Chris is an Associate in the Planning and Environment team, and has experience of advising on planning and environmental consenting matters for a number of high-profile, high-value energy projects across the UK.
He previously worked as a solicitor at one of Scotland’s largest planning authorities, where he advised decision-makers on all aspects of the planning process, and acted as legal advisor to the planning committee. He now frequently advises developers, including those in the energy and housebuilding sectors, on planning strategy and EIA issues, appeals, legal agreements, compulsory purchase, planning enforcement and contentious planning disputes.
Chris also provides advice on environmental matters, including Habitats Regulations Appraisals, CAR licensing, environmental permitting and statutory nuisance.
- Advising on Section 36 Consent applications for a range of renewable developments in Scotland, including onshore and offshore wind projects, solar, battery storage, and pumped storage hydro.
- Advising on Development Consent Order applications for nationally significant clean energy infrastructure, including offshore wind, solar projects, and carbon capture and storage.
- Advising on the use of compulsory purchase powers available to licence holders under the Electricity Act 1989 to secure land and access rights for renewable energy projects.
- Advising a housebuilder on the consenting process for a proposed new settlement.
- Advising solar developers on issues around BMV and prime agricultural land.
- Advising a developer on its successful defence of a legal challenge brought by an objector group against the grant of planning permission for its renewable energy project.
- Advising a developer on the application of NPF4 flood risk policy.
- Advising a successful objector on its opposition to the compulsory acquisition of land in which it held an interest.
- Advising an aquaculture operator on a range of environmental licensing issues, including appeals to the Scottish Ministers.
- Advising a developer in the leisure sector on its successful appeal against a planning enforcement notice, including obtaining an award of expenses against the planning authority.
- Advising developers on planning legal agreements for a range of residential, commercial and renewable developments.
