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We work closely with our clients on large and complex matters that demand a creative, strategic and commercial approach to environment and planning issues.

As project stakeholders face increasing public and regulatory scrutiny as they navigate environment and planning matters, it’s important to anticipate issues and proactively manage them to avoid negative public perception and regulatory risk. We will work closely with you to understand where weaknesses may lie, to ensure that proactive steps are taken to minimise these risks.

Early involvement in projects means we can help to develop robust and best practice land acquisition and environmental approval strategies, to identify key issues and mitigate risk of disputes as the project progresses. We understand that environment and planning challenges can impact the commercial viability of your project, and will help you to keep your project on track and on budget.

Our global team acts on high profile, high risk projects and schemes within energy, infrastructure, mining, urban development and urban regeneration sectors. We work closely with our real estate, corporate, disputes and projects teams, and engage external technical consultants, to offer an end-to-end service on such projects.

We bring together experts in land access and acquisition, environment and planning, regulatory approvals, native title and indigenous cultural heritage to provide you with seamless and integrated project advice. We can also assist  with environmental crisis prevention and management by sharing our real and practical experience in responding to major incidents and crises which often involve multi-jurisdictional issues and coordination across speciality teams.

Experience

Melbourne Metro Rail Project

Advising on all environment, planning, land assembly, historic and Aboriginal heritage, land acquisition and property matters on the landmark A$12 billion Melbourne Metro Rail Project in Melbourne, Australia. 

NSW Government

Advising on the planning aspects and planning issues for the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) projects in New South Wales – which is an Australian first.  This includes providing ongoing strategic support and advice on the CWO Renewable Energy Zone and four other REZ projects, including an offshore wind component

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Olympic Dam

Advising BHP Billiton on environmental impact assessment, cultural heritage and groundwater issues associated with the proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia

Gatwick Airport

Advising in relation to its new masterplan for the airport and on the promotion of a development consent order (DCO) to authorise a £500 million airport reconfiguration project to turn the emergency runway into a second operational runway and related plans for enhanced airport infrastructure including hotels, retail and significant related highway works

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Brockton Everlast

Advising on the redevelopment of Newcombe House, located above Notting Hill Gate underground station. This is a major development scheme of strategic importance in a prominent location in Central London. Planning permission for the project was granted by the Secretary of State in June 2020 following a call-in inquiry

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British Land

Advising on all aspects of its development at Canada Water, London including planning and construction advice. The project at Canada Water which will include a new residential-led, mixed use space. The project at Canada Water will feature 5 million sq ft of indoor space and take up to a decade to build. Planning permission for the masterplan was granted in May 2020, following a year-long negotiation of the section 106 agreement for the project. The planning permission is the largest ever granted in the London Borough of Southwark and in the UK.

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Australian environment, planning and communities blog

Explore our comprehensive insights into managing large, complex projects, environmental and planning matters, best practices for land acquisition, environmental approval strategies, and risk mitigation in disputes.

Key contacts

Heidi Asten photo

Heidi Asten

Partner, Melbourne

Heidi Asten
Peter Briggs photo

Peter Briggs

Partner, Sydney

Peter Briggs
Melanie Debenham photo

Melanie Debenham

Partner, Perth

Melanie Debenham
Catherine Howard photo

Catherine Howard

Partner, London

Catherine Howard
Kathryn Pacey photo

Kathryn Pacey

Partner, Brisbane

Kathryn Pacey
Matthew White photo

Matthew White

Partner, London

Matthew White