BCLP logo

Clare Eccles

Clare Eccles

Senior Knowledge Lawyer

London

T: +44 (0) 20 3400 4267

VcardVcard
Download PDFDownload PDF
Print
Share

Biography

Clare is a Knowledge Development Lawyer in the Planning and Zoning (UK) team.  She is responsible for the team’s knowledge management and training strategy, developing knowhow resources and monitoring legal and market developments.

Clare has over 15 years of experience in all aspects of planning and highways law.

Clare is a co-author of the Commercial Transactions Checklists published by Sweet and Maxwell.

Admissions

  • England and Wales

Related Capabilities

Real Estate Real Estate

Planning & Zoning Planning & Zoning

  • Real Estate

  • Planning & Zoning

Related Insights

View All Related InsightsIcon: arrow

Insights
Sep 18, 2025

New NSIP pre-application consultation rules

A government consultation published on 1 September (closing on 27 October) seeks views on new guidance to support the DCO process reforms in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB).  This blog focuses on what might be included in the new guidance on pre-application consultation and how applicants might be expected to approach it, once the requirement moves from a statutory to a non-statutory footing.
Insights
Jul 08, 2025

Planning measures in the new 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy

Publication of the new 10-year Infrastructure Strategy and 10-Year Industrial Strategy in June meant two more manifesto commitments could be ticked off before the end of the government’s first year in office.  This blog concentrates on the Infrastructure Strategy and discusses the ‘new approach’ to improve infrastructure delivery and the role of planning.
Insights
Apr 29, 2025

How will the newly created NISTA accelerate infrastructure delivery?

Between 2015-2025 the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) carried out an important function in assessing the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs, setting the infrastructure agenda and providing independent advice to the Government. However, from 1 April 2025, the NIC ceased operating and was combined with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) to form a new unit within HM Treasury called the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). In this Insight we explore how this change might accelerate infrastructure delivery.
Insights
Mar 26, 2025

Planning and Infrastructure Bill – NSIP changes

The infrastructure measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduce amendments, principally to the Planning Act 2008, that aim to make the NSIP regime faster and more flexible to support the Government’s major infrastructure ambitions. In the second Insight in our series on the Bill, we discuss what changes to the NSIP regime have and have not been included and the implications for those navigating the system.
Insights
Mar 14, 2025

Planning and Infrastructure Bill – The Next Step on the Road to Planning Reform

The much trailed Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduced to Parliament on 11 March covers wide ranging changes to the conventional planning process, CPO, development corporations and infrastructure planning.  It is an ambitious piece of legislation, designed to support delivery of the Government’s housing and critical infrastructure targets and drive growth, and introduces some novel measures. 
Insights
Jan 24, 2025

Government’s bold move to reduce legal challenges to NSIPs

The Government has confirmed it will introduce legislation to reduce the number of attempts claimants have to secure permission to legally challenge a DCO. 
Insights
Jan 17, 2025

Significant changes to CPO regime under consideration

Two significant consultations opened at the end of last year, the first by the Government and the second by the Law Commission, seeking views on proposed changes to CPO law and process. In the first of this two part series, we consider the Government consultation and what the changes it proposes may mean for acquiring authorities and those whose land or interests may subject to a CPO.
Insights
Dec 18, 2024

NSIP planning: What’s changed in 2024 and on the horizon for 2025?

2024 has been a year with a continued focus on the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning (‘NSIP’) planning regime by both the predecessor and current government. Reforms to make the regime faster and more effective remain a high political priority given its critical role in delivering infrastructure to support a number of key government objectives. Operational changes identified in the previous government’s various reform programmes and action plans continued to be delivered, with the new Labour government introducing some changes and proposals of its own. This blog highlights some key changes made to the NSIP planning regime delivered in 2024 with thoughts on what to expect in 2025.
Insights
Dec 18, 2024

What’s new in the updated NPPF?

On 12 December 2024, the updated NPPF consulted on over the summer, came into immediate effect.  The pro-development changes aim to increase housing delivery, support development generally and in particular key growth sectors whilst placing a stronger emphasis on sustainability, tackling climate change and promoting green energy.

Related Insights

Insights
Sep 18, 2025
New NSIP pre-application consultation rules
A government consultation published on 1 September (closing on 27 October) seeks views on new guidance to support the DCO process reforms in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB).  This blog focuses on what might be included in the new guidance on pre-application consultation and how applicants might be expected to approach it, once the requirement moves from a statutory to a non-statutory footing.
Insights
Jul 08, 2025
Planning measures in the new 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy
Publication of the new 10-year Infrastructure Strategy and 10-Year Industrial Strategy in June meant two more manifesto commitments could be ticked off before the end of the government’s first year in office.  This blog concentrates on the Infrastructure Strategy and discusses the ‘new approach’ to improve infrastructure delivery and the role of planning.
Insights
Apr 29, 2025
How will the newly created NISTA accelerate infrastructure delivery?
Between 2015-2025 the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) carried out an important function in assessing the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs, setting the infrastructure agenda and providing independent advice to the Government. However, from 1 April 2025, the NIC ceased operating and was combined with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) to form a new unit within HM Treasury called the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). In this Insight we explore how this change might accelerate infrastructure delivery.
Insights
Mar 26, 2025
Planning and Infrastructure Bill – NSIP changes
The infrastructure measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduce amendments, principally to the Planning Act 2008, that aim to make the NSIP regime faster and more flexible to support the Government’s major infrastructure ambitions. In the second Insight in our series on the Bill, we discuss what changes to the NSIP regime have and have not been included and the implications for those navigating the system.
Insights
Mar 14, 2025
Planning and Infrastructure Bill – The Next Step on the Road to Planning Reform
The much trailed Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduced to Parliament on 11 March covers wide ranging changes to the conventional planning process, CPO, development corporations and infrastructure planning.  It is an ambitious piece of legislation, designed to support delivery of the Government’s housing and critical infrastructure targets and drive growth, and introduces some novel measures. 
Insights
Jan 24, 2025
Government’s bold move to reduce legal challenges to NSIPs
The Government has confirmed it will introduce legislation to reduce the number of attempts claimants have to secure permission to legally challenge a DCO. 
Insights
Jan 17, 2025
Significant changes to CPO regime under consideration
Two significant consultations opened at the end of last year, the first by the Government and the second by the Law Commission, seeking views on proposed changes to CPO law and process. In the first of this two part series, we consider the Government consultation and what the changes it proposes may mean for acquiring authorities and those whose land or interests may subject to a CPO.
Insights
Dec 18, 2024
NSIP planning: What’s changed in 2024 and on the horizon for 2025?
2024 has been a year with a continued focus on the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning (‘NSIP’) planning regime by both the predecessor and current government. Reforms to make the regime faster and more effective remain a high political priority given its critical role in delivering infrastructure to support a number of key government objectives. Operational changes identified in the previous government’s various reform programmes and action plans continued to be delivered, with the new Labour government introducing some changes and proposals of its own. This blog highlights some key changes made to the NSIP planning regime delivered in 2024 with thoughts on what to expect in 2025.
Insights
Dec 18, 2024
What’s new in the updated NPPF?
On 12 December 2024, the updated NPPF consulted on over the summer, came into immediate effect.  The pro-development changes aim to increase housing delivery, support development generally and in particular key growth sectors whilst placing a stronger emphasis on sustainability, tackling climate change and promoting green energy.