While the aim is always to secure planning consent, there are times when transport issues cannot be resolved through standard negotiations with highway authorities or other stakeholders. In these cases, formal planning or legal processes may be required, including appeals against non-determination, Officer decisions or Planning Committee decisions.
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Beyond appeals, Expert Witness support may also be needed in a range of formal proceedings, including Local Plan Examinations, Compulsory Purchase Inquiries, Judicial Review Proceedings and Highways and Rights of Way Inquiries. Our senior team are professionally qualified and highly experienced, supporting clients through the appeal process from Written Representations and Hearings to full Public Inquiries.
The role of an Expert Witness includes preparing clear, robust Proof of Evidence, both defending and challenging evidence where appropriate.
This evidence is often presented at Hearings or Public Inquiries, where Expert Witnesses explain complex technical issues in a clear and accessible way, helping Inspectors and other participants understand the case.
Working alongside planning barristers, our role is to support a strong, well-evidenced case, while also responding confidently to cross-examination from opposing counsel.
Statements of Common Ground are a key part of the process, allowing our Expert Witnesses to work collaboratively with others to narrow issues, agree facts and resolve matters where possible before an Inquiry reaches its formal sitting.
Our Experts have extensive experience across development projects throughout the UK, working with a wide range of developer clients, across multiple sectors and with various highway authorities, including National Highways.
That experience, combined with strong working relationships, enables open, honest and professional dialogue throughout the planning process. From the outset, we apply clear strategic thinking and a strong understanding of policy to manage risk and build robust, well-founded cases.
We use transparent, proportionate and evidence-led methodologies, ensuring that everything we present is clear, defensible and ready to withstand challenge from day one. Our planning appeal and Expert Witness experience is called on across the UK — both on projects we’ve supported from the outset and where we are brought in later to provide independent review, due diligence and strategic advice.
We are trusted for our pragmatic, solutions-focused approach, always working to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
