Alistair Watson

Al is our UK Head of Planning & Environment. He's advised on landmark UK projects including numerous stadia, airports, and real estate developments. Clients describe Al as a commercially minded lawyer with outstanding energy, people skills, and commitment to their businesses. He's been in practice for 28 years, and is recognised as one of the UK's leading planning lawyers.

Al guides clients through a range of development and infrastructure schemes, including complex planning applications, development of environmental and sustainability strategies, compulsory land acquisition, as well as supporting appeals and contentious matters arising from the development of sports stadia, airports, skyscrapers, and large residential sites.

He has a Master of Laws in Planning from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and was elected a Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2003. Al often comments on planning projects of national interest with broadsheet and specialist press outlets, including the Financial Times.

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Career

Since 2010	Partner and Head of Planning, Taylor Wessing
1994 - 2010	Associate, CMS Cameron McKenna

Education

2003	Admitted to the Royal Town Planning Institute, Legal Associate
1999	Admitted to the law society’s roll of solicitors, England and Wales
1994	Master of Laws in Planning, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1992

BA Honours Degree

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Memberships & Associations

Legal Associate, Royal Town Planning Institute, 2003

Additional languages

English

Expertise

Sectors Private wealth Real estate Hotels, hospitality & leisure Student accommodation Stadia Offices Living

Experience

Staycation Resort

Acting for the lead investor in the planning for a major sports and leisure staycation resort in England.

Alistair Watson

Logistics

Advising developers, landlords, and tenants on the acquisition of and expansion of logistics facilities, from final mile delivery to central hubs.

Alistair Watson

Airport Infrastructure

Acting for airport operators, airlines, and investors in relation to the development of airports and the supporting transport infrastructure.

Alistair Watson

Private Wealth

Private Clients and Family Offices on the acquisition of and redevelopment of buildings, many of which are heritage assets.

Alistair Watson

Sports stadia

From advising the London Borough of Brent on the then New Wembley National Stadium to acting for various English football clubs in the Premier League and the Football League on planning applications for the development of their new sports stadia, training grounds, and associated transport and social infrastructure improvements.

Alistair Watson

Acquisition and proposed redevelopment of St John's Wood Barracks

A high net worth overseas investor on the acquisition and proposed redevelopment of the St John's Wood Barracks site.

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Awards

Chambers and Partners UK 2023	Planning - Band 3: Alistair Watson's clients include institutional lenders, such as domestic and international funds, and developers of stadium, residential, tall building and airport projects. He is notably skilled in handling infrastructure matters as well as more conventional planning work. "Alistair is always ready to guide us through the murky waters of planning, often on very short notice. He gives clear, succinct advice which factors in our business needs and priorities." "A good planning partner with strong leadership and technical skills." "Alistair Watson is the most client-focused lawyer I have ever worked with. Add to that a razor-sharp understanding of the law and we have a very strong member of our team." "Alistair is efficient. He gets to the core quickly and is positive and encouraging of his team."
Legal 500 UK 2023	Planning - Ranked: "Alistair Watson cared about achieving a successful outcome as much as I did. He contributed thoughtful and creative insights that saw us achieve a better conclusion that I had set out to achieve."
Legal 500 UK 2022	Planning: "Alistair Watson exudes relaxed professionalism. He talks to you at your level and listens and knows how to communicate the advice in an appropriate way."
Chambers UK 2020	"very professional but caring at the same time." - Chambers
Chambers UK 2020	Leading individual - Planning (Band 3): Alistair Watson is highly experienced in advising on development and infrastructure schemes, including planning applications and challenges concerning the development of sports stadiums, skyscrapers and large residential sites. One client says: "Alistair Watson is a very experienced planning lawyer and has provided what I can only say is exceptional advice and support." Another adds: "He is very slick, focused and very well respected."

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