Business Details
31 Years
experience
Expert Planning and Environmental Law Services in Bristol
Merrett & Co Solicitors is a specialist planning and environmental law firm with over 22 years of dedicated expertise. Our solicitors bring more than 30 years of combined experience, having worked extensively in both local government and private practice. We provide strategic legal solutions for clients navigating complex planning legislation, including developers, landowners, and public sector bodies. Our team has successfully handled over 30,000 planning projects, combining technical knowledge with negotiation skills to achieve favourable outcomes. We maintain strong working relationships with planning authorities nationwide and offer city-quality legal advice without unnecessary bureaucracy.Our practice covers major infrastructure projects, listed building consents, enforcement appeals, and environmental law matters. We pride ourselves on delivering pragmatic advice that balances development needs with conservation requirements. Our principal solicitor, Tracey Merrett & Co Solicitors, has appeared at numerous public inquiries and contributed to key planning publications. We serve clients across the UK from our Bristol base, supporting both domestic and international development projects.
Services
Planning Permission
Appeals
Public Inquiries
Environmental Law
Enforcement Appeals
Listed Building Consent
Infrastructure Projects
Judicial Review
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years' experience in planning and environmental law
- Our team maintains strong working relationships with planning authorities nationwide
- We provide city-quality legal advice without unnecessary bureaucracy
- We have handled over 30,000 planning projects successfully
- Our principal solicitor has contributed to key planning publications
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Wealth of experience
Excellent balance of skills
Never fails to deliver
Secured valuable permissions
Strong council relationships
Services
Planning Permission
We specialise in securing planning permissions for complex development projects including residential schemes, commercial developments, and infrastructure projects. Our team understands the political and legal challenges involved in obtaining approvals. We work closely with clients and planning authorities to develop strategic approaches that maximise chances of success.
Appeals
Our firm handles planning appeals and enforcement challenges with a proven track record of overturning refusals. We prepare comprehensive cases for appeal, including written representations, hearings, and public inquiries. Our experience with over 30,000 planning cases informs our strategic approach to challenging local authority decisions.
Environmental Law
We advise on environmental regulations covering waste management, contaminated land, and infrastructure projects. Our expertise includes advising on carbon trading appeals, renewable energy projects, and environmental impact assessments. We help clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks while balancing development objectives.
Public Inquiries
Our solicitors regularly represent clients at public inquiries and hearings for major development projects. We prepare detailed evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present compelling arguments. Our experience includes representing clients at inquiries for billion-pound schemes and nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Listed Building Consent
We specialise in obtaining listed building consents for sensitive heritage projects. Our team has secured permissions for extensions to grade I listed buildings, museum developments, and conservation area projects. We understand the balance between preservation requirements and modern development needs.
People
Tracey Merrett
Sole Principal
Solicitor with 32 years' experience in planning and environmental law. Formerly worked for four local authorities and major law firms including Norton Rose and Osborne Clarke. Established Merrett & Co Solicitors in 1995 to focus on specialist planning law.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We focus exclusively on planning law, environmental law, and local government matters.
How much experience do you have?
Our solicitors have over 30 years' experience handling more than 30,000 planning cases.
Which areas do you cover?
We work nationwide with particular expertise in Bristol and the South West region.
Can you handle complex planning disputes?
Yes, we specialise in challenging refusals and handling appeals for complex developments.
