Alexandra Hastings-Smith is a solicitor in our Planning team and specialises in planning and regulatory law.
Alexandra brings to Wilkes a unique experience having worked in a law firm in Spain and within Local Government. This hands-on experience results in a profound understanding of the intricate inner-workings of in-house teams and a more globalised approach to matters.
Planning and Infrastructure:
Alexandra has particular experience in drafting and negotiating planning obligations; giving advice on permitted development right matters and development management matters and, dealing with planning enforcement matters.
Alexandra’s most recent work includes negotiating section 106 agreements in respect of developments, working with NHS clients to secure funds for healthcare infrastructure and advising on complex enforcement matters.
Alexandra also specialises in advising on other planning matters including planning appeals, statutory challenges and judicial review claim and town and village green matters. She also has experience in drafting highway agreements and dealing with criminal matters arising from the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 including unauthorised display of advertisements.
Alexandra acts for individuals, businesses, developers, landowners, and NHS bodies.
Regulatory:
On the regulatory side, Alexandra has experience with a range of regulatory matters involving providing advice on complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman and Monitoring Officers.
More recently, having worked on licensing matters within local government, Alexandra and the team have started to get involved on the licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and artificial intelligence.
In addition to this, Alexandra is a member of the sustainability committee which involves working alongside solicitors from other disciplines to drive Wilkes’ sustainability agenda forward, this also gives her an overview of the commercial market.