Clara is a Solicitor in the Planning team based in our Exeter office. She advises a broad range of clients, including local authorities, landowners, developers and housing associations, on a variety of planning law matters.
Having trained and qualified with a South West law firm with a national reach, Clara has a strong command of transaction support work, and planning and environmental due diligence. She also has extensive experience advising housing associations on the planning aspects of affordable housing developments, giving her a strong understanding of the practical and commercial issues in the affordable housing sector and wider housing market.
Clara enjoys working with clients from across the planning industry and believes that experience of acting for different parties provides valuable insight into the competing priorities in any transaction or project. This enables her to anticipate potential issues and help clients achieve practical, commercially focused solutions.
Clara likes to maintain open communication with counterparties wherever possible. She believes that early dialogue can minimise misunderstandings, keep matters moving efficiently and help resolve issues before they become obstacles.
Clients value Clara's approachable manner and commitment to understanding the various interdependencies that influence decision-making in the built environment, and ability to give advice which is both pragmatic and forward-thinking.
"I aim to add value to the clients and teams that I work with by integrating my knowledge and experience in planning work with practical suggestions for what works best based on the current facts of a wider project or transaction. I also enjoy developing a deeper understanding of project partners' and clients' perspectives and needs through working with them over multiple projects."