In March 2021, Chris was voted the No1 Planning Barrister in England and Wales by over 200 of the country’s leading planning solicitors and planning consultants (Planning magazine annual survey). Chris won the leading Queen’s Counsel category, as well as the leading barrister for residential work: Respondents to the survey observed “He steps up from last year’s equal second ranking, reaching the summit for the first time, only three years after taking silk. Young also leads out table of barristers ranked highest for their work in the residential sector, repeating his success last year.” “His track record at appeal is extraordinary. He is also easy to work with and has a keen sense of humour, which can often help to diffuse tensions within a team.” “He wins his cases through a combination of attention to detail, close collaboration with the team and massively effective cross-examination.” “Chris is a high-level thinker who is very well connected with what is going on at a national level”.
Chris acts for all of the UK’s leading house builders such as Barratt, Bellway, Bloor, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon and most of the major land promoters such as Peel, St Modwen, Hallam Land, Harrows Estates, Gleeson, UKSL, IM Properties, Welbeck and Richborough Estates. He also acts for regional and local house builders and developers, care operators, logistics firms, MSA operators, schools, universities, the leisure sector, religious organizations, farmers and individuals.
He has an enviable track record at planning appeals, many of which are cases recovered by the Secretary of State.