There have been predictions for some time that the AI tech bubble may be approaching a tipping point and that, as a result, the stock market could be due a correction. This has made me wonder: given the recent demand for planning lawyers at all levels, are we also seeing a recruitment bubble emerge in this sector? It is true that demand for lawyers in this area has increased sharply over the past five years, as planning teams have continued to grow and backfill roles in response to rising client demand. As I write this, I am managing a variety of vacancies at all levels across the UK. In addition, practices are showing a keen interest in hiring at a strategic level, with many looking to invest at Partner level to capitalise on increased demand for legal services across the wider built environment sector. In my view, much of this current demand is driven by a number of structural factors. These include long‑overdue investment in essential infrastructure such as water, energy, rail and interconnectors, as well as investment in new technologies supporting economic development — including renewable and nuclear energy, data centres, and airport expansion at Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow. Added to this, the growth of new towns and smart cities, alongside the continued need for affordable housing, means there remains a strong pipeline of projects for planning lawyers to grapple with. That said, although the portfolio of projects is healthy, there are factors that could undermine the appetite to see these projects through. Global markets and financing conditions are the most obvious. While I do not anticipate a financial shock on the scale of the 2008/09 crisis, a market correction could certainly have an impact. Geopolitical events also remain a constant risk, although there appears to be a growing acceptance that this is the new normal. With the current government now around 18 months into its term, there is still time for growth strategies to be followed through. Recent planning reforms are a strong indication that we are heading in the right direction, although debate remains as to whether these changes will meaningfully speed up delivery and whether they will be sufficient to encourage further investment and growth. For now, however, it is largely business as usual. I expect planning lawyers to remain busy, with recruitment staying steady for as long as teams continue to operate at or near capacity.
Stuart Phillips is a Managing Consultant at Origin Legal and can be contacted on 01206 326 904/07725 246857 or at [email protected]
