 2020, approving a new twin-leaf lifting bridge across the River....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
London: 2-3 Gray's Inn Square, WC1R 5JH
Birmingham: Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall Street, B3 3EW
Cardiff: Falcon Drive, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Mid Glamorgan, CF10 4RU
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