Latest news with #AlexMadden
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Hugh James Planning Team Marks 'Transformational' Year of Growth
Top 100 UK Law Firm Hugh James is marking a 'significant milestone' in the evolution of its planning practice. Since the appointment of Alex Madden as Partner and head of planning and environmental in July 2024, the planning team has grown in both size and scope. The firm says it now has new clients, complex projects, and key hires under its belt. 'It's been an action-packed 12 months,' Alex said. 'We've supported the firm's commercial property team on standout deals like Rockwool's new manufacturing base at Peddimore and Pobl's land acquisition at Cardiff's Plas Dŵr. We've also facilitated critical conversations around housing delivery in Wales, including a roundtable with Lee Waters MS focused on unlocking social housing.' The team now includes Senior Associate, Hannah Mannion, who specialises in energy and renewables, and soon to be assistant solicitor Ben Bowen who will qualify in September 2025. The team's growth over the past year has significantly boosted their capacity to support the firm's national housebuilder client base across both contentious and non-contentious work, it said. The introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for certain developments, updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – including the new 'grey belt' classification – and proposed legislative reforms via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill all signal an increasing demand for commercial planning advice, said the firm. Further changes are in the pipeline, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) publishing a working paper proposing reforms to site thresholds in the planning system to better support housing delivery across different types of sites and launching a consultation on proposed reforms to planning committees. Defra is also consulting on BNG implementation for NSIPs and minor, medium and brownfield developments. Alex believes these developments only underscore the importance of having a strong, agile legal team in place. 'Our expansion means we're not just meeting our clients' needs – we're anticipating them,' he said. 'We're now able to offer a cradle-to-grave service that ensures continuity, clarity and strategic input at every stage of a project. That's a win-win for clients new and old.' The team is advising on significant residential schemes in the South West. These include the landmark Selwood Garden Community comprising 1,700 homes, a major mixed-use development of around 400 units at Nailsea within the Green Belt, and a residential-led scheme at Trull delivering 125 new homes. Recent client wins include Wain Estates, Wain Homes, and Land Value Alliances. This strategic growth reflects Hugh James' wider vision for its planning and environmental team, and delivers on the ambitions set out when Alex was first appointed, the firm said. 'We knew that planning and environmental law was becoming a bigger priority for our clients,' said Alex. 'That's why we invested in building a market-leading team, and now we're delivering on that promise.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hancock County High School graduates 120
HAWESVILLE — Hancock County High School said goodbye to its Class of 2025 on Friday night during a graduation ceremony in the school's gymnasium, which was packed to the rafters with family, friends and well-wishers. Principal Ginger Estes said the class of 120 students is filled with 'incredible individuals.' 'They're go getters; they have lots of grit, and they're going to go places,' said Estes, who cited the class' academic work as one of the aspects that made it stand out. 'We have almost 100% transition ready. They either met benchmark for academics or they met benchmark for career. So they've either been certified in some kind of pathway or they met their ACT benchmark, so we're really very proud of that.' Alex Madden, class president, was the graduate speaker and spoke of the memories the class made and how they have bright futures. He also reflected about the importance of living in the moment. 'It was great, and there is no place I would rather be,' said Madden of HCHS. 'One thing that stands out is how Hancock County is the place I love, and I think what makes it so special is all the people. Anytime there is a tough time, everyone shows up. I think it's a great tight-knit community. I made a lot of friends, made a lot of memories. It's been fun.' Thirty-three members of the class were recognized for academic excellence: Summa Cum Laude: Hayden Decker, Ayvah Dixon, Baylee Estes, Addison Ferry, Raylee Higdon, Samuel Huff, Sarah Huff, William Kessinger, Katie Kruger, Lily Lindauer, Samantha McManaway, Zachary Mucker, Lawes Payne, Maddox Simpson, Brenton Smith and Shane Wedding. Magna Cum Laude: Jaden Drone, Wyatt Emmick, William Haycraft, Declan Lewko, Landon Mooneyham, Keegan Powers and Christopher Zablocki. Cum Laude: Carson Clark, Ealum Colbert, Ethan Compton, Kyla Duncan, Savannah Gilliland, Presley King, Haylee Lanum, Dylan Roberts and Samuel Sanders. Baylee Estes, class secretary, was trying to come to terms with her high school career ending. 'It's kind of crazy, because it feels like I just started high school yesterday,' she said. 'To be at this point right now is crazy. I can't even believe it right now.' Estes said it felt like the year flew by. 'There was a lot of different activities going on through my senior year, so I feel like I was on the go all the time with either banquets or senior awards or softball,' she said. 'All of the things just kept coming.' Estes said she is going to miss the support she has received from classmates and staff. 'I just feel like everyone in this community is so together,' she said. 'The bond everyone shares is kind of like everyone is for each other.' Estes plans to play softball at Centre College and study the pre-physical therapy track. Sarah Huff said she couldn't believe how fast the years went by. 'It's so surreal, actually,' she said. 'I've been here for four years, and it's really insane to graduate, because ever since we were little, in kindergarten, they told us 2025 is going to be here before you know it, and it really is, to be honest. 'It's just kind of insane to be graduating with all of these people that I've known for basically my entire life now.' Huff said spending time with her friends in marching band was a highlight of her senior year. Huff plans to attend the University of Louisville-Owensboro for its nursing program. 'I wanted to be a doctor, but med school is just not where I want to be at this point in my life, so nursing it is,' she said. 'I've always had the passion to help others, and being around these people made me want to be a nurse because I want to be a better person and make a change in this world.' Wyatt Emmick said reaching the end of high school 'doesn't really feel real.' But he's glad to see the finish line. 'You have to go through this for 12 years, and it's not very easy, and it's not very fun,' he said. 'But when you're done, you really miss it, I guess. That's what I've heard.'
