Building, developing land or challenging a decision: putting your planning project on a sound legal footing

Sophie Maréchal, a lawyer practising in French planning law, assists individuals, businesses and local authorities with planning-authorisation applications and disputes with public authorities.

Planning law comprises the rules governing building and land development: what may be built, to what height, how far from a property boundary and subject to which restrictions.

The procedures can be complex, and decisions by the relevant authority—whether a town hall or prefecture—can have significant implications for your project.

Her role is to help put your project on a sound legal footing and protect your interests by providing clear, accessible advice at every stage, from preparing the application through to any administrative challenge or court proceedings.

Sophie Maréchal assists with applications for planning authorisation. Her work includes assessing the project’s legal feasibility, identifying the applicable rules and assisting with the preparation of the application.

• A building permit (permis de construire)
• A development permit (permis d’aménager)
• A prior declaration of works (déclaration préalable de travaux)

Where an adverse decision is made, it can often be challenged by an administrative request for reconsideration (recours gracieux)—a request asking the authority to review its decision—or by bringing proceedings before the French Administrative Court.

She advises on the available remedies and represents clients before the French Administrative Court to protect their projects and rights.

• A refusal of a building permit
• A refusal of a development permit
• A decision objecting to a prior declaration
• Any decision imposing unlawful requirements

She provides tailored assistance whether you are pursuing a project—construction, an extension, subdivision of land or a change of use—or facing an adverse administrative decision concerning a planning authorisation.

If court proceedings are unnecessary or unsuitable, she will explain this openly and may suggest a fresh application, changes to the project or an administrative request for reconsideration.