Howes Percival has been ranked third in Planning Resource’s annual national survey of the leading planning law firms and practitioners, with five of the firm’s experts singled out in the rankings, more than any other law firm.
The team has moved up from 10th in last year’s survey while the firm’s Jamie Childs has risen from joint 15th last year to become the joint third highest-rated planning solicitor in the country. Jay Mehta is ranked 8th, Bethany Boucher 14th, and Paul Hunt and Marco Mauro ranked joint 18th.
Planning Resource’s prestigious 2026 Planning Law Survey highlights the solicitors, law firms, and barristers considered to be the leading planning law specialists in the UK. The rankings are based on peer-led interviews with consultants, developers and local authorities who were asked to identify individuals and firms they regard as exemplifying best practice in planning law.
Howes Percival’s planning team predominantly acts for national housebuilders, regional developers, promoters, registered providers, and renewable energy providers across the country. The team advises on all aspects of planning law, from residential and commercial development, to retail, agricultural and renewable energy schemes. The team has developed a specialism advising in relation to large scale residential and commercial led projects across the country, with particular expertise in natural capital, nutrient and water neutrality and overcoming other environmental barriers to delivery.
The team’s recent work includes advising Vistry Group on the delivery of more than 1,000 dwellings in Rother, East Sussex; and acting for land-promotion and development company Axis Land Partnerships for a 1,400-home mixed-use urban extension in Margate, Kent. The team has acted on the development of new settlements and very large urban extensions in Leicestershire and the midlands as well as a further planned settlement in Essex. The team is also advising in relation to an unprecedented level of ‘grey belt’ applications across Essex and the Home Counties - many of
which are likely to be tested through appeal – following publication of the latest National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024.
Howes Percival’s Head of Planning, Jay Mehta commented,
This is an incredible result for the team and the firm as a whole. To be recognised as one of the very best planning law firms in the UK and have five of the UK’s highest rated planning solicitors here is testament to the team and the high-quality of work we have been doing for a number of years, often advising on some of the largest development and infrastructure projects across our regions and beyond.
Our planning law team is part of our firm’s development sector, which remains integral to Howes Percival’s business strategy and has been a focus for many years. We are best placed, through dedicated teams across the Eastern Region, East Midlands and Oxfordshire, to service the needs of our clients throughout the lifecycle of a development project, from land acquisition, planning, construction and plot sales. Our investment in these areas increases year on year as our client base continues to grow.
It is pleasing that we continue to be ranked amongst such esteemed company and we are matching the biggest hitters in the profession. As a team, we thoroughly enjoy what we do and it is a privilege to work with so many brilliant clients and industry professionals from across the sector and nationwide. I am delighted that our team has been recognised in this manner, which is representative of the team’s incredibly hard work and the superb client base we have nationwide. We look forward to continuing the excellent work with our clients and colleagues from the profession over the next year as we further grow and develop our practice area.
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