In response to demand from the recovering property sector, two planning law specialists have joined forces in LB & Co, a niche practice set up to advise on complex planning, development and policy issues.
By combining their 40+ years’ experience of planning law, Directors Kate Butterfield and Carolyn Lord will offer a highly competitive, streamlined service, focused on the development industry within the region.
Former colleagues at law college in Leeds, Kate and Carolyn went on to train at Hammond Suddards, and then worked together for 9 years at the ground-breaking planning law firm, Wilbraham & Co, which Carolyn was instrumental in setting up. When the practice merged with Cobbetts in 2004, Kate stayed on as Partner for 6 years before moving to Gordons LLP where she grew the planning practice with a focus on retail and housing. Carolyn branched out on her own as consultant to Walton & Co and then as in-house adviser to the GMI Group of companies.
Now, the time seems right to join forces and pool their considerable expertise. The combination of renewed buoyancy in the property sector and growing complexity in the planning system has stimulated demand for specialist law firms tailored to the needs of the development industry.
Kate comments; “The Yorkshire property sector is certainly gathering pace and as the first stage in the development cycle, planning is instrumental. Contrary to the Government’s stated intentions, the system itself is becoming more complex than ever and the combination of these factors led us to believe that the time is absolutely right to establish a specialist niche firm to support the property industry. Our working history and individual skills led to a natural partnership and we are delighted to be officially launching our service to the region.”
Carolyn continues; “In addition to our individual expertise, during our formative time working together we built a very successful model to help deliver major developments and which we can now draw upon. Our subsequent combined experience of multi-disciplinary working and of diverse projects will enable us to provide the services that clients want in a way that suits their own needs. By taking a hands-on approach, we can provide a strategic and cost effective service to a range of clients from the development industry and others who need specialist planning advice.”
