Alex Madden has over 20 years’ experience advising on planning and environmental matters. He is a Solicitor-Advocate with higher rights of audience in the Civil Courts, a Legal Associate of the RTPI and a Fellow of BIAC. Alex advises on both contentious and non-contentious planning matters covering residential development, retail and leisure, agricultural development, waste planning and renewables. His practice covers the preparation and drafting of infrastructure agreements (including section 106 agreements) and applications, planning appeals, planning enforcement and challenges to Appeal decisions in the High Court and judicial review proceedings.
Alex advises on the EIA Regulations, works to Listed Buildings and development constrained by Tree Preservation Orders. He is experienced with advising on Town and Village Green Applications, Assets of Community Value, Community Infrastructure Levy and issues arising under the Permitted Development Rights regime in particular with regard to Class Q (residential conversion of rural buildings) and Class R (agricultural buildings to flexible commercial use).
Alex advises on issues arising under the Habitats Regulations 2017 (including development affected by nutrient and water neutrality) and the Environment Act 2021 (including the Biodiversity Net Gain regime). Alex is also experienced in dealing with statutory nuisance and abatement notice appeals, offences relating to controlled waste, pollution, waste packaging, contaminated land together with the Environmental Permitting and the Civil Sanctions regime.
Alex is a member of UKELA and sits on the South East Wales branch of the CLA committee. He also speaks on planning and environmental matters at national conferences run by leading industry bodies such as the NFU, the CLA, BIAC and RICS.
Career history and education
- University of the West of England – LLB Law and German 2001
- University of the West of England – LPC 2002
- Trained at Thrings LLP – 2003 to 2005
- Qualified at Thrings LLP in 2005 & made Partner in 2011
- Higher Rights (Civil) obtained in April 2016
- Partner at Hugh James 2024
Memberships
- Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute (LARTPI)
- Fellow of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (FBIAC)
- Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates (SAHCA)
- CLA & sits on South East Wales Branch Committee
- NFU