Freeths launches planning practice in Birmingham with strategic partner hire

National law firm Freeths has continued to expand its market leading Planning and Environment Group with the appointment of Partner Cairo Nickolls to establish the practice in Birmingham. He joins from Gowlings.

With more than 12 years’ experience, Cairo has worked across a wide range of planning matters including housebuilding; strategic land; industrial and logistics; and regeneration sectors, acting for a range of developers, public authorities and landowners. He has a particular focus on advising on planning strategy, S106 agreements, appeals and inquiries, application reviews, environmental impact assessments and transactional support. Cairo has also undertaken innovative work in relation to BNG and natural capital matters. 

Cairo has led on a number of major planning projects including:

• Advising Bloor Homes on various large, residential-led schemes through England; 
• Acting for Bellway Homes on many of its strategic schemes, both at a local level and on appeal; 
• Providing planning advice to Mulberry Commercial Developments in relation to the delivery of large and innovative industrial and logistics spaces; and
• Leading the planning legal advice in relation to one of the UK’s biggest regeneration schemes. 

Led by Paul Brailsford, Partner and National Head of Planning and Environment, the team will work with Cairo to develop a leading practice across the West Midlands. 

Commenting on the recent hire, Paul Brailsford said: “Cairo’s appointment comes at a pivotal point for planning reforms across the UK and his wealth of experience will prove invaluable as we look to strengthen our offering. Cairo’s appointment follows that of Partners Chris May and Alison Ogley, and Director Sarah Phillips over the couple of years. These hires demonstrate our commitment to growing our national planning practice which has been ranked in the top 10 and fastest growing in the UK over the last two years by the Planning Law Survey 2025.”

Cairo Nickolls added: “I am very much looking forward to working with Paul and the wider team, contributing to the success and growth trajectory it has demonstrated over the last few years in particular. I am excited to join Freeths’ market leading practice in order to deliver high-quality results for clients.”