Tom Cosgrove KC is a leading planning and public law silk. He was appointed silk in 2017, and is ranked in Band 1 for planning by Chambers UK Bar. Since April 2020 he has been Joint Head of Chambers at Cornerstone. In 2020 he was elected as a Governing Bencher of the Inner Temple. In July 2024, he was elected as Chair of the Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA).
His work covers a broad range of areas and developments including retail, energy, heritage, commercial, employment, residential and leisure proposals, nationally significant infrastructure projects and judicial review/statutory challenges. He is regularly instructed by leading house builders, retailers, private companies, planning authorities, public bodies and interest groups throughout the country.
He advises clients on all aspects of planning and public law and has been involved in major public inquiries for the last 20 years addressing issues of housing, heritage, retail development and employment land use. During 2013 and 2014 he was instructed to advise and appear in relation to one of the largest inquiries ever to take place in the UK. More recently, he has appeared at examinations in relation to nationally significant infrastructure projects, numerous local plan examinations, and acts regularly at major high-profile inquiries for developers and local authorities relating to residential/mixed use proposals.
In 2021 and 2023 Tom was shortlisted for Environmental/Planning Silk of the Year by Chambers and Partners. He is a member of Cornerstone Climate, our centre of excellence for climate litigation.
He has been consistently listed over several years in the legal directories of leading barristers where he is noted as being “a superb silk for planning matters” (Legal 500). In Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 publications he is described as having a “masterful appreciation of the key issues” and as being “extremely effective in presenting the case” with “incisive in cross-examination”. He “provides fantastic, clear and concise advice and is really great with clients.” Most recently, in the 2025 editions of Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, he is described as “super articulate” and “an excellent advocate in court”.
Tom aims to provide an unstuffy, focused approach that understands his clients and their needs, providing them with clear and comprehensible advice.
He was the general editor of the first edition of Cornerstone on the Planning Court and regularly writes articles and delivers seminars on aspects of planning law.
Beyond planning, Tom takes a keen interest in legal education and issues relating to diversity, recruitment and training for barristers generally. He was a Member of the Bar Standards Board Professional Conduct Committee (2013-2017) and was an Advisory Board member for TWLL (2018-2020 – Transforming Women’s Leadership in the Law programme, run by Thomson Reuters). He is currently a member of the Inner Temple scholarships and outreach committee and acts as a mentor for student applicants seeking to pursue a career at the Bar as part of the Inner Temple Mentoring Scheme. In February 2023, Tom was appointed a Chair of the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service’s disciplinary panel.
Expertise
- Planning and Environment
Tom Cosgrove KC is a highly sought after Planning and Environment law specialist, ranked in Band 1 for planning by Chambers UK Bar. Described as a “superb silk for planning matters” (Legal 500 2021), he has appeared in numerous major planning inquiries acting for both the private and public sectors. He also regularly appears in the Higher Courts in leading planning cases. Tom was shortlisted for Environmental/Planning Silk of the Year by Chambers and Partners, in 2021 and 2023.
His work covers a broad range of areas and developments including retail, energy, heritage, commercial, employment, residential and leisure proposals, nationally significant infrastructure projects and judicial review/statutory challenges. He is regularly instructed by leading house builders, retailers, private companies, planning authorities, public bodies and interest groups throughout the country. Recent clients have included Redrow Homes, Gladman, Barratt Homes, CBRE, Barton Willmore, Planning Potential, Boyer Planning, Hunstowe Land, Ashill, Rischo Leisure and Savills. He has also acted for local planning authorities throughout the country including recently South Oxfordshire DC, NE Derbyshire, Tendring DC, Milton Keynes, Mid Suffolk DC, Tonbridge and Malling BC, Guildford and Uttlesford DC.
He has extensive and highly sought-after experience of taking high-profile development projects through the planning process from conception to completion, providing strategic, legal and tactical advice.
He advises clients on all aspects of planning law. He is regularly involved in numerous major public inquiries addressing issues of housing, heritage, transport-related and retail development. He has extensive experience in the field of renewable energy developments. He has advised in relation to several of the most significant renewable development proposals in England and Wales. During 2013 and 2014 he was instructed to advise and appear in relation to one of the largest onshore wind farm inquiries ever to take place in the UK, the Mid Wales conjoined Planning Inquiry.
More recently he has acted successfully at inquiries for developers and local authorities in several major residential proposals in the South East of England, for a London Local Planning Authority in the Court of Appeal and advised a number of leading private developer clients in relation to the strategic options available for land uses of various sites in the green belt. In addition, Tom successfully overturned a High Court decision on behalf of Mid Suffolk District Council in one of the most important Court of Appeal planning cases in relation to interpreting policy of recent years.
- Inspector dismisses appeal against refusal of permission for 124-unit residential scheme on allocated site in setting of Guildford Cathedral28 May 2024
- Court of Appeal to consider approach to planning applications relating to exploration for and production of hydrocarbons14 May 2024
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Ben Du Feu represent Secretary of State in High Court AONB hydrocarbon case20 Jul 2023
- Court of Appeal emphasises distinction between the interpretation and application of planning policy31 Oct 2022
- CoA continues to grapple with nuances of planning policy interpretation and application19 Oct 2022
- Land East of Highwood Quarry, Park Road, Little Easton19 Jul 2022
- Controversial housing proposal on allocated site dismissed on appeal due to heritage harm with a costs award made against the appellant11 May 2022
- Very Special Circumstances justify Major Residential development in the Green Belt28 Sep 2021
- Inquiry in South Oxfordshire – Land at Lady Grove, Didcot27 Aug 2021
- Green Belt Inquiry in North Hertforshire – Ashill Land Ltd27 Aug 2021
- Inquiry concerning Cross-boundary Development Known as South West Milton Keynes concludes28 Jun 2021
- ‘Out-of-date’ assessments can be site specific, Holgate J confirms16 Feb 2021
- Noise and Heritage Concerns lead to Dismissal of Appeal13 Jan 2021
- Successful residential inquiry for Hunstowe Land Ltd26 Nov 2020
- Ministerial Statement allowing three years supply upheld at inquiry06 Nov 2020
- Full costs award secured for Redrow Homes on appeal01 Dec 2019
- Runnymede Local Plan01 Nov 2019
- Planning Inquiry – Newport01 Sep 2019
- Grange Road, Lawford Inquiry01 Aug 2019
- Uttlesford Local Plan01 Aug 2019
- Tom Cosgrove QC is acting for Abbey Land Developments Ltd and Gladman Development Ltd16 May 2019
- Tom Cosgrove QC is acting for Redrow Homes Ltd16 May 2019
- Planning permission secured for Copella Fruit Juice production facility in the AONB02 May 2019
- London drones and planning: what does the future hold?13 Mar 2019
- Interpretation of housing strategy and land supply policy in national and development plan policy upheld02 Jan 2019
- Highways England’s new statutory powers and duties in the spotlight16 Nov 2018
- North East Derbyshire Local Plan13 Nov 2018
- Runnymede Local Plan 2030 hearings11 Nov 2018
- Neighbourhood Plan upheld and ‘valued’ landscape recognised18 Jul 2018
- Wycombe Local Plan01 Jul 2018
- Chinnor Conjoined Planning Inquiry01 Jun 2018
- Major mixed use proposal refused on employment land despite lack of housing supply29 Mar 2018
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project refused by Government01 Jan 2018
- High Court rejects judicial review challenge by the French Government01 Jan 2018
- Residential Scheme In West Sussex Considered At Inquiry [2014]01 Jan 2018
- Stratford Upon Avon Core Strategy Examination – January 201501 Jan 2018
- Garreg Lwyd Wind Farm [2014]01 Jan 2018
- French Government bring judicial review in the Planning Court01 Jan 2018
- Coggeshall Co-Op Inquiry [2012]01 Jan 2018
- Springfield Road Inquiry, Surrey [2012]01 Jan 2018
- Podington Wind Farm Inquiry, Bedford [2012]01 Jan 2018
- Easton Farm Glasshouse Inquiry, West Sussex [2012]01 Jan 2018
- Land at Wexham Street Inquiry South Buckinghamshire [2011]01 Jan 2018
- Planning Court Quashes Grant of Residential Planning Permission after Council failed lawfully to address issues of noise and heritage01 Jan 2018
- R V Kensington & Chelsea London Borough Council, Ex Parte Lawrie Plantation Services Ltd, House Of Lords (1999) 1 WLR 1415 : (1999) 3 All ER 929 : (2000) 79 P & CR 467 : (1999) EGCS 100 : Times, July 12, 199901 Jan 2018
- Community Wind Farm Appeal Refused Because Of Heritage Impacts01 Jan 2018
- Nun Wood Wind Farm Inquiry [2011]01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers acts for successful local authority in securing the rejection of four onshore wind farms after Wales’s longest ever planning inquiry01 Jan 2018
- Nyton Road Inquiry – Planning Permission Secured On Appeal For Large Scale Residential Scheme01 Jan 2018
- Tesco Inquiry, Ashtead, Surrey [2010]01 Jan 2018
- Downsview Nursery Inquiry, West Sussex [2010]01 Jan 2018
- Boundary Hall Site Inquiry, Hampshire [2011]01 Jan 2018
- Royal Borough Of Kensington & Chelsea V Secretary Of State For Communities & Local Government [2010] EWCA Civ 146601 Jan 2018
- Inspector upholds a disaggregated approach to housing land supply and neighbourhood plan policies in dismissing planning appeal01 Jan 2018
- Community Wind Farm And Heritage Impacts – Roseland Windfarm, Derbyshire [2014]01 Jan 2018
- Residential Inquiry In Surrey – Site Not Sustainable Because Of Flood Risk [2014]01 Jan 2018
- TRL site Inquiry, Crowthorne, Berkshire [2009]01 Jan 2018
- Former Huyck site Inquiry, Kent [2009]01 Jan 2018
- Chilton Inquiry (Ref: APP/V3120/W/16/3153209)01 Jan 2018
- Land North off Ryme Road, Yetminster Inquiry (Ref. No. APP/F1230/W/16/3145484)01 Jan 2018
- Mid Wales Conjoined Planning Inquiry [2013-14]01 Jan 2018
- Bedford BC V Secretary Of State For Communities And Local Government [2013] EWHC 2847 (Admin)01 Jan 2018
- Village Green Inquiry – Land At Walton, Essex [2013]01 Jan 2018
- Requirements of Circular 05/05: Planning Obligations01 Jan 2018
- East Hagbourne Inquiry – January 201701 Jan 2018
- Planning Inquiry – Land off Brewer Close, Vale of White Horse – Housing and flood issues01 Jan 2018
- Inquiry relating to land east of new road, East Hagbourne01 Jan 2018
- Enforcement Appeal Inquiry-Mole Valley DC01 Jan 2018
- Planning inspector refuses permission for 21 hectares of glasshouses: Economic growth does not trump environmental harm under NPPF01 Jan 2018
- Government nuclear policy and Nuclear Inspectorate concerns considered by Secretary of State in Call In Planning Decision01 Jan 2018
- Mid Sussex District Plan Examination hearing01 Jan 2018
- R. (on the application of Hill) v Cornwall Council [2016] EWHC 1264 (Admin)01 Jan 2018
- R (on the application of Jacqueline Tratt) v Horsham DC (Defendant) & Hutchinson 3G UK LTD (Interested Party) [2007] EWHC 1485 (Admin)01 Jan 2018
- Secretary of State grants permission for a landmark sustainable development in Ashford, Kent01 Jan 2018
- Former Powergen Site Inquiry, Ashford [2008]01 Jan 2018
- Bedford Windfarm proposal dismissed on appeal01 Jan 2018
- Government nuclear policy and Nuclear Inspectorate objections considered at Call In Inquiry01 Jan 2018
- CABI International Inquiry01 Jan 2018
- Court of Appeal considers planning challenges by the French Government01 Jan 2018
- Court of Appeal clarifies law relating to certificates of lawfulness of proposed use or development01 Jan 2018
- Obar Camden Ltd v Camden LBC [2015] EWHC 2475 (Admin)01 Jan 2018
- Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council v Highways England – Judicial Review01 Jan 2018
- Challenge to Port of Liverpool road bypass given permission to proceed01 Jan 2018
- Tom Cosgrove KC Highlights Challenges and Opportunities in Government’s Planning Reforms06 Nov 2024
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Lois Lane speaking at PEBA’s student event: “How to Make a Career at the Planning & Environmental Bar”.09 Oct 2024
- Tom Cosgrove KC appointed Chair of the Planning and Environment Bar Association (PEBA)10 Jul 2024
- The Return of Onshore Wind09 Jul 2024
- Planning Law Survey 2024: 12 members of chambers highly rated by Planning Magazine28 Jun 2024
- Inquiry on 124-unit residential scheme on allocated site in setting of Guildford Cathedral to close25 Mar 2024
- Cornerstone Barristers achieves record results in Chambers UK Bar Directory 2024 for Planning and Environment24 Oct 2023
- Cornerstone Barristers ranked as a leading set by Chambers & Partners 202419 Oct 2023
- Cornerstone Planning Team recommended as a leading set for planning in The Legal 500 2024 guide05 Oct 2023
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Ruchi Parekh are shortlisted at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 202311 Sep 2023
- Planning Law Survey 2023: Seven members of chambers highly rated by Planning Magazine16 Jun 2023
- Brislington Meadows Inquiry concludes after three weeks of evidence15 Mar 2023
- Tom Cosgrove QC, Ashley Bowes and Ben du Feu have been elected or co-opted onto the Planning & Environment Bar Association (PEBA) committee19 Jul 2022
- Tom Cosgrove QC to speak at the PEBA National Conference on the 27 June 202219 May 2022
- Cornerstone Planning Day 2021 – Tickets available20 Sep 2021
- Thomas Cosgrove QC Shortlisted in The Chambers UK Bar Awards 202127 Aug 2021
- Tom Cosgrove QC appointed as a Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple29 Jul 2020
- Zoom webinar – Planning Case Law Review27 May 2020
- Planning Law Survey 2020 – Barristers at Cornerstone among the “most-admired”30 Mar 2020
- Chambers and Partners Guide 202001 Nov 2019
- Training for the Inspectorate01 Oct 2019
- Four Cornerstone members to start the examination into the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan16 May 2019
- Interpreting planning policy: a judicial plea for simplicity and an end to excessive legalism that is likely to fall on deaf ears’: J.P.L. 2019, 5, 444-455.26 Apr 2019
- Planning Inspectorate Training04 Dec 2018
- Planning Inquiry – Appeal by Gallagher Estates Ltd Land off Kennylands Road, Sonning Common: Appeal reference: APP/Q3115/W/17/318339116 Apr 2018
- Local Government Lawyer – Book Review – Cornerstone on the Planning Court01 Jan 2018
- The Planner – DECC rejects NSIP wind farm in Wales01 Jan 2018
- Solicitors Journal – A long and winding road in Wales01 Jan 2018
- Local Government Lawyer: Winds of change in Wales01 Jan 2018
- Tom Cosgrove speaks at 2013 Surrey Planning Officers Seminar01 Jan 2018
- Planning Court Upholds rare refusal of NSIP01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers announces three new silks01 Jan 2018
- The Cornerstone Planning Team goes from strength to strength01 Jan 2018
- Journal of Planning & Environment Law01 Jan 2018
- Silk Day 201701 Jan 2018
- ‘Valued’ gap landscape protected from housing despite absence of 5 year supply01 Jan 2018
- Estates Gazette – Pyrrhic victory for French in battle over Foxtons founder’s basement01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Annual Planning Day01 Jan 2018
- Planning Magazine: The Planning Law Survey 201501 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone on the Planning Court29 Oct 2015
- Cornerstone Climate
Tom is a member of Cornerstone Climate, our centre of excellence for climate litigation. He has extensive experience in the field of renewable energy developments. He has advised in relation to several of the most significant renewable development proposals in England and Wales. For almost a decade (until policy changes bringing a moratorium to onshore wind proposals were introduced) Tom was involved in numerous and highly controversial onshore wind farm inquiries throughout the country as well as many solar farm proposals. During 2013 and 2014 he was instructed to advise and appear in relation to one of the largest onshore wind farm inquiries ever to take place in the UK, the Mid Wales conjoined Planning Inquiry.
Since taking silk, Tom has continued to be involved in leading renewable projects and provides expertise in climate change issues often concerning the various residential and other development proposals he advises on. He is currently advising on several energy and climate change related projects and is due to appear in the High Court and at Inquiry in relation to them during 2023/4. In 2021 and 2023, Tom was shortlisted for Environmental/Planning Silk of the Year by Chambers and Partners.
- Court of Appeal to consider approach to planning applications relating to exploration for and production of hydrocarbons14 May 2024
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Ben Du Feu act for the Secretary of State in dismissing statutory challenge against hydrocarbon exploration13 Oct 2023
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Ben Du Feu represent Secretary of State in High Court AONB hydrocarbon case20 Jul 2023
- ‘Out-of-date’ assessments can be site specific, Holgate J confirms16 Feb 2021
- Public Law and Judicial Review
Tom is a leading KC with a busy practice covering all aspects of judicial review and related statutory challenges that has enabled him to develop a high level of expertise in this area. He is editor and co-author of a leading work on the use of court procedures and public law challenges in the Planning Court. He regularly acts for public bodies defending judicial review claims as well as for claimants in making applications and interested parties. Much of his planning work involves public law challenges in the High Court or Court of Appeal and he has appeared in a number of significant cases dealing with the scope of such challenges.
Tom’s broader public law work involves a detailed understanding of the powers and functions of public bodies and he enjoys an extensive range of experience within this field. He has advised and/or appeared in matters relating to statutory interpretation, regulatory law, the environment, medical registration, disciplinary proceedings, employment, racial discrimination, consultation requirements, local government powers, licensing and human rights.
- Court of Appeal to consider approach to planning applications relating to exploration for and production of hydrocarbons14 May 2024
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Ben Du Feu represent Secretary of State in High Court AONB hydrocarbon case20 Jul 2023
- Court of Appeal emphasises distinction between the interpretation and application of planning policy31 Oct 2022
- ‘Out-of-date’ assessments can be site specific, Holgate J confirms16 Feb 2021
- Grange Road, Lawford Inquiry01 Aug 2019
- Planning permission secured for Copella Fruit Juice production facility in the AONB02 May 2019
- Highways England’s new statutory powers and duties in the spotlight16 Nov 2018
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project refused by Government01 Jan 2018
- R V Kensington & Chelsea London Borough Council, Ex Parte Lawrie Plantation Services Ltd, House Of Lords (1999) 1 WLR 1415 : (1999) 3 All ER 929 : (2000) 79 P & CR 467 : (1999) EGCS 100 : Times, July 12, 199901 Jan 2018
- General Chiropractic Council v Blokland & Clarke [2011]01 Jan 2018
- R v London Borough of Merton ex parte Sembi [2000] 32 HLR 439; (1999) COD 417 : Times, June 9, 199901 Jan 2018
- East Hagbourne Inquiry – January 201701 Jan 2018
- R. (on the application of Hill) v Cornwall Council [2016] EWHC 1264 (Admin)01 Jan 2018
- Mayor & Burgesses of The London Borough of Camden v Mallett (Michael), Mallett (Sarah) [2001] 33 HLR 204, LTL 17/3/2000 Court of Appeal01 Jan 2018
- Court of Appeal considers planning challenges by the French Government01 Jan 2018
- Court of Appeal clarifies law relating to certificates of lawfulness of proposed use or development01 Jan 2018
- Obar Camden Ltd v Camden LBC [2015] EWHC 2475 (Admin)01 Jan 2018
- Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council v Highways England – Judicial Review01 Jan 2018
- Tom Cosgrove KC Highlights Challenges and Opportunities in Government’s Planning Reforms06 Nov 2024
- Tom Cosgrove KC and Lois Lane speaking at PEBA’s student event: “How to Make a Career at the Planning & Environmental Bar”.09 Oct 2024
- The Return of Onshore Wind09 Jul 2024
- Philip Coppel QC and Tom Cosgrove QC succeed as Joint Heads of Chambers01 Apr 2020
- Four Cornerstone members to start the examination into the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan16 May 2019
- The Planner – DECC rejects NSIP wind farm in Wales01 Jan 2018
- Tom Cosgrove speaks at 2013 Surrey Planning Officers Seminar01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers announces three new silks01 Jan 2018
- Journal of Planning & Environment Law01 Jan 2018
- Silk Day 201701 Jan 2018
- Planning Magazine: The Planning Law Survey 201501 Jan 2018