Robert Williams

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Robert Williams
Daryl Hughes, Deputy Senior Clerk
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Robert is a public law specialist, with particular expertise in planning and environmental law. He is joint head of the planning team at Cornerstone and is a founding member of Cornerstone Climate.

He has a diverse client base, including private developers and landowners, central and local authorities, public bodies and interest groups, as well as individuals.  He acts across a wide range of forums, including planning inquiries and hearings, Local Plan examinations, select committee hearings, as well as statutory challenges and judicial reviews in the higher courts.

Appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel, he is one of only a small number of planning and environmental specialists trusted to act for Government in its most complex and sensitive cases. He is also one of five counsel selected by the Department for Transport to promote the HS2 Hybrid Bill in Parliament.

Robert has been consistently ranked as a leading junior by the legal directories, where he has been described as “someone that can be trusted; he has the ear of the court” (Chambers 2025), “exceptionally hard-working, collegiate and clever” (Chambers 2024) and a “standout barrister” (Chambers 2023).

Recent cases and inquiries in which Robert has acted include:

Court work

  • Ross v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Renewable Energy Systems Ltd [2025] EWHC 1183 (Admin) – High Court statutory review of permission for a large solar farm, the first case to consider national policy on “overplanting”. Leading Ruchi Parekh.
  • SBGA v Bristol City Council (2025, judgment pending) – The Bristol Zoo JR – Judicial review of the grant of planning permission for the redevelopment of Bristol Zoo. With Micheal Bedford KC. Rob led on the ground of challenge concerning the correct approach to assessing biodiversity net gain.
  • Halton v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2025] J.P.L. 698 – Judicial review of costs decision following a collapsed inquiry, raising a novel point on responsibility for expert evidence. Court of Appeal hearing in November 2025
  • Vistry & Fairfax v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2025] P.T.S.R. 60 – Conjoined High Court challenges to refusals of major Green Belt schemes. Raised important issues concerning the approach to development in the Green Belt, including the meaning of “previously developed land” and how decision-makers are to approach benefits of such schemes.
  • Test Valley BC v Fiske [2024] EWCA Civ 1541 – Appearing on behalf of a local planning authority in the Court of Appeal  concerning grant of permission for a solar park. Clarified the scope of variations that can be made by an application under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Acted for the Borough Council, led by Robin Green.
  • Save Our Southbank v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2024] EWHC 3326 (Admin) – The ITV Building JR – defended the Secretary of State’s grant of permission for redevelopment of ITV Studios on London’s Southbank. Raised novel issues on interpretation of the tall buildings policy in the London Plan. Acted for the Secretary of State, leading Ruchi Parekh.
  • R. (on the application of Friends of the Earth Ltd) v Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero [2024] PTSR 1293 – Challenge to the Secretary of State’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan under the Climate Change Act 2008. Acted for the Secretary of State led by Jonathan Moffett KC.
  • Lullington Solar Park Ltd v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 295 –defended a challenge to refusal of permission for a solar farm. Clarified requirements for considering and assessing alternative sites in solar park schemes. Leading Riccardo Calzavara.
  • Bramley Solar Farm Residents Group v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2024] J.P.L. 576 – challenge to an Inspector’s decision to grant permission for a solar farm, raising wide ranging issues, including the extent to which a scheme can be amended on appeal; the adequacy of consultation; and when consideration of alternative sites is required.
  • Llandaff North Residents’ Association v Cardiff City Council [2023] Env. L.R. 31 – Judicial review of permission for sewerage works to support 5,000 new homes. Established that necessary infrastructure need not always be treated as part of the project for environmental assessment. Acted for the local authority, leading Alex Williams.
  • Leadbetter v Secretary of State for Transport [2023] EWCA Civ 1496 – Challenge in the Court of Appeal to national guidance on kerb heights, supported by charities for the visually impaired. Acted for the Secretary of State.
  • Standard Life Assurance Ltd v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2022] EWHC 2632 (Admin) – Resisted a challenge to planning permission for a major residential development in Bristol, including allegations of inspector misconduct.
  • Norton v Mendip DC v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2022] EWHC 3432 (Admin) – Statutory challenge to adoption of a Local Plan. Notable because of the active role the Secretary of State in a challenge to a development plan.
  • Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government v Ikram [2021] EWCA Civ 2 – Statutory appeal to a planning inspector’s decision to quash an enforcement notice, and grant permission for use of a building as a mosque. The central issues was the extent to which subsequent planning obligations are capable of remedying defects in conditions.

 

Planning appeals

  • Humber Doucy Lane, East Suffolk/Ipswich (2025)– 4-week inquiry into a 660-home cross-boundary scheme, raising complex issues concerning master-planning, replacement of sports provision and adequacy of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). Acted for East Suffolk and Ipswich Councils, leading Lois Lane.
  • Land West of Mill Lane, Braintree (2025) – Multi-day hearing into extra-care development on edge of settlement. Acted for Braintree.
  • Hartnolls Farm, Tiverton (2024)– 2-week inquiry into major mixed-use development on the edge of Tiverton. Acted for developer.
  • Land south of Green Lane, Chesterton (2024) – multi-week inquiry into large residential development. Acted for Wates Developments, co-counsel with Lord Banner
  • Windmill Pub, Croydon (2024) – Hearing into proposed redevelopment of London pub. Instructed by Savills on behalf of developer.
  • Wood Street Village, Guildford (2024) – Five-day inquiry into a proposed major residential scheme in the Green Belt. Appeared for Guildford Borough Council.
  • Land South of Springfields, Braintree (2024) – multi-day hearing into affordable housing exception scheme. Acted for Braintree.
  • Recharge One, South Downs National Park (2023) – Two-week inquiry into a novel EV charging and eco-lodges development in the South Downs National Park. Permission granted despite strong opposition. Acted for the promoter, as co-counsel with Lord Banner

 

Local Plan examinations

  • Uttlesford Local Plan (2025) – for the promoting authority (with James Findlay KC).
  • Horsham Local Plan (2024) – for Wates Developments.
  • Guildford Part 2 Local Plan (2023) – for the promoting authority.
  • Braintree Part 2 Local Plan(2022) – for the promoting authority.
  • Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan (2022) – for the promoting authority (with Wayne Beglan).
  • North Essex Authorities Strategic Local Plans (2020) – for the promoting authorities (with Michael Bedford QC).
  • Guildford Local Plan (2019) – for the promoting authority (with James Findlay QC).
  • Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2019) – for a developer/objector.
  • Nuneaton Local Plan (2019) – for a developer/objector.

 

Climate litigation

Rob’s practice involves a wide range of climate-related matters. In this field he acts for and advises promoters, operators, regulators, and government, both central and local. He is a member of Cornerstone Climate. His experience includes:

  • “Recharge One” – acting for the promoters of an electric vehicle service-station located in the South Downs National Park which is to be powered and heated entirely by biomethane;
  • Promoting HS2 Hybrid Bill in Parliament – HS2 is being designed and built to be the most sustainable high-speed rail network in the world;
  • Large scale on-shore wind-farms – appearing at planning inquiries for promoters and planning authorities in England and Wales;
  • Advising operators – in relation to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme;
  • Restoration obligations – Advising operators and planning authorities in respect of restoration obligations imposed in respect of coal mines (Margam mine, Neath Port Talbot) and oil fields (Wytch Farm)
  • Environmental Judicial Review – Appearing in judicial review and statutory challenges to grants of consent for solar farms (Ross v  Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government; Lullington Solar Park v SSLUHC; Bramley Solar Farm v SSLUHC; Telford & Wrekin Council v SSLUHC; Fiske v Test Valley BC); hydrocarbon exploration (Protect Dunsfold Ltd v SSLUHC); and major-urban extensions (R (Llandaff North Residents’ Association) v Cardiff Council)

 

Expertise

    Robert is exceptionally hard working, collegiate and clever.

    Chambers UK Bar (2024)

    Robert is someone that can be trusted; he has the ear of the court and always adds something to a multi counsel team.

    Chambers UK Bar (2025)

    He is a standout barrister, in terms of his very quick and thorough grasp of the issues, his outstanding work ethic, and his clear, well structured arguments.

    Chambers UK Bar (2023)

    He is one of the best planning appeal barristers I have ever instructed. Particularly impressive in his mastery of the detail of complex planning applications, and willing to argue and win the difficult points.

    Legal 500 (2022)

    My planning junior of preference. Stands out in a crowded field.

    Legal 500 (2021)

About Robert

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