New Planning Partner for Clarke Willmott

Law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has added a new partner to its national planning & environment team.

Elaine Field brings over 20 years of experience in both private practice and in-house roles within local government, meaning an in-depth understanding of the pressures and priorities on all sides of the planning process.

Elaine’s appointment signals further growth for the firm’s Manchester office, where Elaine will be based, as well as for its leading planning team which advises on the full spectrum of planning matters for developers, local authorities, landowners and commercial organisations.

Previous work for Elaine includes strategic input on major residential, mixed‑use and commercial schemes, as well as detailed support on complex planning and highways issues. She has significant experience negotiating and drafting Section 106 agreements for large‑scale developments, including urban extensions and garden town projects, often involving multi‑party collaboration and complex infrastructure requirements.

Elaine’s infrastructure expertise ranges from advising on DCOs, dealing with Traffic Regulation Orders, advising statutory undertakers on protective provisions, and representing clients at Select Committee hearings in connection with HS2.

Ed Foulkes, head of Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office, said: “It’s great to welcome Elaine to our office and to our fast-growing and nationally-recognised planning and environment team.

“Elaine is known for her practical, solutions‑focused approach and for providing clear, commercially grounded advice that helps clients navigate the complexities of the planning system with confidence.

“She will assist the national team in acting for major housebuilders and registered providers, covering issues such as grant funding, viability, affordable housing, phased delivery and BNG as well as working closely with public and private sector partners to help unlock deliverable, viable redevelopment.

“Elaine joins the Manchester office at a time of impressive growth as we expand on both our pool of talented people and our client base, highlighting our dedication to maintaining a competitive edge in the national and regional legal market.”

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.