David Warman

David provides strategic planning advice for major and complex development schemes across England and Wales, including advising on site assembly, reviewing planning applications prior to submission, Environmental Impact Assessments, Section 106 agreement negotiations, and addressing heritage, viability, affordable housing, and environmental considerations. 

• Provided strategic planning advice to a Premier League football club in respect of proposals for redevelopment of a £1bn new stadium. 

• Advised an international hospitality group on proposals for a mixed-use hotel and residential development in the London Borough of Camden. 

• Advised a national retailer on proposals for redevelopment of a vacant site for a major residential development adjoining the River Thames. 

David advises on all planning and highways legal agreements, including negotiating and drafting complex Section 106 obligations for major regeneration, residential, student accommodation and mixed-use developments, often involving viability, affordable housing and biodiversity net gain. He also advises on highways issues including Section 38 and Section 278 Agreements. 

• Negotiated a Section 106 Agreement for a listed UK-based property developer for the first phase of a major London regeneration project (approximately 900 units). 

• Acted for a national housebuilder client on several Section 106 Agreements across London including the negotiation of complex affordable housing obligations. 

• Negotiated and drafted a Section 106 Agreement for a regeneration project in north London on behalf of a Premier League football club, including a supermarket, stadium, hotel, and major residential development (comprising several tall buildings). 

• Negotiated a Section 106 Agreement for a 300-unit purpose-built student accommodation scheme in London, including viability review mechanisms. 

• Advised the UK development arm of a multinational bank on a Section 106 Agreement associated with a landmark residential scheme in Covent Garden. 

• Drafted and negotiated a Section 106 Agreement for a mixed-use cinema and residential scheme on behalf of an international hospitality group in East London. 

David represents clients planning appeals including major public inquiries (instructing counsel where necessary), covering large–scale residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, tall buildings, sensitive householder projects, and enforcement matters, across London and throughout England and Wales. 

• Represented a UK-based real estate company at a public inquiry into a landmark office scheme in the City of Westminster. 

• Represented an appellant at a planning inquiry for a 900-unit residential development including three tall buildings in North London. 

• Represented a client at a planning inquiry for a 400-unit residential-led mixed-use scheme on a vacant site in North London. 

• Represented a client as a Rule 6 Party at a public inquiry associated with an application for a retrospective development in connection with one of the largest breaches of planning control in the UK. 

• Represented a private client on an appeal for a replacement of an existing house and redevelopment of a new architecturally significant home in the London Borough of Camden. 

David advises and represents clients in judicial review and statutory challenge proceedings in the High Court (and Appeal Courts), acting in high-profile and complex planning disputes involving residential, commercial, sporting and community developments, Green Belt proposals, habitats issues, and enforcement matters. 

• Represented a Premier League football club defending a claim for judicial review against the grant of planning permission for a Women’s Training Centre on a Green Belt site. 

• Acted for a Parish Council in successfully quashing planning permission for a major residential development on a local sports and community site. 

• Acted for a Surrey-based housebuilder client on a statutory challenge successfully quashing the Inspector’s decision to refuse planning permission for a housing scheme on a greenfield site. 

• Acted for a regional housebuilder in a statutory challenge to appeal a decision granting planning permission for a residential scheme on a greenfield site in connection with habitats issues. 

• Represented a landowner successfully resisting a statutory challenge to the grant of planning permission for a retail superstore on a greenfield site in Newport (including at the Court of Appeal). 

• Represented a private client in statutory challenge proceedings associated with proposals for a ‘Paragraph 84’ exceptional new dwelling in the Ribble Valley Green Belt. 
• Represented a high-net-worth private client in judicial review proceedings associated with highly controversial proposals for a new home basement development in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. 

David advises on all heritage planning matters, including redevelopment and management of Grade I and II* listed buildings and estates, projects affecting conservation areas, as well as enforcement issues affecting sensitive and historically significant properties. 

• Advised a global educational trust on proposals for redevelopment of Grade II* headquarters in Oxford. 

• Advised a proprietor of a Grade I landed estate in mid-Wales on proposals for forestry business and associated development. 

• Advised an ultra-high-net-worth individual and family office on enforcement issues and strategy associated with development of a Grade II estate in London.  

David advises on compulsory purchase and infrastructure matters, including land assembly, compensation issues and disputes (including references to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and, where relevant, objection strategy. He advises landowners affected by Development Consent Orders, Transport and Works Act Orders, and other infrastructure and regeneration projects. 

• Advised a Premier League football club in respect of CPO strategy to facilitate land assembly for a new stadium.  

• Acted for a consortium of agricultural landowners affected by the Transport and Works Act Order for a new heritage railway in Sussex. 

• Advised a major landowner in connection with Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order, advising on objection strategy and negotiating a Land and Works Agreement. 

• Advised a historic Grade I landed estate on the impacts of an Environment Agency scheme for an enhanced flood defence scheme on the River Medway. 

• Advised auditors for a Local Planning Authority on the scope of a CPO town centre regeneration to facilitate an alternative development scheme. 

• Advised a private client on compensation matters associated with the compulsory acquisition of an office building as part of the Crossrail scheme. 

David advises on Community Infrastructure Levy matters, including on mitigation strategies, disputes over chargeable amounts, and the application of reliefs and exemptions. He advises clients on appeals to the VOA and represents clients in judicial review proceedings and disputes concerning CIL charges on residential, commercial, and institutional developments. 

• Acted for a consortium of Oxford University colleges in judicial review proceedings associated with the city-wide approach to charitable relief pursuant to the CIL Regulations. 

• Acted for a high-profile client in connection with CIL strategy to determine the chargeable amount associated with redevelopment of their home in the London Borough of Camden. 

• Advised a developer client on strategy to mitigate CIL liability associated with the redevelopment of a vacant commercial building in North London. 

David advises on Environmental Impact Assessment matters, guiding developers, landowners, and institutions through the EIA process and advising on strategy for major residential, sporting, agricultural and tourism developments, including tall buildings, habitats, and sensitive rural and environmental schemes. 

• Advised a landed estate client on EIA issues associated with proposals for a new milking and dairy parlour in Somerset. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on EIA issues associated with a new stadium development. 

• Advised a national listed developer on EIA issues associated with a new tall building residential development in South London. 

• Advised a landed estate client on EIA issues associated with proposals for a new camping and associated tourist development in Hampshire. 

David advises on permitted development rights, including office-to-residential conversions and redevelopment strategies, helping developers and investors maximise opportunities while addressing planning, regulatory and strategic considerations for commercial, residential, and agricultural schemes.   

• Advised a UK-based developer on proposals for conversion of an office building to residential in Mayfair. 

• Advised a property investor client in respect of a large-scale office-to-residential permitted development scheme and associated strategy in Southend. 

• Advised a UK-based developer on permitted development rights strategy to facilitate residential development of a vacant commercial building in North London. 

David advises on highways matters, including stopping up and adoption strategies, and drafts and negotiates Section 38 and 278 agreements for major residential, commercial, cultural, and sporting developments across London, and throughout England and Wales. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on highways stopping up issues associated with redevelopment of a new stadium. 

• Advised an aviation charity client on highways issues associated with proposals for a new museum and visitor attraction in Surrey, negotiating S278 Agreement. 

• Advised on highways issues associated with a purpose-built student accommodation scheme in North London, advising on stopping up and adoption strategy. 

• Drafted and negotiated a S278 Agreement associated with development of office building in the City of London. 

• Drafted and negotiated a S278 Agreement with Transport for London for a new residential development in the London Borough of Redbridge. 

David advises on planning enforcement matters relating to unlawful operational development and changes of use, representing clients in high-profile and sensitive cases involving listed buildings, residential and commercial uses, often with significant reputational and financial implications. 

• Advised a client successfully resisting enforcement proceedings in connection with the high-profile ‘stripy house’ case in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. 

• Advised a high-net-worth private client in respect of proceedings associated with an enforcement notice relating to unlawful development to a listed building on the River Thames. 

• Advised an international hotel chain on enforcement issues associated with use of the premises by the Home Office to house asylum seekers. 

• Advised a diversified rural client on enforcement issues associated with use of a historic barn for weddings and related functions. 

David advises on planning due diligence, supporting acquisitions, disposals and leases of landmark properties and estates, and assessing planning risk for corporate, institutional, charitable and high-net-worth clients. He advises on the interpretation of planning conditions and obligations and in respect of applications for Certificates of Lawfulness. 

• Provided planning support in connection with proposed leases on various buildings within London for a high-profile international office group. 

• Assisted a charity client on planning issues associated with the sale of landmark headquarters in Mayfair. 

• Advised a luxury car manufacturer in connection with planning issues relating to the lease of showroom premises in Knightsbridge. 

• Advised an overseas high-net-worth client on planning issues associated with the acquisition of a Grade II* country house, wedding venue and accompanying estate in Oxfordshire. 

David advises on agricultural and rural planning matters, including farm diversification proposals, estate management, major agricultural developments, and heritage issues affecting rural landowners., as well as advising on the impact of proposed infrastructure projects. 

• Advised an historic landed estate in Kent on Environment Agency proposals for increased Flood Defence Scheme on the River Medway. 

• Advised a commercial agricultural estate on proposals for development of a major new milking parlour and dairy in Somerset. 

• Advised a consortium of farming clients on a Transport and Works Act application for proposals for a new heritage steam railway in Sussex. 

• Advised a private equity client on planning issues associated with a proposed investment in a mega poultry farm in Norfolk. 

• Advised a poultry farmer on diversification issues associated with development of proposed wedding venue facilities. 

• Advised a diversified farming business on planning and noise issues associated with use of a redundant barn as a function venue

David advises charities and non-profit organisations on planning matters, including redevelopment of listed and educational premises, residential schemes, and disposals of landmark properties and estates across London and throughout England and Wales. 

• Advised a high-profile educational trust on proposals for redevelopment of listed headquarters in Oxford. 

• Acted for a Church client on proposals for development of an educational campus in Preston. 

• Acted for one of the UK’s oldest children’s charities on proposals for a 100-unit residential development in Medway. 

• Advised a trade union client on planning issues associated with disposal of a conference centre in Surrey. 

• Advised a national professional charity on disposal of a headquarters building in Belgravia. 

David advises educational institutions on planning matters, including new schools, student accommodation, redevelopment of school and higher education estates including listed buildings.

• Advised a London school trust on controversial proposals for a new state boarding school in the South Downs National Park. 

• Advised a University of Cambridge College on the impact of a DCO application for a Lower Thames Crossing on strategic landholdings. 

• Advised a University of Oxford College on development of a new student accommodation, dealing with listed building and public access issues. 

• Advised a landowner on proposals for a 300-unit purpose-built student accommodation scheme in North London. 

• Acted for a consortium of University of Oxford Colleges in a claim for judicial review in respect of an application of Charitable Relief under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations. 

David advises on hotels, hospitality and leisure developments, including museums, cinemas, visitor attractions, private members’ clubs and night-time venues, as well as mixed-use schemes and hotel projects linked to major sporting facilities. 

• Advised an aviation charity client on proposals for development of a new aviation museum in Surrey. 

• Advised an international investor on proposals for development of a mixed-use cinema and residential scheme in East London. 

• Acted for a modern diversified estate on issues associated with expansion of hotel, gardens and visitor attractions in Somerset. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on proposals for a new hotel adjoining its new stadium. 

• Advised an international hospitality client on proposals for a hotel and mixed-use development in the London Borough of Camden. 

• Advised an international investor in connection with proposed development of private members’ club in Mayfair. 

• Acted for a globally renowned nightclub client on the impact of a large-scale residential development adjoining its premises. 

David advises private and high-net-worth clients on sensitive planning matters, including bespoke new homes, enforcement issues, judicial review proceedings, and objection strategies relating to developments affecting residential properties and heritage estates. 

• Advised a private client on proposals for redevelopment of a vacant office building into a new home including a large-scale basement development in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and advising in respect of enforcement issues associated with the ‘stripy house’ case. 

• Advised a private client in High Court proceedings associated with the proposed development of a Paragraph 84 new home in Ribble Valley Green Belt. 

• Advised a private client in respect of one of the largest breaches of planning control in the country (comprising the unlawful importation of more than 600,000 tonnes of waste material) adjoining his home. 

• Advised the family office of an UHNW client on planning enforcement issues affecting a Grade II house in the London Borough of Camden. 

• Advised a high-net-worth client on the proposed development of new home in the London Borough of Camden. 

• Advised numerous private clients on objection strategies relating to proposed developments in the vicinity of their homes. 

David advises commercial developers, housebuilders, and property investors on all planning matters, including Section 106 negotiations, planning appeals, judicial review proceedings, and strategic advice for major residential, mixed-use and regeneration schemes across London and throughout England and Wales. 

• Acted for a national housebuilder on numerous Section 106 Agreements throughout London. 

• Advised a football client on the proposed development of landholdings adjoining its stadium for a major residential development (circa 900 units), drafting and negotiating S106 Agreements and representation at public inquiry into associated planning appeal. 

• Advised a South East regional housebuilder in High Court proceedings challenging the grant of planning permission for a 150-unit scheme in Sussex. 

• Advised a Surrey-based housebuilder client on statutory challenge to the Inspector’s decision to refuse planning permission for a residential development on a greenfield site. 

• Acted for a consortium of property investors on proposals for the redevelopment of a vacant sports ground into a mixed-use retail scheme in Truro. 

• Advised the development arm of an international finance company on the development of a landmark residential scheme in Covent Garden. 

David advises professional football clubs on major stadium and training ground projects, planning strategy for ancillary development, and applications to expand non-football uses and cultural or entertainment facilities. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on the redevelopment of a £1bn Stadium in North London. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on proposals for redevelopment of a Women’s Training Centre on a Green Belt site within the London Borough of Enfield. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on proposals to increase the number of non-football events permitted to be held at the stadium. 

• Advised a Premier League football club on the development of adjoining historic buildings as a complementary arts and entertainment quarter. 

Member of the Compulsory Purchase Association (CPA)