Matthew
Gray is a Partner specialising in Planning and Development

Matthew is a Chartered Town Planner with over 17 years of experience advising both the private and public sectors, specialising in roadside development of varying scales, planning strategy and out-of-town retail development.

He has acted on behalf of a number of high-profile roadside operators where he has advised on planning strategy and the promotion of Motorway Service Areas, Trunk Road Service Areas and individual drive-thru / fuel / EV development. In addition, he also has experience in putting into action strategies to deliver site-specific consents on retail parks throughout the UK on behalf of institutional clients and high-profile retail and leisure operators.

Matthew has worked across a range of sectors but with a particular focus on the roadside, retail and leisure sectors within England and Wales. As of April 2025, Matthew was promoted from Associate to Partner within the firm.

Key skills

• Specialising in roadside development including Motorway Service Areas and Trunk Road Service Areas.
• Significant experience in promoting drive-thrus throughout the UK.
• Promoting out-of-centre retail development in Retail Parks.
• Planning strategy
• Asset Management
• Retail assessments

Clients

• EG Group / Monte Blackburn
• Welcome Break Services Limited / Applegreen
• Roadchef Motorways Limited
• Starbucks and Development Partners.
• Popeyes and Development Partners.
• Assura PLC