Expertise

With qualifications in both law and urban planning, Tom is an associate in our commercial property group specialising in all aspects of planning and highways law. He has advised commercial and government clients on a range of planning, environment and local government matters and conducted proceedings in these areas in specialist tribunals and courts.

Recent Experience

In his former roles Tom’s recent experience included:

• Drafting and negotiating the planning and highways agreement for a phase of the Woodberry Down Regeneration Scheme, one of the largest estate regeneration projects in Europe.
•  Conducting judicial review proceedings brought on grounds related to the application of planning policy, lawful Council decision making, public consultation and the public sector equality duty.
• Advising the project delivery authority on planning, environment, land access and acquisition issues for a major public transport project.
•  Advising on issues surrounding the designation and extension of conservation areas.
• Acting for the applicant in a successful planning appeal for approval to redevelop a residential care home.

Career History

Tom joined Wedlake Bell in November 2020.

Tom is admitted as a solicitor in Australia and has degrees in Law and Sustainable Development (Hons) from Murdoch University, Perth as well a Masters in Urban Planning and Environment from RMIT, Melbourne, Australia. He previously worked for Hackney Council as a planning lawyer and before that spent 5 years in private practice in Australia at Herbert Smith Freehills and Lavan, where he advised public and private sector clients on planning and environmental approvals and compulsory purchase disputes.

Publications

Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal, ‘Procedural Fairness and the Western Australian Contaminated Sites Committee’ (2013) Australian Environment Review, ‘Environmental offsets: a reform of the Western Australian approach’ (2013)