Douglas advises landowners and developers on Planning matters and acts as advocate for various local authorities. Clients have included the Diocese of St Albans, St Albans School, the University of Hertfordshire and Rothamsted Experimental Station, as well as house builders of all volumes.
He also regularly advises other firms of solicitors on behalf of their clients.
Skills & Experience
Working at the London Borough of Merton gave Douglas a good grounding in local government law and administration in general. In the 1960s, he drafted his first enforcement notice and planning agreement and became involved in redevelopment. Throughout the 1970s, whilst working for St Albans Council he was the Counci's advocate at the majority of public inquiries into planning appeals of all kinds, including planning enforcement and listed buildings. He was also very much involved with fellow officers in major development schemes such as Jersey Farm (350 acres) and Cross Farm for residential purposes, the various City Centre redevelopment projects, with the A1(M) and M25 Inquiries, and the Herts Country Structure Plan.
He helped draft the first St Albans District Plan which he defended as principal advocate at the Local Plan Inquiry over several months. This gave an excellent grounding in strategic planning, particularly land supply issues.
His interest in landscape, conservation and the environment pre-dates his professional career. His professional experience in environmental work began with noise nuisance and food safety cases for St Albans Council. In later years, he has advised in Environment Agency matters, statutory nuisance cases and similar matters.
He has an interest in administrative law generally, for example, advising on ombudsman cases, judicial review and advising members on Standards Board complaints.
He has written several articles for the planning/legal press, such as on the commencement of development, design as a material consideration and the interpretation of permissions. He has given seminars and talks on listed building law, enforcement, and planning law and practice generally.
