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Ben Standing

Partner

Birmingham

ben.standing@brownejacobson.com

+44 0330 045 2400

Birmingham

Ben specialises in public, planning and environmental law for public bodies, corporate sector bodies and affordable housing providers. He is recognised in both the Legal 500 and Chambers as an expert in planning and environmental law. Key areas of work include large infrastructure projects, section 106 agreements and marine matters.

He has been at Browne Jacobson for over 10 years. A key part of Ben’s practice is advising on large mixed-use developments, this includes for public bodies as local planning authority, public bodies as landowner and private developers. In addition, Ben advises on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and Developments of National Significance (Wales). This includes solar farms, wind farms (on- and offshore) and tidal energy.    

Ben’s marine experience includes 18 months on secondment to the Marine Management Organisation. Ben’s experienced with Harbour Orders, Byelaws, Several and Regulatory Orders, Marine Licensing, the Habitats Regulations and judicial review challenges.   

Ben also advises on a broad range of other issues, including rights-of-way, community infrastructure levy, environmental impact assessments and use class, contaminated land, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, governance issues, local authority constitutions and vires.   

Ben has had articles published in the Times and the Planner and works closely with bodies such as Lawyers in Local Government and the UK Environmental Law Association. He is based in our Birmingham office.   

Featured experience

Redevelopment of old Copper works

Ben advised a public body on the redevelopment of an old copper works in Walsall. The site was heavily contaminated, and we advised on the risks connected with the site and on securing the necessary £30m for remediation. Funding for the remediation works was eventually secured through borrowing against future business rates, demonstrating the benefit of innovative approaches to achieving redevelopment of a large and very visible site. 

Solar farm on BMV

Ben advised on and provided the advocacy for two days of hearings about a 118ha solar farm, a large proportion of which was to be constructed on best and most versatile farmland. The arguments centred on whether the loss of the land for 40 years was required for climate change mitigation, or whether solar was most appropriate as it reduces carbon emissions.   

5000 home urban extension

Ben is working with a public body in connection with a 5,000 home urban extension in the West Midlands. This includes negotiation in relation to a framework section 106 agreement (as there will be multiple applications being brought forward), as well as the planning framework.  

Testimonials

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