Business Details
31 Years
experience
Expert Planning and Environmental Law Services
Merrett & Co is a specialist planning and environmental law firm with over 22 years of dedicated practice. Our solicitors bring more than 30 years of combined experience, having worked extensively in both local government and private practice. We advise developers, landowners, and public authorities on complex planning matters, including inquiries, appeals, and judicial reviews. Our strategic approach combines technical expertise with strong negotiation skills, supported by longstanding relationships with planning authorities nationwide.We deliver city-quality legal solutions without unnecessary bureaucracy, focusing on achieving successful outcomes for development projects. With a track record spanning thousands of planning cases, we provide pragmatic advice tailored to clients' specific needs.
Services
Planning Permission Advice
Appeals Against Refusals
Judicial Review Proceedings
Environmental Law Consultation
Heritage and Listed Building Cases
Enforcement Disputes
Community Infrastructure Levy Negotiations
Agricultural Development Advice
Highways and Access Solutions
National Infrastructure Projects
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We have 32 years of experience in planning and environmental law
- Our team has worked with four local authorities and major law firms
- We handle complex cases including judicial reviews and public inquiries
- We maintain strong working relationships with planning authorities nationwide
- Our strategic approach has secured planning permissions in difficult circumstances
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Wealth of experience
Excellent contacts with councils
Never fails to deliver
Joy to work with
Secured valuable permissions
Services
Planning Permission Advice
We provide expert guidance on obtaining planning permissions for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Our team advises on application strategies, documentation preparation, and negotiation with local authorities. With extensive experience in complex cases, we help clients navigate the planning process efficiently while addressing potential objections and compliance requirements.
Judicial Review Proceedings
Our firm specialises in judicial review applications related to planning decisions. We represent clients in challenging unlawful refusals or defending against third-party challenges. Our approach combines thorough legal analysis with strategic advocacy to protect clients' interests in high-stakes planning disputes involving major development projects and regulatory compliance issues.
Heritage and Listed Building Cases
We advise on planning and listed building consent matters for historic properties. Our expertise covers extensions, renovations, and adaptive reuse of heritage assets. We work closely with conservation officers and heritage bodies to achieve approvals while maintaining architectural integrity, as demonstrated in our successful cases involving Grade I listed buildings and museum expansions.
Environmental Law Consultation
Our environmental law services cover waste management, contaminated land remediation, and regulatory compliance. We advise on permits, enforcement issues, and sustainability requirements for development projects. With experience in both advisory and litigation contexts, we help clients navigate environmental regulations while balancing commercial objectives and legal obligations.
Enforcement Disputes
We represent clients in planning enforcement cases involving alleged breaches of permissions or listed building regulations. Our services include negotiating settlements, preparing appeals, and defending clients at hearings. We have successfully resolved complex enforcement matters, including cases with multiple alleged breaches and historic compliance issues requiring creative legal solutions.
People
Tracey Merrett
Solicitor and Principal
Tracey Merrett is a solicitor with 32 years' experience in planning and environmental law. She has worked for four local authorities and leading law firms including Norton Rose and Osborne Clarke. She established Merrett & Co in 1995 and has handled thousands of planning cases, including major infrastructure projects and high-profile inquiries.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in planning law, environmental law, and local government law, with particular expertise in development projects, listed building consents, and planning enforcement matters.
How can you help with planning permission refusals?
We assist with appeals against refusals, including preparing documentation, negotiating with authorities, and representing clients at public inquiries and judicial review proceedings.
Do you work with both developers and local authorities?
Yes, our experience spans advising developers seeking permissions and local authorities on planning matters, giving us valuable insight into both perspectives.
What types of development projects do you handle?
We work on residential schemes, commercial developments, national infrastructure projects, heritage properties, and environmental law matters across the UK.
How do you charge for your services?
We offer transparent pricing tailored to each case, with options including hourly rates and fixed fees for specific services where appropriate.
