Business Details
23 Years
experience
Planning Law Specialists Now at Keystone Law
We are a specialist planning law firm with extensive expertise in navigating the complexities of the UK planning system. Established in 2003, our approach combines technical excellence with a commercial focus, prioritising client needs through proactive service delivery. Our team has decades of combined experience advising developers, landowners, and local authorities on strategic planning matters. We specialise in streamlining planning processes through expert legal guidance, from initial applications to high-stakes judicial reviews. Our partners have held key roles in prominent planning cases across England and Wales, including major public inquiries and complex development schemes.We maintain strong relationships with professional advisors to deliver comprehensive solutions for large-scale projects. Although no longer operating independently, our legacy continues through our affiliation with Keystone Law, where we retain focus on planning law expertise. Our practice has consistently addressed emerging challenges in environmental impact assessments, compulsory purchase orders, and heritage issues. Client satisfaction remains central to our work, demonstrated through tailored advice on planning conditions, obligations, and property transactions. We remain available to former clients for file transfers and archived document access.
Services
Planning Applications
Judicial Reviews
Environmental Assessments
S106 Agreements
Compulsory Purchase Orders
Heritage Issues
Development Consent
Planning Appeals
Due Diligence
Community Infrastructure Levy
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of combined experience in planning law
- Our team includes former local authority planning solicitors
- We specialise exclusively in UK planning legislation and policy
- We provide strategic advice on high-profile development schemes
- Our partners have led major public inquiries and judicial reviews
Services
Planning Applications
We provide comprehensive advice on planning applications, including strategic guidance for large-scale developments. Our expertise covers pre-submission reviews, condition negotiations, and representation at public inquiries. With decades of experience, we help clients navigate complex planning regulations to secure permissions for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Judicial Reviews
Our team specialises in handling judicial reviews and statutory challenges in the High Court. We represent clients in disputes over planning decisions, helping to minimise legal risks while pursuing or defending claims. Our experience includes high-profile cases involving major development schemes and environmental protection matters.
S106 Agreements
We negotiate Section 106 agreements and other planning obligations to facilitate development approvals. Our specialists work with local authorities and developers to create legally binding agreements that address infrastructure requirements and community impacts for residential, commercial, and mixed-use schemes.
Compulsory Purchase
We advise on compulsory purchase orders for large-scale regeneration projects, including representation at public inquiries. Our services cover CPO promotion, objection handling, and compensation negotiations for both public and private sector clients involved in major infrastructure developments.
Heritage Issues
Our expertise includes advising on listed building consents, conservation area matters, and heritage impact assessments. We help clients navigate planning requirements for historic properties while balancing development needs with preservation obligations across England and Wales.
People
Richard Max
Partner
Specialist planning solicitor with over 20 years' experience. Trained at Macfarlanes, former planning solicitor to Oxford City Council, and head of planning at DJ Freeman and Olswang. Established Richard Max & Co in 2003.
David Warman
Partner
Experienced planning solicitor with expertise in developer and local authority matters. Trained at Clarke Willmott, worked at London Borough of Southwark, joined Richard Max & Co in 2003, and became partner in 2008.
Questions
Is Richard Max & Co Solicitors still operating?
We closed our independent practice in 2023. Our partners now continue planning law services at Keystone Law.
What planning law services do you offer?
We advise on applications, appeals, judicial reviews, S106 agreements, compulsory purchase orders, and development schemes.
How can former clients access their files?
We assist with file transfers and archived document retrieval for past matters handled before our closure.
What experience do you have with major developments?
We've advised on Premier League stadium projects, 1000-unit residential schemes, and heritage railway proposals.
Do you handle environmental planning issues?
Yes, we specialise in environmental impact assessments, nutrient neutrality, and conservation matters.
