Janet May

Partner and Head of Planning

Janet May

Partner and Head of Planning

Chambers & Partners Top Ranked Firm 2021 Legal 500 Top Tier 2022

I lead the Planning Consultancy and Planning Legal team comprising both chartered planners and planning lawyers. With over 25 years’ experience gained in both public sector and private
practice, I specialise in a wide range of planning and environmental legal matters. I have supported a number of clients from the public, private and third sector, these have included housing
developers, charities, utility companies, local planning authorities and the sport and leisure sector. My key areas of specialism include:

providing advice in preparing planning applications;
preparing representations on emerging local plans;
advocacy at examination in public and public inquiries;
political and public consultation exercises;
advocacy at regulatory planning committees;
coordination and management of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s);
drafting section 106/278 agreements;
providing advice on judicial review (planning); and
providing legal advice on heritage matters.

I have extensive project management experience gained through high-profile projects and contentious commissions which have included the Dibden Bay Public Inquiry, West Quay
Shopping Centre, St Mary’s Stadium, the home of Southampton Football Club and the Ageas Bowl, Home of Hampshire Cricket.

As former joint head of Legal at Southampton City Council, leading the major projects and environmental legal team, I have extensive experience of local authority practice which
has enabled me to develop both positive and successful working relationships with our local authority clients.

I am an advocate of supporting local businesses and emerging markets, providing them with the planning legal and consultancy support they require in ensuring they are resilient and
maximising their revenue potential.

I am an Associate Member of the Institution of Environmental management and Assessment.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to say a few words about Paris Smith, who I have known and worked with for over 20 years. It would be too easy to simply say that they provide a highly professional and efficient planning consultancy and legal service. Of course they do, but the relationship both I and Eastleigh Borough Council enjoy with Paris Smith goes well beyond that of the normal client and contractor. It is much more a partnership that we have developed over many years based on trust, mutual respect and a real understanding of our priorities and needs.

Nick Tustian, Chief Executive - Eastleigh Borough Council

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Janet May

Janet May