Janine joined Ortolan Legal in 2018.  She has been a specialist planning lawyer since qualifying as a solicitor in 2004.  She spent 15 years working in the planning team of a leading City of London law firm.  Having moved with her family to Yorkshire, the flexible working structure offered by Ortolan Legal allows Janine to remain active and involved in the law while balancing this with her family life. 

Janine’s practice involves advising public and private sector clients on a broad range of planning issues.  Activities include: advising on application strategy; negotiating planning agreements; reviewing application documents and committee reports; assisting with appeals and challenges; analysing emerging planning policy; advising on compulsory purchase; and assisting with enforcement and heritage issues.\

We asked Janine a few questions

What attracted you to planning law when you first started out as a solicitor? 

I had always been interested in human geography and had considered pursuing a town planning career before studying law. 

What has been the most challenging issue you have worked on?

It is very hard to choose the most challenging issue!  There have been various challenges for different reasons.  I really enjoyed drafting the Milton Keynes tariff framework agreement but it was challenging because, acting for the planning authority, we were negotiating with a range of developers and landowners whose interests were not necessarily aligned.  Working on appeals and challenges often necessitates a full understanding of technical information ranging from bat surveys to traffic impact data, which can be a challenge.  One matter which sticks in my mind required careful analysis of noise information presented to a planning inspector prior to the grant of planning permission when the owner of the adjacent pub and music venue challenged the grant of permission.  However, the reason it sticks in my mind is that, unfortunately, the permission was quashed in the Court of Appeal meaning our clients lost the ability to redevelop the derelict East London site.  It felt quite unjust!     

Isn’t planning a very specialist niche – do you ever get bored?

It is a niche, but it is a very broad one.  There is contentious and non-contentious work.  Some large development matters last for years and begin with strategic advice on influencing planning policy.  Other matters might require a short period of work to deal with a particular issue, such as a breach of condition, or perhaps a need to object to a neighbouring development scheme.  My recent work for Ortolan was different again, advising owners of property earmarked to make way for HS2.

Tell us a little about yourself outside the law.

If I win the lottery, I will be a property developer.  In the meantime, I satisfy my interest in property by planning our home extension and interiors - and being a planning lawyer!  I am married with three young children.  I like to spend time with my family, spend time without them exercising and when I have the energy, to cook. 

In future editions we are looking forward to introducing you to two more specialist solicitors who have joined us in the last year: Tony Pearson-Smith (commercial property) and Alice Hume (intellectual property).