Biography
Nicola is a Partner in the Irwin Mitchell Planning Team, with a particular expertise in mixed use regeneration projects and enabling developments. She acts for a wide variety of private sector clients, including house-builders, land promoters and development companies; retail developers, investment funds; care home providers and crematoria. She also regularly advises clients on the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Nicola has been mentioned in Legal 500, alongside the Southern Region Planning Team, which is tier one rated in both Chambers and the Legal 500.
Testimonials
"She understands planning law from so many angles." "Nicola is an exceptional individual with first-class technical knowledge and the ability to communicate the most complex matters in a digestible way." "Nicola provides high-quality advice and is extremely knowledgeable." Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Band 1)
'Nicola Gooch is brilliant and is a well-respected expert. She is great with clients and knows more about planning than most.'
Nicola Gooch is an exceptional individual with first-class technical knowledge and the ability to communicate even the most complex matters in a digestible way. She is dedicated, responsive, highly commercial, and an absolute joy to work with.'
‘Nicola Gooch is an inspiring role model for women in the industry. She is not only a thought leader and expert in her field, but she manages to maintain her day-to-day role for her clients, providing high quality and professional advice. She is also a joy to work with. She is always upbeat and positive.’ - Legal 500, 2025 (Leading Partner)
"Nicola is great to work with and always knows the answer to any query. She provides clear advice on relevant matters and we recommend Nicola to others." "Nicola is one of the leading planning lawyers in England. She is extremely hard-working and has a great manner." "She has an incredible knowledge of the planning system and can think creatively to find a resolution to complex matters. Nicola goes above and beyond - she puts her clients first and makes herself readily available when needed." Chambers & Partners, 2024 (Band 1)
"Nicola Gooch’s knowledge, passion and insight in planning-related matters is unrivalled. She is a pleasure to work with and her understanding of the sector ensures she is able to deliver client objectives." Legal 500, 2024 (Leading Individual)
"She has great knowledge and negotiating skills, and the ability to resolve fundamental problems with intellectual clarity... Nicola Gooch is easily contactable, very efficient and has a great tactical mind... An exceptional lawyer who is good at taking into consideration risk, strategy and commercial factors." - Chambers & Partners 2022 (Leading Individual - Band 2)
"Nicola Gooch is extremely knowledgeable and highly competent... Nicola Gooch is a brilliant lawyer with a great eye for detail. She does a fantastic job at simplifying complex legal issues and guiding clients through difficult tactical decisions. In doing so, Nicola has a great ability to think of creative ways to achieve the client’s objectives." - Legal 500 2022 (Leading Individual)
"I have worked with Nicola Gooch on a number of planning judicial reviews. She is extremely diligent and particularly adept at communicating with her clients, being able to step into her clients’ shoes with ease and think of creative solutions." – Legal 500, 2021 (Leading Individual)
"Nicola is an outstanding lawyer to deal with. She has the ability to give sound legal advice in a commercial and strategic way. Her clear and pragmatic advice is easy to digest, underpinned by a robust understanding of planning law and the legal system." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual – Band 2)
Nicola Gooch "is quick, effective and professional." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
Recent highlights
- Providing strategic advice and acting on the s.106 agreement for the regeneration of the North-East Quadrant of Lewes. The proposal will see a flood-damaged former industrial area replaced with a housing-led scheme involving 401 houses, with leisure and retail facilities; town squares; enhanced flood defences and a new river walkway; a bridge over the River Ouse; and transportation and pedestrian links to the wider road network in the town centre.
- Preparing the s.106 Agreement for an urban extension project in Harrogate involving 450 dwellings and a mixed-use local centre to include retail, primary school, village green, open space and associated infrastructure.
- Providing strategic planning advice on a residential led strategic development site in Chichester, including amendments to and the consolidation of the s.106 Agreements applying to the site. The development includes over 500 dwellings, the provision of a new local centre and green infrastructure serving the site.
- Providing strategic advice and preparing the s.106 Agreements for several educational institutions’ relocation projects – typically including the development of a new campus, to be funded through the sale of a new residential development scheme on the site of the existing educational facility.
- Preparing the s.106 Agreement for a new Hospice facility, which is to be cross funded through the sale of a new residential development scheme on the site of the existing hospice facility.
