Brodies LLP is best known for its extensive public sector client roster though is also frequently instructed by notable developers and other private sector clients in high-profile projects, some of which involve environmentally sensitive locations, such as Loch Hourn. Aberdeen-based Elaine Farquharson-Black has a particular focus on the housebuilding sector, and handles a mixture of housing and mixed-use developments; she heads up the practice alongside the Edinburgh-based Neil Collar, whose strength lies in renewable energy projects. Karen Hamilton (Glasgow) assists local authorities promoting various infrastructure projects, with a focus on compulsory purchase orders and compensation matters.
Planning in Scotland
Brodies LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Neil Collar; Elaine Farquharson-Black
Autres avocats clés:
Karen Hamilton; Niall McLean
Les références
‘Their attention to detail is exemplary and they are on top of everything that’s going on in the planning world. They adapt and inform immediately of any changes to planning laws or potential issues. Can’t recommend them highly enough.’
‘Neil Collar is a consummate professional and leader in his field. He has worked with us on a very challenging planning application and has achieved excellent results. He is thorough, calm and has a wonderful ability to explain very complex legal jargon in layman’s terms.’
‘High level of expertise across all planning issues.’
Principaux clients
Scotia Homes
Stewart Milne Homes
First Endeavour
CALA Homes
KR Developments
Energiekontor
Thomson Quarries
Banks Renewables
Stonepack
Mowi Scotland Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised KR Developments on an appeal to the Scottish Ministers against refusal of a built-to-rent scheme by the Glasgow City Council.
- Advising Mowi Scotland Limited on an appeal to the Scottish Ministers against refusal by the Highland Council of permission for installation of larger pens and an increase of 250 tonnes in permitted biomass at its existing fish farm at Loch Hourn.
- Assisting Energiekontor with obtaining planning permission for four wind farm sites, totalling 190MW of electricity generation capacity.
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn‘s dedicated planning lawyers are specialists in residential developments and energy sector infrastructure projects, with recent instructions including a number of planning appeals, section 75 agreements and transactions requiring the firm’s broader environmental expertise. Edinburgh-based duo Colin Innes and Ewan MacLeod head the practice, which also includes residential sector expert Fraser Mitchell, who re-joined from Shoosmiths in September 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Colin Innes; Ewan MacLeod
Autres avocats clés:
Scott McCallum; Fraser Mitchell; Moray Thomson
Les références
‘We have always been very impressed with the service Fraser Mitchell provides.’
‘Very capable and experienced team of pragmatic individuals.’
‘Moray Thomson has been a strong guiding light to our planning endeavours for over two decades.’
Principaux clients
Taylor Wimpey
Miller Homes
Airbnb
ScottishPower Group of Companies
Crosswind Developments Limited
Viridor
Hallam Land Management Limited
Aldi Stores
Clydeport
West Craigs
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Taylor Wimpey on the property development of a new town in East Lothian, a significant residential development in Scotland.
- Advising Statkraft on the refusal of planning permission for their Greener Grid Project at Neilston in Renfrewshire.
- Advising Ørsted Power UK Limited on the interfaces with the Net Zero Teeside Carbon Capture and Storage Project, including an objection to the Net Zero Teeside DCO.
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP‘s planning team is led by the Edinburgh-based Craig Whelton, an expert in the consenting of major infrastructure, residential and energy projects; it is a regular port of call to housebuilders, energy sector and strategic land clients on a range of matters, including planning applications, appeals and judicial reviews. The team also includes newly promoted senior associates Lynsey Reid, who acts on major developments across the UK, and Patrick Munro, an expert in offshore wind consenting matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Craig Whelton
Autres avocats clés:
Lynsey Reid; Patrick Munro
Les références
‘The team dealt with a planning appeal very professionally.’
‘Craig Whelton and Lynsey Reid were attentive and reassuring when dealing with complex matters pertaining to a planning appeal.’
‘Key practice in the Scottish field that punches well above their weight in terms of numbers.’
Principaux clients
Drax
CALA Management Limited
West Craigs Limited
ENGIE
Avant Homes (Scotland) Limited
Northbank Farm Development Limited
National Highways
Loch Long Salmon Limited
Canal & River Trust
Wind 2 Limited
Kellas Midstream Limited
Glen Turner Limited
Gladman Developments
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Drax on the Cruachan 2 pumped storage hydro Scheme, which is a 400MW extension to the iconic Cruachan “Hollow Mountain” hydro scheme in Argyll, Scotland.
- Continues to advise West Craigs Limited on the 1,400 house scheme in West Edinburgh, as well as a new primary school, healthcare centre and retail development.
- Advising Harbour Energy on the Viking CCS carbon capture and storage project.
CMS
With Robin Hutchison (Edinburgh) and Mark McMurray (Glasgow) at the helm, CMS’s team in Scotland is a regular advisor to developers, energy companies and local authorities; it has particular expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors but is also geared to handle major regeneration developments, including compulsory purchase orders, compensation and heritage planning issues. Elsewhere, the group handles judicial reviews, public inquiries and other contentious matters. Senior associate Keith Campbell is an essential contact in this space.
Responsables de la pratique:
Robin Hutchison; Mark McMurray
Autres avocats clés:
Keith Campbell; June Gilles
Les références
‘A strong planning team with complementary skills and access to a wider range of related skills including in depth knowledge and experience of commercial conveyancing in Scotland. There is also strong in-house support from the litigation department.’
‘Robin Hutchison has considerable expertise in the environmental aspects of planning law. His knowledge, skills and thoroughness of preparation can enable him to achieve successful outcomes that others might fail to do.’
‘Mark McMurray has the ability to draw out the best from a multidisciplinary team which is often necessary in complex planning and related cases.’
Principaux clients
Nuveen Real Estate
SSE plc
Abrdn
City of Edinburgh Council
EDF Energy Renewables
Landsec
Community Windpower Limited
Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
Hargreaves Land
ScottishPower Renewables
Shell
Inch Cape Offshore Limited/Red Rock Power
Stirling Council
Kincardine Offshore Wind Limited
National Grid
North Lanarkshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
Bakkafrost
Trump International
Falkirk Council
Resources Unlimited LLP
Copenhagen Offshore Partners
Scottish Enterprise
East Dunbartonshire Council
AMP Energy
Principaux dossiers
- Lead planning advisor to SSE on over 5.6GW of onshore and offshore wind, including Strathy South, Seagreen 1A, and the Dogger Bank Zone.
- Acting for Nuveen Real Estate on all planning, compulsory purchase and roads matters for the £1bn redevelopment of the St James Quarter.
- Advising Falkirk Council on the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Morton Fraser MacRoberts‘s planning expertise in the contentious sphere includes public local inquiries, most of which concern the construction of major road schemes, as well as compulsory purchase orders and judicial reviews. Team head and litigation expert Douglas Milne is an essential contact in this space alongside commercial litigator Kenneth Carruthers, both of whom are often supported by senior associate Cameron Greig. Also integral to the practice is Rory Alexander, namely for his experience in housing and regeneration projects, including planning agreements and appeals, compulsory purchase orders, and consenting work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Douglas Milne
Autres avocats clés:
Kenneth Carruthers; Rory Alexander; Cameron Greig
Les références
‘Knowledgeable and easy to contact, offering sound advice in a manner that’s easily understood and managed.’
‘Rory Alexander and the wider team are always proactive and focused on delivering the service required.’
Principaux clients
Transport Scotland
Wildland Limited
Tesco Stores Limited
Ministry of Defence
Historic Environment Scotland
Moray Council
Parabola
City of Edinburgh Council
NatureScot
Persimmon Homes Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Transport Scotland in the public local inquiries held for the £3bn dualling of the A9 trunk road from Perth to Inverness.
- Acting for the City of Edinburgh Council on a £1bn residential development at East of Millburn Tower, Edinburgh.
- Acting for Parabola Limited on the development of Edinburgh Park, securing planning consent for over 1m square feet of office development, over 2000 housing units, extensive parking, hotel, retail and related land uses.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Working in close collaboration with the firm’s other UK offices, Pinsent Masons LLP‘s team in Scotland is renowned for handling renewable energy consenting projects, many of which involve a cross-border element. Property and consenting expert Jennifer Ballantyne (Glasgow) heads the practice, which also acts for housebuilders and developers on planning applications, appeals and agreements for strategic land sites. Other recommended individuals include Gordon McCreath (Glasgow) and Gary McGovern (Edinburgh) for their energy, infrastructure and housing specialism.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jennifer Ballantyne
Autres avocats clés:
Gordon McCreath; Gary McGovern; James Gibson; Amy Stirling
Les références
‘Exceptionally thorough, with highly specialist knowledge of the renewable energy sector.’
‘Extremely adept at analysing complex issues and finding appropriate solutions.’
‘Gordon McCreath and Amy Stirling are both very impressive, having an eye for detail but also the bigger picture.’
Principaux clients
Berwick Bank Wind Limited
Morven Offshore Wind Ltd
Thistle Wind Partners
Ossian Offshore Wind Limited
Buchan Offshore Wind Limited
Statkraft
Glenmucklock Pumped Storage Hydro Ltd
RWE Renewables UK Onshore Wind Ltd
Affinity Water
Cambridge Water
Seagreen Wind Energy Limited
CALA Group
Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd
Barratt Homes/David Wilson Homes
Orsted
The Pilkington Trust
Robertson Homes Limited
GreenPower Ltd
Peel
Forth Ports
Principaux dossiers
- Advice to SSE Renewables on the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, a 4.1GW project in the outer Firth of Forth.
- Advising Forth Ports on planning and marine licensing for the Port of Leith Renewable Energy Hub, a riverside marine berth capable of accommodating offshore wind installation vessels.
- Providing consenting advice to multiple offshore wind developers on various ScotWind sites, with a combined capacity approaching 10GW.
Addleshaw Goddard
The Glasgow-based Sarah Baillie heads up Addleshaw Goddard‘s planning and infrastructure team; she is also an essential contact within the firm’s power sector work, which reflects her strong profile in energy consenting matters. The team, which also includes the Edinburgh-based legal director Fiona Gordon, acts for private and public sector clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious planning matters, including retail, housing, mixed-use and regeneration developments.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sarah Baillie
Autres avocats clés:
Fiona Gordon
Les références
‘Sarah Baillie is widely experienced in planning law. She works effectively and in a relaxed manner to produce desired outcomes and inspire client confidence.’
‘Astute and commercially minded individuals with a broad range of experience and expertise across planning and development specialisms.’
‘Pragmatic, straight-talking and solution focused.’
Principaux clients
SSEN Transmission plc
SSE Renewables
Scotland Gas Networks plc
Alcemi Storage Developments UK Group of Companies
Scottish National Investment Bank
Aldi Stores Limited
Robertson Property
Redrock Power
Dandara
Clackmannanshire Council
Strawson Holdings
Legal & General
Highlands & Islands Airports Limited
Murray Group
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Alcemi Storage Developments UK Limited on consenting matters across a £5bn portfolio of commercial energy storage developments, with a mission to facilitate a zero-carbon power system.
- Assisting Aldi Stores Ltd with the development of new stores, including advising on judicial reviews and drafting planning agreements and appeals to the Scottish Ministers.
- Ongoing advice to Strawson Holdings Limited / Omnivale Limited on all Scottish sites, including a long-running appeal against a refusal of permission for housing by Fife Council.
Anderson Strathern
Anderson Strathern is a regular advisor to public sector players, developers, utility providers and private clients on a range of planning matters across the housing, retail, leisure, transport and energy sectors. Practice head Alastair McKie‘s expertise can be seen in compulsory purchase orders and compensation matters, as well as public inquiries, judicial reviews and planning appeals; the team’s contentious work is often handled in collaboration with the firm’s property litigation group. Legal director Chris Devlin is noted for his housing and renewable energy specialism.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alastair McKie
Autres avocats clés:
Chris Devlin
Les références
‘Detailed planning knowledge with a positive approach to matters. The friendly and accommodating attitude of the team continues to deliver against client expectations.’
‘A practice that solve problems and go above and beyond to help deliver a project.’
‘Chris Devlin is exceptional with detailed planning knowledge and attention to detail.’
Principaux clients
Shetland Space Centre Ltd
Edinburgh Airport Limited
East Lothian Council
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority
Eurowind A/S
Walker Group
Springfield Properties
INEOS
The City of Edinburgh Council
Buccleuch Estates
The Coal Authority
Chemring Energetics UK Ltd
Victoria Square Woking Limited
Livos Energy
Ross Estates Company
Pow of Inchaffray Commissioners
Dundas Estates
SESTRANS
Principaux dossiers
- Advice to Fife Council on their contested compulsory purchase order regarding the Glenwood Centre in Glenrothes, Fife.
- Advising Edinburgh Airport Ltd on a major planning appeal relating to the refusal by the City of Edinburgh Council for a new primary vehicular and active travel route access to the airport.
- Acting for the National Park Authority (NPA) in respect of a judicial review brought by Gartmore House, seeking to quash the adoption by the NPA of its core paths plan.
Burness Paull LLP
Under the leadership of solicitor advocate Alasdair Sutherland, Burness Paull LLP has particular expertise in contentious planning matters; its workload ranges from planning appeals, including those against the refusal of planning permissions, to judicial reviews and SEPA objections. On the non-contentious side, the team provides assistance with residential and mixed-use developments as well as with infrastructure projects. Much of the team's recent work stems from the housebuilding and renewable energy sectors.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alasdair Sutherland
Autres avocats clés:
Emma Dewar; Steven Stewart
Les références
‘Personable and knowledgeable team. They anticipate any issues before they arise and deal with them before they become a problem. Each discipline is represented well by articulate members. A joy to work with.’
‘Alastair Sutherland is straightforward and knowledgeable. He guides us through the many planning issues that we have.’ John Sinclair – the most commercially astute solicitor that i have worked with which makes our life easy!’
‘Accessible and available with sound advice given.’
Principaux clients
Robertson Group
DDR (UK) Limited
Carmichael Homes
Destiny Scotland Limited
TJ Morris Limited
Ogilvie Homes Limited
Ashley Vintners (Strathclyde) Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Ogilvie Homes Limited in a successful Court of Session appeal by West Lothian Council against the Scottish Ministers’ decision to grant planning permission to Ogilvie for a housing development at Hens Nest Road, East Whitburn.
- Advised DDR (UK) Limited on a planning appeal against Fife Council’s refusal of permission for a mixed-use development at the Prestonhill Quarry site near Inverkeithing, Fife.
- Advised TJ Morris Limited on their appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of a Home Bargains retail unit with an outdoor garden centre at Dunlin Drive, Dunfermline.
Gillespie Macandrew LLP
Gillespie Macandrew LLP is a regular advisor to landowners, public sector clients, and energy and infrastructure providers. The team is led by the Edinburgh-based Colin Hamilton, whose planning and environmental expertise ranges from planning applications to appeals and judicial reviews. Elsewhere, Sandy Telfer (Glasgow) is equipped to guide large-scale housing developments through relevant planning processes.
Responsables de la pratique:
Colin Hamilton
Autres avocats clés:
Sandy Telfer; Nadia White
Les références
‘A connected and experienced team providing clear advice.’
‘Colin Hamilton provided excellent commercial advice and was backed up by an efficient team.’
Principaux clients
Seagreen
Viking Energy Wind Farm
SSE Renewables
Berwick Bank Wind Farm Limited
Dundee City Council
Crematoria Management Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Viking Wind Farm on all aspects of the £1bn 450MW windfarm development.
Davidson Chalmers Stewart
With the Edinburgh-based director Jacqueline Cook at the helm, Davidson Chalmers Stewart is capable within both the non-contentious and contentious planning spheres. The team is geared to support on renewable energy projects, including those pertaining to onshore wind, as well as residential and mixed-use developments, which often involve planning agreements, obligations and appeals, among other contentious matters.
Les références
‘Jacqueline Cook is always very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She is not afraid to provide honest advice, even if this does not meet what the client hoped to hear.’
‘Responsive and engaged.’
‘This is a firm that has a strong reputation in the planning field, and rightly so.’
Principaux clients
Peel NRE
Tartan Leisure Ltd
Chris Stewart Group
WKN GmbH
AcalisCare
JW Muir Group PLC (incl Muir Homes Ltd, Hermiston Securities Ltd)
Lochay Homes Ltd
M & J Ballantyne
RT Overseas Settlement
Ogilvie Homes Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Ogilvie on its successful appeal to the Court of Session against the Scottish Ministers’ repeated refusal of their housing proposals.
- Advice to Peel Group on all its renewable energy projects in Scotland, including contract negotiation with third parties to ensure the satisfaction of pre-commencement planning conditions to enable development to begin.
- Continuing to advise Tartan Leisure Limited on its leisure scheme that will deliver Scotland’s first artificial, inland surfing lagoon. This includes planning advice on consenting strategy, applications, EIA and planning obligations.
Harper Macleod LLP
Although best known for its extensive public sector client roster, Harper Macleod LLP‘s planning and environment team is a go-to for housebuilders and energy sector players across various planning matters. Peter Ferguson (Glasgow) anchors the group’s non-contentious offering, which has included a number of renewable energy projects, while Jennifer Jack (Edinburgh) is an essential contact for contentious matters, such as judicial reviews, planning appeals and inquiries into the decisions of public authorities, regulators, courts and other tribunals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Ferguson; Jennifer Jack
Autres avocats clés:
Calum Gee
Les références
‘Strong background in advising public sector clients, offering cost-effective advice and representation.’
‘Jennifer Jack and Peter Ferguson are very experienced with sound judgement and a personable manner.’
‘Jennifer Jack is a very prominent public law specialist who has recently appeared in many high-profile planning inquiries. She quite correctly has received many professional accolades in the past.’
Principaux clients
NatureScot
Marine Scotland
Forestry and Land Scotland
Cairngorms National Park Authority
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Moray Council
The Highland Council
City of Edinburgh Council
Orkney Islands Council
Fife Council
Glasgow City Council
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Greenpeace UK
Fred Olsen Renewables
EnergieKontor
Capital Dynamics
Octopus Energy
JLEN/Foresight
Maple Power Limited
Metka EGN Ltd
Statkraft UK
Green Power
Advance Grid Solutions
St Andrews University
MCR Property Group
Scotia Homes
Capper Developments
Persimmon Homes
Halfords Group
Hillhouse Quarry Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners on the planning and environmental aspects of the acquisition of a consented 210MW pumped storage hydro and 33.6MW renewable energy scheme at Glenmuckloch.|
- Represented NatureScot at a public local inquiry regarding the proposed Clauchrie Wind Farm.
- Advised Centrica on the acquisition of a 30MW energy storage system in Dyce, Aberdeenshire.
Shoosmiths
Drawing on its close collaboration with the firm’s wider real estate practice, Shoosmiths’ strength lies in advising national housebuilders on residential developments. Practice head Geraint Hughes, who was promoted to principal associate in September 2022, handles both contentious and non-contentious planning matters; his client roster further includes strategic landowners, national retailers, financers, and leisure and tourism operators.
Responsables de la pratique:
Geraint Hughes
Les références
‘Shoosmiths strike a good balance between providing legal advice and providing a commercial view on risks involved. They are very proactive in providing such advice and helping with decisions that need to be made around land purchase and building contracts.’
Principaux clients
Graham’s the Family Dairy Limited
Welsh Power
Watkin Jones
Bellway Homes
Dunbar Golf Club
Coppergreen Developments
Boots UK Limited
Revolution Bars Group
Robertson Developments Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Welsh Power in connection with planning agreements to secure the release of planning permissions for two Synchronous Condenser developments at Thurso and Neilston.
- Advised Bellway Homes on the negotiation and conclusion of planning agreements, playing a key role in the delivery of 2,238 homes across Scotland.
- Advised Coppergreen Investments Limited, owners of 4 holiday lodge parks, on the £91m sale of the Coppergreen brand and property to a UK holiday resort operator backed by CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII.