39 Essex Street silk receives OBE for planning law contribution

Richard Harwood QC has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to planning and environment law decision-making.

Harwood, a barrister at 39 Essex Street, said: “It was a very nice surprise. It is pleasant to be recognised for some of the things that I have done. The support of colleagues in Chambers has been of great assistance."

Harwood was appointed a silk in 2013.

Senior figures recognised in the list for services to local government included Kent County Council Leader Cllr Paul Carter, who received a CBE.

Those to receive an OBE included Ann Lucas, member of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, Cllr Gordon Nicholson, leader of Eden District Council, and Cllr Geoff Little, deputy chief executive of Manchester City Council.

In the legal profession, other awards went to former Law Society President Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, who received a CBE for services to legal aid, former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer, who was given a KCB, and Crown Prosecution Service policy adviser Pamela Bowen, who was given a CBE for services to law and order and human trafficking criminal prosecution policy in particular.