Solicitor, Chief Executive The Planning Group Ltd

Robin worked for nearly 30 years for various local authorities around England during that period he has dealt with all types of planning applications and a variety of appeals acting for the Councils where he worked. This provided an insight into the planning process and meant that he has gained a great deal of experience. He was the chief legal advisor to two councils over a period of 17 years and was also Chief Executive of two councils.

Robin is a qualified solicitor and has dealt with planning appeals for both local authorities and applicants. He experience is almost unique in the breadth and depth of cases which he has been involved with. This has included dealing with small housing schemes, agricultural developments, extensions, major commercial and employment schemes to name but a few. He has advised on all of the planning issues and fully understands the way in which councils work. He has written planning policies and also attended public inquiries on them as well as the more specific planning applications.

Dr Robin J Hooper has been involved in acting for developers, land owners, local authorities and other commercial clients on a wide range of development proposals and other related planning issues. This has included:

• Acting for local authorities in all forms of planning related work, CPO's and development agreements
• Producing Housing Strategies and negotiating with Developers
• Advising on the promotion of sites for housing, retail, leisure and industrial development
• Advising on planning policy, planning applications including detailed negotiations with local planning authorities and preparation of planning submissions and consultations. Drafting and negotiation of detailed section 106 Agreements. The conduct of planning appeals
• Advising on old industrial sites regarding the potential for redevelopment and other urban regeneration schemes. Including consideration of contamination issues
• Advising on village green status and its impact on development value. Preparing cases to contest registration
• High Court challenges and judicial review applications involving detailed instructions to counsel
• Advising on the impact of compulsory purchase orders especially in relation to highways Transport and Works act proposals
• Dealing with compensation claims including references to the Lands Tribunal