020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591 London | Birmingham | Cardiff
Richard Ground QC is a specialist in planning, administrative and public law.
He has a particular strength in appearing in long and complicated planning inquiries and High Court challenges. Richard has been recognised by the UK legal directories and Planning Magazine annual survey to be one of the leading practitioners for many years.
Richard specialises in planning, compulsory purchase, environmental, local government, highways, housing and property including village and town greens.
In practice he has been recommended as a leading barrister for a number of years in both Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and Planning Magazine. He specialises in planning, compulsory purchase, environmental, local government, highways, housing and property including village and town greens.
He has appeared in many very significant planning inquiries and have a particular expertise in appearing in infrastructure and housing cases. He has expertise in enforcement matters and regularly appears on behalf of my clients in the High Court at Inquiries and Informal Hearings.
His approach is to ensure that he has the correct paperwork in a logical form with a contents list and then usually to have an initial conference with clients to advise and then, if appropriate, work out the best strategy for resolving the issues and agreeing the next steps.
He has worked under direct access both for one-off advice and fully fledged Inquiries.
Planning - "He's a very good advocate for local authorities at planning inquiries and comes across in a very authoritative way." "Richard is always meticulously prepared, careful and considered, and incredibly affable." "He is absolutely excellent on appeal preparation and getting a professional team aligned on their thinking." Chambers and Partners 2022
Planning - "Richard advises with clarity and speaks with authority as an advocate." Legal 500 2022
"Richard is extremely thorough, making sure he understands and interrogates all salient issues from the start from a case." "He is an excellent leader and team player. He engages with technical consultants and shows great interest and full insight into these technical areas." Chambers and Partners 2020
Richard's "representation of the case was faultless and extremely professional".
"Richard got the absolute best out of our witnesses."
"During the inquiry I was proud to be part of the team; this was down to [Richard's] organisation, management and presentation of our case."
"It would have been extremely difficult to navigate this matter without your expertise and cool handling of the Inquiry procedure. Thanks."
Planning - "Extensively experienced in planning inquiries, both major and local, and also an expert in village greens, local government and environmental law. His areas of excellence include infrastructure disputes, enforcement actions, heritage matters and cases involving Green Belt developments. Strengths: "I've been impressed by his approachability and his ability to pick up on the detail." "He has a very good delivery and is a great adviser." Chambers and Partners 2021
"Excellent command of complex detail. Engaged and enthusiast, creating a strong team ethos. Strong sense to commitment to the cases. Respectful and encouraging of expert witnesses. Hard working and able to motivate strong performance from team as a whole. Good humour contributing to high morale. Polite and incisive cross-examination." Legal 500 2021
"Richard is extremely thorough, making sure he understands and interrogates all salient issues from the start from a case." "He is an excellent leader and team player. He engages with technical consultants and shows great interest and full insight into these technical areas." Chambers and Partners 2020
"An outstanding advocate – very sharp and extremely thorough, with an excellent eye for detail." The Legal 500 2020
"He was good-humoured and supportive with the ability to put our witness team at ease while ensuring strong performances from the team." "He is very approachable and has an excellent manner with clients. His advice is clear and concise. He cares about his clients and is always trying to get them the best outcome." Chambers and Partners 2019
"He is an experienced advocate and inspires confidence in the team he leads." The Legal 500 2018
"His greatest strength is his ability to motivate and give confidence to everyone involved in the team. he works extremely hard and his energy, enthusiasm and drive enable a hige amount of work to get done to the highest standard in accordance with the deadlines." "Richard is very client-friendly engaging and calm. His advice in conference is always clear and concise, and clients are impressed by his quick grasp of the issues." Chambers & Partners 2018
"Very thorough, but approachable and refreshingly informal when it's appropriate." "He has a great understanding of the facts and interpretation of the law." Legal 500 2017
"He's a very good judge of situations and he's very sensible. One of those people you instinctively trust." Chambers & Partners 2017
"On the ball, extremely professional, and very well prepared." Chambers & Partners 2017
"Excellent in guiding the team to a well thought-through strategy." Legal 500 2016
"He just feels like part of your team; he is superb." Chambers & Partners 2016
Richard is "praised for his clear thinking in complex cases and for his ability to offer robust practical advice", including his "no-nonsense efficient advocacy". Chambers adds that "he wins the client's confidence absolutely". Chambers & Partners 2015
Richard "punches above his weight and really impresses with his thoroughness". Legal 500 2015
Richard specialises in planning, compulsory purchase, environmental, local government, highways, housing and property including village and town greens.
He has been recommended as a leading barrister for planning for a number of years in Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and Planning Magazine.
Richard has appeared in many very significant planning inquiries and has a particular expertise in appearing in infrastructure and housing cases. He has expertise in enforcement matters and regularly appears on behalf of clients in the High Court at Inquiries and Informal Hearings.
Richard's practice involves advising and appearing on behalf of numerous public bodies and applicants on all aspects of judicial review.
He has developed high level expertise in this area and a detailed tactical understanding of the process of bringing and defending judicial review claims.
Examples of recent work include advising on judicial review of decisions to grant planning permission, several judicial reviews concerning local authority highway powers and a threatened judicial review of a major property transaction.
Recent examples of cases include the following:
Richard's practice involves giving regular advice on powers, duties and functions of local authorities in cases concerning planning, highways, statutory interpretation, regulatory law, the environment, racial discrimination, property, consultation, local government wellbeing powers and human rights.
His busy practice covers all aspects of judicial review and has enabled him to develop a high level of expertise and tactical understanding of bringing and defending judicial review claims.
Examples of recent work are two judicial review cases in relation to highway powers and defending a threatened judicial review of a local government property transaction.
In property matters he has dealt with cases involving questions of easements, restrictive covenants, rights of way and highway points. An example concerning adverse possession and highways was the Court of Appeal R (on the application of Smith) v Land Registry and Cambridgeshire [2011] QB 413 where he appeared for the highway authority. He has built up a particular expertise in village greens and has sat as an inspector in many highly controversial cases, appeared for objectors and for applicants. He has dealt with many property matters in connection with planning inquiries.
Richard has advised and appeared in numerous cases on housing matters including housing allocations, section 204 appeals and interim relief hearings. In addition he has appeared in many planning inquiries concerning a whole range of housing issues. He has appeared for numerous local authorities and others in landlord and tenant matters.
2nd January 2020
Collaborated with the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting (ICLR) in the development of Leading Planning Cases, an important reference book designed to assist the Planning Court by consolidating cases that are frequently cited in planning claims.
1st January 2009
Contributor to Burnett-Hall on Environmental Law (2nd Edition) Richard Burnett-Hall and Brian Jones), Sweet & Maxwell, published in 2009 and chosen to contribute to the 3rd Edition.
Richard lectures for CLT and the Local Government Group in planning.
Case: Planning and Environment
28th September 2021
Richard Ground QC and Ben Du Feu have assisted together to win the Manor Oak Homes inquiry and secure planning permission for up to 150 homes at Didcot. The Decision letter....News: Planning and Environment
Cornerstone Planning Day 2021 - Tickets available
20th September 2021
The Cornerstone Planning Team is delighted to host its annual planning conference on Monday 8 November at Royal College of Surgeons of England. Aimed at planning specialists, solicitors, and policy makers, this....Case: Planning and Environment
11th March 2021
Introduction 1. The Court of Appeal's judgment in Bramshill v SSHCLG [2021] EWCA Civ 320 addresses the interpretation and application of policies in the National Planning Policy Framework ("NPPF") against the....Case: Planning and Environment
Significant new decision on the meaning of RBKC’s new affordable housing and Housing Supply policy
17th November 2020
Richard Ground QC appeared instructed by Savills in an important case which dealt with the correct interpretation of the new affordable housing policy and housing supply policy in Royal Borough....Case: Planning and Environment
22nd September 2020
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an objector’s challenge to the grant of planning permission by Suffolk County Council for a school in Lakenheath in Gathercole v Suffolk County Council....Case: Planning and Environment
Court of Appeal granted permission to challenge Neighbourhood Plan on all grounds
30th June 2020
The Court of Appeal has granted Lochailort Investments Ltd permission to appeal against the judgment of Lang J in Lochailort Investment Limited v Mendip District Council [2020] EWHC 1146 (Admin).....Case: Planning and Environment
31st March 2020
Following a four-week Public Inquiry in 2018, on 19 July 2019 the Secretary of State had dismissed appeals by the developer Starbones Limited against the decision of the London Borough....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: Planning and Environment
Planning Judicial Review via Skype
25th March 2020
On 24 March 2020, Richard Ground QC and Ben Du Feu appeared in one of the first remote substantive hearings in the Planning Court. The case was heard by Lang....Case: Planning and Environment
First Appeal permitted for co-living scheme
27th February 2020
Richard Ground QC was instructed by Savills to appear for the appellant at the hearing of this first successful co-living appeal. This was a 121 unit scheme in Feltham. Co-living is....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Chiswick Curve: Secretary of State rejects proposal for tallest building in West London
23rd July 2019
After a four week call-in inquiry held in June and July 2018, the Secretary of State (SoS) by letter dated 19 July 2019 has dismissed an appeal proposing a landmark....Case: Planning and Environment
Secretary of State confirms that town centres are the first port of call for main town centre uses
3rd October 2018
The Secretary of State has agreed with the recommendation of his Inspector to refuse permission for an over 50,000 square metres retail led expansion to an out-of-town shopping centre known....Case: Planning and Environment
9th August 2018
On 6 August 2018, the Secretary of State rejected his Inspector's recommendation and granted outline planning permission for the development of a new mixed-use neighbourhood with up to 800 dwellings,....News: Planning and Environment, Licensing, Local Government
21st May 2018
By Ben Du Feu In the last year, Cornerstone's leisure team has been instructed in numerous high-profile cases, including the re-opening of the world-famous London club Fabric; Uber's legal challenge against....Case: Planning and Environment
High Court declares registration of school playing fields in Bristol unlawful
3rd May 2018
In R(Cotham School) v Bristol City Council [2018] EWHC 1022 (Admin.) the High Court was asked to consider whether Bristol City Council had acted unlawfully by departing from the recommendation....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: 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
Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) decided council not ransomed by shooting rights
5th December 2014
Wednesday 3rd December 2014 saw the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) decide that the Acquiring Authority should not pay a ransom value for the shooting rights at a site they acquired for a replacement cattle market in Monmouthshire, Wales.
....News: Planning and Environment
Court rulings send framework signals
4th August 2014
This article appeared in Planning Resource (subscription needed) on 25th July 2014. Several recent High Court cases involving housing proposals have considered the interpretation of paragraphs 14, 47 and 49 of....Case: Planning and Environment
Pinewood Studios And Major Housing Development
25th June 2014
An Important Week for the Green Belt: Pinewood Studios and Major Housing Development The Secretary of State issued two major Green Belt appeal decisions on consecutive days last week. They provide important....Case: Planning and Environment
Secretary Of State Refuses Permission For 750 Houses In Green Belt
20th June 2014
The Secretary of State refused permission for one of the most substantial proposals around London of 750 houses. Richard Ground appeared for Basildon and Mark Lowe QC appeared for the....Case: Planning and Environment
Inspector Dismisses Appeals Over East Devon Homes
10th April 2014
A planning inspector has rejected three out of four appeals against a council's refusal of plans for nearly 300 homes in East Devon. The homes were all proposed around the village....Case: Planning and Environment
Challenge to Bristol Rovers move away from Memorial Ground rejected
21st March 2014
The Administrative Court, sitting in Bristol has rejected an application to quash planning permission for
....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
R (Oao Trashorfield) V Bristol [2014] EWHC 757 Admin
5th March 2014
Richard Ground together with James Findlay QC appeared for Bristol resisting the judicial review. The Council's grant of planning permission which facilitated a £200m regeneration project was successful. It involved....Case: Planning and Environment
Chalvedon Hall 750 House scheme
16th February 2014
This was a proposal for 750 houses in Green Belt in Basildon. Richard Ground was against Mark Lowe QC. Decision awaited.....Case: Planning and Environment
16th February 2014
4 conjoined inquiries for substantial housing proposals of 235 houses. Richard Ground appeared for local planning authority who were successful in 3 out of 4 cases.....Case: Planning and Environment
16th January 2014
170 House scheme. Substantial 2.5 week inquiry involving issues including detailed design issues, 5 year supply and effects on grade 1 listed building. Richard Ground appeared for successful planning authority.....Case: Planning and Environment
Bathside Bay Container Terminal and The Felixstowe South Reconfiguration
1st January 2014
Selected to appear as junior counsel with Timothy Straker QC for Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited and others at the 2 major infrastructure inquiries in 2004. Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited are....Case: Planning and Environment
11th October 2013
Important points of interpretation of sequential test for retail in out of centre case with bulky goods type condition. Against Paul Tucker QC. Richard Ground appeared for successful planning authority.....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Save V Sheffield City & Anr [2013]EWCA Civ 1108
16th July 2013
Major university development with build cost of £81m. Five QCs in case. Richard Ground together with James Findlay QC appeared for Council resisting judicial review of their decision to grant....Case: Planning and Environment
New Romney Village Green Inquiry
16th July 2013
Substantial village green inquiry where Richard Ground appeared for the successful landowner on an allocated housing site.....Case: Planning and Environment
16th June 2013
Substantial housing inquiry for 340 houses in Monmouthshire. Richard Ground appeared for the successful planning authority. Case involved questions of sustainability and prematurity. Morag Ellis QC for developer.....Case: Planning and Environment
Ottery St Mary Planning Inquiry
28th November 2012
130 house scheme inquiry against Ian Dove QC. ....Case: Planning and Environment
Long v Monmouthshire & Optimisation [2012]EWHC 3130
20th November 2012
Challenge to a planning permission involved habitats regulations and EIA points. National media including tv feature on countryfile. See full text of case....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review
Long V Welsh Ministers & MCC [2012] AllER 183
16th November 2012
Challenge to a decision of the Welsh Ministers. Novel case on exercise of powers under section 58 LG Wales Act 1994. John Steel QC, Clive Lewis QC and James Maurici....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review
Monmouthshire County Council upholds permission for superstore
9th November 2012
Richard Ground appeared for Monmouthshire County Council in successfully defending their decision to grant planning permission for demolition of an existing cattle market and construction of a Morrisons superstore and....Case: Planning and Environment
East Devon Major Housing Schemes In Tipton St John, Feniton And Ottery St Mary
21st July 2012
These were 3 significant inquiries into major housing schemes in East Devon. They were the largest inquiries this Council have faced. It involved significant evidence about the land supply in....Case: Planning and Environment
Crystal Palace High Court Challenge [2013] Env LR 5
16th June 2012
This was a High Court Challenge into the over £68m rejuvenation of Crystal Palace Park. The most significant park improvements ever to go through the planning inquiry system. The case....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
16th May 2012
The Case was a significant proposal to move the cattle market to a new site out of Abergavenny. The challenge was to the grant of planning permission for a new....Case: Planning and Environment
Louvigny Close Planning Inquiry
16th May 2012
Substantial Housing Scheme against Paul Tucker QC. ....Case: Planning and Environment
Housing development on a reserve site refused on appeal
20th February 2012
A planning appeal was dismissed in Canterbury City Council for a housing development on a reserve site. The developer challenged the five year housing supply position which was unsuccessful and the....Case: Planning and Environment,
9th February 2012
On 9 February 2012 the Secretary of State refused permission for a major Energy Recovery Facility at Twinwoods Business Park Bedfordshire. The decision considered the IPC's development consent granted to....Case: Planning and Environment
Twinwoods Energy From Waste Proposal
1st February 2012
This was a Secretary of State Inquiry into a a major appeal into an energy from waste proposal. Richard Ground appeared for the waste planning authority. Their decision to refuse....Case: Planning and Environment
Canterbury City Council Puffin Road
1st February 2012
This was a planning Inquiry involving detailed scrutiny of the the housing land supply in Canterbury City Council was examined. Richard Ground appeared for Canterbury City Council. Their refusal of....Case: Planning and Environment
Conservation Area Enforcement Notice
1st December 2011
Appeal Against Conservation Area Enforcement Notice and planning appeal. Highly controversial case and one of the very few examples of conservation Area Enforcement Notice being served and subject to Inquiry.....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review
Bibb V Bristol City Council [2011] EWHC 3057 (Admin)
24th November 2011
Reported case of such high profile it led the national press. The opening of the shop had "caused" a riot. Richard Ground appeared for the Local Planning Authority. The permission....Case: Planning and Environment
1st November 2011
Proposal for enlarged glass diamond shaped building on Brompton Road. Involved detailed evidence on conservation areas, light effects and residential amenity. Designed by Ken Shuttleworth. Richard Ground appeared for Local....Case: Planning and Environment,
1st June 2011
Appeared in a major energy from waste proposal through gasification Inquiry for the Waste Planning Authority in summer 2011. The decision is linked to the Covanta IPC decision.....Case: Planning and Environment
Pincents Hill Major Residential Proposal 2011
1st June 2011
Proposal for 750 houses and related development. Appeared for Local Planning Authority. The case had major landscape and housing supply issues.....Case: Planning and Environment
1st May 2011
Substantial planning appeal into proposed "underground" five star hotel in green belt. Against Russell Harris QC.....Case: Planning and Environment
1st March 2011
Certificate of lawful use inquiries. This case concerned appeals into 3 certificate of lawful use applications.....Case: Planning and Environment
Enforcement notice appeal in Wycombe
1st March 2011
Enforcement notice appeal in case that had previously been challenged.....Case: Planning and Environment
1st February 2011
Enforcement notice appeal relating to chalet caravan. This was enforcement notice appeal. The decision was quashed in the High Court.....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Property
Smith V Land Registry And Cambridgeshire CA [2011] QB 413 [2011] 1QB 413
10th January 2011
Court of Appeal case where Richard Ground appeared for the Highway Authority. It was a claim for adverse possession of a highway and involved detailed consideration of the aphorism "once....Case: Planning and Environment
Legal And General Crowthorne Site
1st January 2011
Advising and acting for Legal & General , instructed by Berwin Leighton Paisner , promoting an outline planning consent for mixed use development scheme on an unallocated brownfield site of....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment
Crystal Palace Park Masterplan
1st December 2010
This was a significant inquiry into a suite of proposals for the regeneration and rejuvenation of Crystal Palace Park and the National Sports Centre. Richard Ground appeared for the promoters....Case: Planning and Environment
R(on the application of Smith) v Land Registry and Cambridgeshire [2009] EWHC 328 (Admin)
1st January 2009
Appeared for the Highway authority in this case which concerned adverse possession of a highway. The Highway authority were successful at first instance and the case is due to be....Case: Planning and Environment
Howbury Park Railfreight terminal
1st January 2007
He appeared for Bexley Council in this application for 198,000 m² (2 million square feet) of warehouses, and accompanying rail freight infrastructure in 2007. It was an application for the....Case: Planning and Environment
Wokingham District Local Plan/ New Settlement Housing Inquiries
1st August 2000
Appeared for a major party in the joined Wokingham Local Plan Inquiry and three called-in housing applications for 2,500 houses. Leading council and junior represented four of the parties. It....Case: Planning and Environment
West Dorset District Council Local Plan
1st January 2000
Advocate for the Council in all the formal and semi-formal sessions at the Inquiry which ran under the transitional regime and has been adopted.....Case: Planning and Environment
Major Hotel and Casino Project in Guildford
1st January 2000
He appeared for the developer of a substantial £50m hotel and leisure and entertainment complex including a casino proposal in the centre of Guildford. The case involved complicated flooding, planning....Case: Planning and Environment
1st January 2000
He was instructed by the local planning authority to oppose the development of a 376 bedroom hotel proposed by Schroder Exempt Property Unit Trust. The case concerned complicated Highways evidence....Case: Planning and Environment
Cambridge City Council Local Plan Inquiry
1st January 2000
Conducted advocacy for the City Council for the Inquiry run under the transitional regime which ran to time and has been adopted.....22nd September 2020
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an objector’s challenge to the grant of planning permission by Suffolk County Council for a school in Lakenheath in Gathercole v Suffolk County Council....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
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