Elizabeth Shield, Associate, Planning, Highways & Environment

The fact that planning law has such tangible consequences and is so forward-looking is what makes planning law so interesting and rewarding – I can see the difference I make and I have a stake in communities’ futures. My experience as a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute means I can develop strategies for clients that take into account what works in practical terms for them and regards the political and legal complexities of the planning process.

Understanding the market in which developers and landowners are working, and the pressures they are under is very important to me so that I can provide practical, clear and commercial advice. Keeping clients informed is a key part of my role as the planning process is often more complex and bureaucratic than clients expect.

I am experienced in a wide range of environmental, planning and highways law matters. I particularly enjoy planning enforcement work and dealing with certificates of lawfulness as well as interpreting planning permissions and conditions. My experience makes me well placed to deal with planning appeals but I also enjoy non-contentious work such as drafting and negotiating s106 agreements.

Outside work, I enjoy running and love going to the theatre.