DWF strengthens national planning team with recruitment of new head & 3 lawyers

DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has appointed Stephen Webb as a partner and head of its national planning team, together with legal director Rachael Coulsting and solicitors Francesca Dykes and Catherine Losty.

Stephen, a dual qualified planner and solicitor, joins DWF with over 35 years' experience in planning and planning law. His background spans roles as both a planning officer and solicitor, enabling him to advise developers, local authorities, investors, landowners and individuals on a wide range of planning matters. His practice includes town and country planning law, highways, compulsory purchase, Transport and Works Act Orders, judicial review and major development projects. Over the course of his career, Stephen has advised on a number of high-profile and complex developments.

Stephen has held senior leadership roles at Dentons, SJ Berwin and Clyde & Co. He has also chaired the City of London Law Society Planning and Environmental Law Committee and is a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Stephen will be based at DWF's Leeds and London offices. His appointment builds on the recent expansion of the firm's planning team, following the arrival of Rachael Coulsting in Birmingham, who joins from Shakespeare Martineau, having previously held roles at Shoosmiths and Eversheds Sutherland. Francesca Dykes and Catherine Losty have also joined the business' London and Belfast offices, respectively.

Commenting on his appointment, Stephen said: “I am delighted to be joining DWF. The firm has a strong client base, an ambitious real estate practice and provides a significant opportunity to grow its profile in the planning market. I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the firm to support existing clients, strengthen the planning team and help drive its future growth.”

Melanie Williams, global head of real estate at DWF, added: “Stephen is a highly respected planning lawyer with an exceptional breadth of experience across public and private sector work. His deep market knowledge, leadership experience and strong client relationships will be a tremendous asset to our real estate team as we continue to grow our planning capability. We are very pleased to welcome him and our other new planning lawyers to DWF”.