James is a Junior Associate in the firm’s Planning and Parliamentary team.
He advises a diverse range of clients on planning and environmental matters, including Development Consent Orders (DCOs) for nationally significant infrastructure projects under the Planning Act 2008.
James supports a wide range of clients, including local authorities, charities, developers and individuals.
James played a key role in the Sharpe Pritchard team advising a consortium of local authority clients during the examination of the Gatwick Airport Northern Runway Project, demonstrating his experience of the DCO process and key issues in the aviation sector.
James has developed a particular interest in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), regularly advising developers and local planning authorities on the complexities of the mandatory BNG requirements and offering strategic guidance on its delivery.
He also has experience drafting and negotiating Section 106 Agreements, advising on planning enforcement matters, and has recently supported a local authority through the Examination in Public of a new local plan.
James also has experience in the promotion of and opposition to private and hybrid Bills in Parliament.
6 October 2025
As cries of ‘Build Baby Build’ echoed around the Labour party conference hall in Liverpool last week, planning and real estate professionals across the country were reviewing the New Towns Taskforce’s report to Government, published on 28th September. The report recommends that the Government consult on 12 proposed locations for a new generation of new…
Read more17 April 2025
12 March 2025
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill was introduced into Parliament on 11 March 2025 with a promise to “get Britain building” and “tackle blockers” to the development of new housing and major infrastructure projects. The Bill will have significant implications for local authorities, developers and communities. Sharpe Pritchard’s Planning and Infrastructure team will be delving into…
Read more4 February 2025
The planning reform spotlight has been beaming down on the Nationally Significant Infrastructure (“NSIP”) regime in recent weeks, with a new Government policy paper Streamlining Infrastructure Planning published on 26 January. The Government’s ambition to decide 150 Development Consent Order (“DCO”) applications during this parliament would represent a significant achievement which the working paper acknowledges…
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