KAREN COOKSLEY

Karen is a specialist planning solicitor, able to advise on the full spectrum of matters, and provides sound planning and legal advice, analysis and support for corporate organisations and property teams to achieve their business objectives.

Karen has extensive experience advising board-level clients spanning FTSE 250, charities and SMEs, across energy, transport, retail, mining and property sectors. Karen has received recognition as one of the nation's leading planning lawyers for contributions to major residential, mixed-use and infrastructure projects, strategic matters and major regeneration schemes.

Work Highlights

• Advised South Hams District Council, Plymouth City Council and Devon County Council on all planning matters relating to the creation of a new town, Sherford. This scheme included 5000 new homes, public buildings, a country park, schools, sports facilities, waste facilities, social infrastructure and required me to assist the local authorities to anticipate the developer’s strategy and present solutions to ensure the settlement was sustainable and had supporting services and facilities and was a real place, not just a dormitory town.

• Advised Peel Holdings on the £5Billion regeneration project of the Mersey Maritime Dock and hinterlands, Liverpool Waters for 9000 homes and employment opportunities on the Atlantic gateway and in close proximity to a UNESCO World Heritage Area.

• Advised on the Northern Line extension, offering re-planning and re-phasing guidance on statutory agreements, varying consents, s106 agreements and conditioning.