“I have specialised in planning and consenting of major developments for over 20 years. I enjoy working with clients in the public and private sectors, and being able to see the projects we work on become a reality.”

Craig specialises in development projects across the UK for both private and public sector clients.

He advises on all aspects of the consenting of major developments, including site appraisal and consenting strategy; application review, including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA); stakeholder engagement and consultation; legal agreements; inquiry and hearing advocacy; and judicial review and statutory challenges. He also advises both acquiring authorities and affected parties on compulsory purchase.

Craig has advised clients across the UK on Town and Country planning, section 36, Development Consent Order (DCO) and Development of National Significance (DNS) applications, and legal challenges in both Scotland and England & Wales.

Areas of practice include:

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

2004: Scotland
2013: England and Wales

Relevant experience

Advising offshore wind developers on the onshore and offshore consenting of ScotWind and Intog offshore wind farms, including floating wind.
Advising on onshore wind projects across the UK, including consenting strategy, EIA/HRA review, applications and appeals.
Advising on solar development projects across the UK, including consenting strategy, EIA/HRA review, applications and appeals.
Leading planning due diligence on behalf of funders, purchasers and vendors across all renewable technologies, such as hydrogen, BESS, on and offshore wind and solar.
Residential and mixed use developments, including advising on planning applications, appeals and local development plans.
Largescale infrastructure projects, including ports & harbours and transport schemes.
Appearing as planning appeal advocate in hearings and inquiries, including DNS and DCO hearings.
Advising on planning legal challenges in the Court of Session and High Court.
Advising Drax on development at the Cruachan pumped storage hydro scheme, including the section 36 consent for the Cruachan 2 extension.
Advising Harbour Energy on its DCO application for the Viking carbon capture and storage project serving the Humber area.
Advising West Craigs on a major housing development in West Edinburgh, including securing consent for 1,500 housing development on appeal.
Advising Voltalia on section 36 onshore wind and solar developments.
Representing housebuilders on successful judicial challenges to decisions of Scottish Ministers.
Advising funders on Beatrice and Moray East offshore wind farms.
Advising North Lanarkshire Council on the promotion of compulsory purchase orders for major redevelopment in Cumbernauld, including representing the Council at CPO hearing.
Representing City of Edinburgh in major retail inquiry and the hearings and inquiry for the Former Royal High school proposal.
Advising Falkirk Council on compulsory purchase matters, including appearing at CPO inquiry.

“Craig is a wealth of knowledge across all development sectors. He is highly responsive and provides excellent advice.”

Chambers (2025)

Further testimonials

“Craig has become very deeply embedded in our project team and has provided a high-quality and very responsive service to help us meet recent deadlines.”

Chambers (2025)