Frances qualified as a solicitor in June 2018 following early completion of her training contract with the firm and now is an associate. Before commencing her training, Frances worked as a paralegal in the Planning & Infrastructure team for two years. 

Frances specialises in planning, highways and compulsory purchase law and acts for a range of clients from local authorities and developers to housebuilders and individuals. Frances regularly advises on Section 38 and 278 Agreements, Section 106 Agreements and planning appeals. She is also experienced in advising in respect of stopping up orders, and assisting in all aspects of compulsory purchase and development consent.  

Experience

Examples of experience include advising:

  • A public body in respect of their challenge of the grant of Town and Village Green status, which included an appeal to the Supreme Court 
  • A local authority in respect of the making and confirmation of a Compulsory Purchase Order for a mixed use development and regeneration project in North London
  • A local authority on the making of a compulsory purchase order to secure land for a new bridge
  • A statutory undertaker in respect of the making of a stopping up order for a level crossing and subsequent challenge which has recently been heard in the Court of Appeal.
  • An education provider in respect of an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for  residential development in the Green Belt
  • Education providers and developers on planning and highways agreements throughout England  
  • Financial institutions, landowners and developers in respect of site planning history and due diligence.