Dan Hemming

As an experienced planning partner, I'm directly involved in a number of significant development projects, especially major town and city centre regeneration schemes and infrastructure projects. I am client partner for several public authority clients, notably Transport for London and Solihull MBC.

Tel: +44 (0)121 214 1082

Email: dan_hemming@wragge.com

Best brains in ...

Promoting and procuring confirmation of compulsory purchase and related orders for major development and infrastructure projects. Resolving difficult issues inhibiting the grant of planning permission for complex development schemes and the 'techy' side of highway law.

Highlight of your career so far?

Work associated with procuring planning permission for the last major expansion of Birmingham International Airport. Also, advising English Heritage on the effects of the proposed improvement of the A303 Trunk Road upon the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, including presentation of the case at public inquiry.

Most challenging job you've ever done?

Acting for Cambridge City Council, Grosvenor and USS regarding the Grand Arcade, Cambridge. It involved preparing compulsory purchase order documentation and proving the case at public inquiry for this complex, multi-level city centre retail scheme with its linkage to the existing Lion Yard Shopping Centre and related satellite development proposals, including a new facility for John Lewis.

What's your definition of going the extra mile ……. And when have you done it?

Guiding a client through a highly political situation concerning a major infrastructure project. It included attending a difficult evening meeting with a group of local authority members after a vote of no confidence in officers and consequently reassuring the client's managing director and operations director over drinks in a hotel bar!

Best example of a creative legal solution?

Identifying an unusual, but convenient, legal mechanism for adjusting highway and land ownership boundaries to facilitate a major development scheme in London, unknown to the developer's lawyers - a top-five London firm!

How do you get under the skin of a client's business?

In my capacity as client partner for several public authorities, making time to understand their strategies and policies is essential. An appreciation of their sensitivities and concerns regarding risk management, as well as their reputation in the local area, is also paramount.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

Sponsoring various charitable events.

What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?

I was once described as someone who 'exudes calm and authority'.