Blacks Solicitors has significantly bolstered its planning law team with the appointment of Emma, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in the field. Her arrival signals an important step in the firm’s growth strategy, which has seen its planning team expand notably in the past year.
During the last financial year, Blacks’ planning team successfully advised more than 70 clients, 30 of whom were new to the firm. Emma’s leadership will be crucial as she heads the team, offering expert legal support to investors, developers, landowners, and public authorities across a diverse range of sectors including energy, housebuilding, retail, and holiday parks.
With a proven track record, Emma has worked with high-profile clients such as Keyland Developments Limited, Strata Homes Limited, and Lidl on complex planning matters. Reflecting on her new role, she expressed her excitement about joining a thriving firm, saying, “Blacks is a firm which is thriving in the real estate market, and I am delighted to have joined such a knowledgeable and experienced team with strong connections throughout the property sector.”
Emma’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for planning law, as 2025 will bring several significant legislative changes, including the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the anticipated Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and potential reforms to Planning Committee procedures. These changes, along with the ongoing challenges and opportunities presented by Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, will affect both developers and local authorities.
The planning team at Blacks Solicitors continues to provide a comprehensive range of services including planning applications, highways agreements, appeals, heritage asset protection, public rights of way, and planning enforcement. Recently, the team has been advising on major solar and battery storage projects nationwide and has been integral to large-scale mixed-use and employment developments across Yorkshire.
Nick Dyson, Partner and Head of the Real Estate Team at Blacks, welcomed Emma’s appointment, emphasizing her potential to enhance the firm’s services.
