Leading Associates

Planning and environment in Ireland

A&L Goodbody LLP

The team at A&L Goodbody LLP is adept at handling contentious and non-contentious environmental, planning and climate action matters for a diverse set of domestic and international clients, including corporates, state bodies, local authorities, private developers, and financial institutions. Alan Roberts has longstanding experience of advising on planning and environmental issues arising from large energy and infrastructure projects and jointly heads the team with Alison Fanagan, who regularly defends clients against environmental prosecutions and nuisance claims. Jason Milne specialises in issues related to land contamination and remediation, while the trio of Kristen Read, Mark Thuillier, and Brendan Curran possesses substantial expertise in providing advice on renewable energy projects, health and safety law, environmental impact assessments, and enforcement actions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alan Roberts; Alison Fanagan


Autres avocats clés:

Jason Milne; Mark Thuillier; Kristen Read; Brendan Curran


Les références

‘Alison Fanagan leads a knowledgeable team who are great to work with. They offer commercial and practical advice and can lean on a deep understanding of the market and involvement in lots of transactions.’

‘The outstanding features of this team are their knowledge and ease of communication, as well as their responsiveness and ability to work with us and our other consultants, all as part of one large team.’

‘The individuals bring knowledge and clear communication ability and are pleasant to work with.’

Principaux clients

Transport Infrastructure Ireland


Uisce Éireann


Codling Wind Park Limited


EP UK Investments Ltd


BOC Gases Ireland Limited


Airbnb Ireland Unlimited Company


Quintain Developments Ireland Limited


EDF Renewable Ireland Ltd


Parkwind N.V.


HPREF ICAV


Sazerac Company, Inc


Gas Networks Ireland


PJ Hegarty & Sons UC


Fingal County Council


Net Zero Energy Limited


Coillte


Barryroe Offshore Energy plc


ESB


Ballycumber Wind Farm Limited


Blackrock Investment Management (UK) Lim


Aldgate Developments Limited


Power Capital Renewable Energy Limited


Irish Distillers Limited


ProAmpac UK Ltd


Bremore Ireland Port Designated Activity Company


Glenveagh Homes Limited


Knockacummer Windfarm Limited


Arklow Energy Limited


Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.


DWS/Deutsche Asset Management Limited


Johnson Service Group plc


Spencer Place Development Company Ltd


Allied Irish Bank plc


Grange Backup Power Ltd


Enva Ireland Ltd


Goldman Sachs


Raragh Developments Limited


Promontoria Holding


General Electric


Lejaro Unlimited Company


Recordati Ireland Limited


Freshstream Investment Partners LLP


Jones Day


Energia Group ROI Holdings DAC


Kingfisher Plc


British American Tobacco UK Limited


Northland Power Inc.


Queensgate Fusion Holdco 1 S.a.r.l.


Port of Waterford


Knockharley Landfill Limited


Castlelost Flex Gen Limited


Eirebloc Limited


Irish Waste Management Association


Lottomatica S.p.A.


Onyx Ireland


SSE Renewables (Ireland) Limited


Glenveagh Homes Limited


Pembroke Beach DAC


Citibank Europe Plc


Anglo Beef Processors Ireland UC


Wills Bros


IPUT Plc


HPREF Ireland Arena DAC


Danone SA


Inchee Energy Supply Limited


Skyborn Renewables offshore solutions GmbH


Cloncaragh Investments Limited


City ID Dublin Capel Limited


Derrysallagh Windfarm Limited


Doyle Shipping Group


CWTC Multi Family ICAV


citizenM Operations Holding B.V


SyBridge Technologies


Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP


Bewley’s Limited


Lagan Operations and Maintenance Limited


Minch Malt Limited t/a Boortmalt


CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Transport Infrastructure Ireland on all public law, planning, environmental, railway safety, general health and safety and compulsory purchase matters associated with the Dublin MetroLink project.
  • Advised Uisce Éireann on the Greater Dublin Drainage project, which comprises a new 500,000 population equivalent waste water treatment plant, pumping station, orbital sewer, outfall tunnel, and regional biosolids storage facility.
  • Advised Bremore Ireland Port on the necessary policy consideration that needs to be in place in advance of an application for development consent being made.

Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox has built a strong reputation for assisting clients with complex regulatory regimes and litigation challenges related to the environmental and planning aspects of major housing and construction projects. Under the leadership of Danielle Conaghan, the team advises on all stages of large-scale infrastructure projects, including securing consent, financing, construction, and operation. Yvonne Scannell has unrivalled expertise in the area of water, waste and resources law, while other key members of the team include Jeanie Kelly and renewable energy sector specialist Jacinta Conway.

Responsables de la pratique:

Danielle Conaghan


Autres avocats clés:

Jacinta Conway; Yvonne Scannell; Jeanie Kelly


Les références

‘We use Arthur Cox for all legal matters related to planning. AC manage each case very well and are consistently on top of the relevant issues and proceedings. Their advice is direct and pragmatic where it needs to be.’

‘We deal almost exclusively with Jacinta Conway. Jacinta is easy to deal with, responsive and on top of the subject matter. We are very happy with the service provided to us.’

‘The team consists of a group of experts who provide top-class environmental and planning advice, working with us to develop solutions to various new challenges that arise from our work. This is also in an environment where there is new and continually developing regulation that requires a team that can anticipate potential challenges and navigate the safest passage. The team is available at any hour or day to assist.’

Principaux clients

Wind Energy Ireland


Kilsaran


Irish Cement Limited


Strategic Power Projects


Cellnex


DP Energy


daa


Lionhead


Malone O Regan Environmental Services


Intel


Cairn Homes


Dawn Meats


Mallinckrodt


Storm Management NV


McGill Planning and Consultants


Durkan Construction


Hughes Planning


Corio Generation


Silvermount


Energia


Energia/Seven Hills


City ID


LDA


Stranwil Limited


Marlet


McCutcheon Halley


AWN


Dairygold


Greensource


Glanbia


Jacobs


RKD Architects


Boliden Tara Mines


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Corio Generation on all aspects of the development of the Sceirde Rocks 400MW offshore windfarm.
  • Acted for Irish Cement Limited/CRH in defending two judicial review challenges before the Court of Appeal to its proposal to replace fossil fuel at its cement factory in Co Limerick.
  • Advised Intel Ireland all planning and environmental aspects of its current operations and $8bn expansion project.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher is a specialist planning and environmental practice that has positioned itself as the go-to adviser to public sector companies looking for advice on regulatory and licensing matters related to environmental law. The firm acts as a one-stop shop for assistance with all matters related to the field, including due diligence, statutory appeals and injunctions, judicial reviews, and prosecutions. JP McDowell and Zoe Richardson co-head the practice and regularly advise regulatory bodies on enforcement actions, investigations, and prosecutions arising from offences and breaches of licences and legislation. Jonathan Moore and Rory Ferguson are also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

JP McDowell; Zoe Richardson


Autres avocats clés:

Jonathan Moore; Rory Ferguson


Les références

‘Fieldfisher have a strong planning and environmental team with a wealth of experience in the area. They help manage a busy and challenging litigation workload transparently.’

‘JP McDowell and Zoe Richardson provide excellent leadership. Jonathan Moore has a wealth of planning and environmental law knowledge. Rory Ferguson has great Irish and international experience in the area.’

‘Excellent technical strength and case management. Case documents and instructions provided through a document management system make it easy to access and retrieve papers, as necessary.’

Principaux clients

An Bord Pleanála (ABP)


Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)


Office of Planning Regulator


Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I


Inland Fisheries Ireland


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the EPA on a challenge brought by a large energy operator to an email issued as part of a pre-application consultation.
  • Acted for the EPA in the defence of an appeal against a decision of the High Court to grant an injunction restraining a large commercial peat operator from extracting peat in the absence of a licence.
  • Advised ABP on a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court brought by Crofton Buildings Management Company in respect of a decision of the High Court to remit a planning application to ABP.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP’s planning and environment team is known for advising on some of the most high-value and high-profile recent domestic and cross-border infrastructure projects. Deirdre Nagle heads the practice and regularly assists clients from the energy sector with planning and consent applications. Hannah Gallagher and Grainne Tiernan specialise in contentious matters and are experienced in representing clients in judicial review proceedings and injunctions. Other key members of the team include Jay Sattin and Elaine Keating.

Responsables de la pratique:

Deirdre Nagle


Autres avocats clés:

Grainne Tiernan; Jay Sattin; Hannah Gallagher; Elaine Keating


Les références

‘The strength in depth of the team and their robust knowledge of technical planning and environmental laws always lends itself to the MHC team delivering solid, pragmatic, and commercially minded advice to clients.’

‘Jay Sattin is very knowledgeable and offers practical solutions to clients on what they need to do to secure planning permission and environmental consent.’

‘Deirdre Nagle is a leading expert in planning and environmental matters in the Irish market. Grainne Tiernan is a talented lawyer and provides great service.’

Principaux clients

Elgin Energy Limited


SSE


RWE


Ørsted


FuturEnergy


EirGrid


Statkraft


Glenveagh


Ashcroft Developments


Uisce Eireann


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Ashcroft Developments in an appeal to the Supreme Court against an order of the High Court dismissing the client’s judicial review proceedings relating to the de-zoning of its lands in Co Meath from ‘residential housing’ to ‘community infrastructure’.
  • Advised Uisce Éireann on various matters related to the ongoing upgrading works of Ireland’s water and water treatment systems.
  • Advised SSE on all aspects of the planning and environmental elements of Phase II of the offshore Arklow Bank Wind Farm.

Matheson LLP

Matheson LLP continues to handle the full range of contentious and non-contentious environmental law matters, defending clients against regulatory prosecutions and advising on environmental risks and liabilities arising from large-scale infrastructure projects. Practice head Nicola Dunleavy SC is the go-to advisor for clients seeking advice on the climate change and planning and environmental aspects of new projects. Recently promoted partner Ruadhán Kenny regularly represents clients in judicial review proceedings, while Jill Hurley provides able assistance with planning applications.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nicola Dunleavy SC


Autres avocats clés:

Ruadhán Kenny; Jill Hurley


Les références

‘What stands out is the people, their knowledge and how approachable they are.’

‘Nicola Dunleavy SC is an expert in this field. She is always available and will resolve an issue. She approaches a matter from the outset by setting out timelines to meet expectations. She keeps you informed of recent case law.’

‘The team can navigate complex and novel planning and environmental legal issues while providing business-focused legal advice.’

Principaux clients

Mowi Ireland


Ecopower Ireland


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Mowi Ireland in three separate sets of judicial review proceedings brought by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Salmon Watch Ireland and Peter Sweetman against the grant of an aquaculture licence and a foreshore licence to the client for a site in Co Cork.
  • Acted for Ecopower in judicial review proceedings concerning an amending permission for the Knocknamona wind farm.

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP has built a strong reputation for offering expert planning and environmental advice on some of the most complex residential and public transport projects in Ireland. The team has a particularly strong foothold in the energy sector, assisting with both conventional and renewable energy projects for public sector entities. Brendan Slattery has extensive experience of handling mandates related to social housing projects and jointly heads the team with seasoned litigator Michelle Doyle, who specialises in risk management in relation to major infrastructure projects, particularly from a planning and environmental standpoint, with the valuable support of Sinéad Martyn, Karen Quigley, and Nathan Walsh.

Responsables de la pratique:

Brendan Slattery; Michelle Doyle


Autres avocats clés:

Sinéad Martyn; Karen Quigley; Nathan Walsh


Principaux clients

Ardstone Homes


Bartra Capital


Bord na Móna plc


Cairn Homes


Energia Group


ESB


Fingal County Council


Galway County Council


Glenveagh


Greenlink Interconnector


Greystar


Hammerson


Lioncor


Land Development Agency


Limerick City and County Council


MSD Ireland (Merck)


National Transport Authority


New Fortress Energy


Oakmount


Transport Infrastructure Ireland


Statkraft


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted the National Transport Authority with all planning and environmental support for the major BusConnects public transport project.
  • Assisted Statkraft with its successful application for a maritime area consent.
  • Advised Limerick City and County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the strategic defence of three significant judicial review challenges to An Bord Pleanála’s approval.

Philip Lee LLP

The environment and climate team at Philip Lee LLP manages a significant workload for public sector clients related to the construction of schools, transportation networks, and agriculture systems. This complements the team’s engagement in the private sector, where it regularly assists companies with the development of wind farm projects. Alice Whittaker, Rachel Minch SC, and Leonora Mullett co-head the practice and have longstanding experience of handling judicial reviews concerning transport, waste, and energy projects. Maeve Delargy is another key contact.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alice Whittaker; Rachel Minch SC; Leonora Mullett


Autres avocats clés:

Maeve Delargy


Les références

‘The Philip Lee team is a tight, efficient unit with a deep understanding of planning and environmental issues and risks which is unmatched in the market. The team is highly knowledgeable and has broad experience across a range of projects.’

‘Alice Whittaker provides extremely thorough legal advice and demonstrates a keen insight into topics relating to the changing legislative and regulatory landscape for large infrastructure projects in Ireland.’

‘Philip Lee has the best planning and environmental practice. The team are outstanding, with unparalleled expertise in Ireland. Their advice regularly goes above and beyond the nuts and bolts of the legislation and case law and gets into the practicalities of implications and scenarios for projects and clients. They put significant efforts into helping clients with finding solutions and the best outcomes for their clients and projects.’

Principaux clients

An Bord Pleanála


Aqua Comms


RWE Renewables Ireland Limited


Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland


ScottishPower Renewables/Iberdrola


Mainstream Renewable Power


Commissioner for Environmental Information


Emerging Markets Power


Department of Agriculture Food and Marine


The Marine Institute


Commissioners for Irish Lights


Colas Group


Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board


Coillte


Gyrogy Limited


Meridiam Partners


Doyle Shipping Group


Shannon Foynes Port Company


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted RWE Renewables Limited with the planning and environmental aspects of the Dublin Array offshore wind project.
  • Acting for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board in the defence of judicial review proceedings.
  • Assisted Emerging Markets Power with securing consent for the development of an extensive portfolio of onshore wind projects.

William Fry LLP

William Fry LLP continues to handle environment and planning matters for a diverse set of clients that features energy companies, high-value data centres, mineral refineries, energy grid operators, and multinational blue-chip companies. Of late, the team has been highly active in the renewable energy sector, assisting clients with environmental law-related due diligence. Conor Linehan SC possesses extensive expertise in matters related to waste management, land contamination, and environmental impact assessments and co-heads the team with Michelle Martin, who handles both contentious and non-contentious matters and specialises in environment-related judicial reviews and compliance investigations, with specific expertise in cases related to climate impacts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Conor Linehan SC


Autres avocats clés:

Michelle Martin


Les références

‘The team went above and beyond to get our matter done in a timely manner, in spite of a number of last-minute hurdles.’

‘Always on the end of an email or phone call. Timely and courteous responses.’

Principaux clients

Aughinish Alumina Limited


Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners


Fingal County Council


Diageo


Tirlán (formerly Glanbia)


Skyborn Renewables Offshore Solutions GmbH


Tesco Ireland Limited


Uniphar Plc


Poundland Limited t/a Dealz


Digital Realty Trust


Towercom Limited


SIRO Limited


EirGrid Plc


EngineNode Limited


Cooley Distillery/Beam Suntory


Quanta Capital


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised EirGrid plc on a proposed emergency development of additional electricity generation capacity to secure supply for the next number of years.
  • Represented Aughinish Alumina Limited in two planning judicial review challenges to its proposed multimillion-euro extension of certain operations at its alumina extraction plant at Askeaton, Co Limerick.
  • Advised Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on the planning and environmental issues related to the acquisition by its fund of 50% of Statkraft A/S’ offshore wind portfolio in Ireland.

Eversheds Sutherland

Eversheds Sutherland offers expert advice on the full spectrum of planning and environmental law matters, including impact assessment reviews, health and safety issues, and environmental litigation and dispute resolution. Skilled litigator Stephen Barry heads the practice and regularly represents property developers, financial institutions, and public sector bodies in contentious environmental matters, alongside Neil O’Mahony. Mark Varian’s practice focuses mainly on energy projects, while Aonghus McClafferty assists domestic and international clients from the construction sector. Aidan Kirrane and Philip Reynor are other key contacts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stephen Barry


Autres avocats clés:

Neil O’Mahony; Mark Varian; Aonghus McClafferty; Aidan Kirrane; Philip Reynor


Les références

‘A very strong team with a detailed understanding of the ever-evolving regulations and legislation. Provide clear, concise and practical advice. Reliable and have in-depth knowledge and vast experience in the area, which informs their advice. The planning and environmental team have guided us seamlessly through the newly established (and establishing) regimes, with a strong and detailed understanding of these regimes and their requirements relating to the development of projects.’

‘Stephen Barry is extremely knowledgeable and practical and gives concise and clear advice. In addition, given his experience and knowledge of the courts, he can apply this knowledge to any planning process and advise on reducing challenges and judicial reviews, which is extremely insightful and beneficial.’

Principaux clients

RWE Renewables


Regan Wall


Armstrong Planning


ES UK


Vantage DC


Microsoft


Pure DC


Richmond Homes


Hibernia Reit Plc


Kingspan Holdings (Ireland) Limited


CyrusOne Inc


Dublin Port Company


Dublin Airport Authority


Ashbourne Meats


Ballynagran Landfill Limited


Knockharley Landfill Limited


Black Lough Wind Farm Limited


Enros Wind Farm Limited


Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented daa, as the operator of Dublin Airport, in its claims in High Court proceedings that Dublin councillors acted unlawfully in prescribing aircraft noise mitigation measures that could cost the client some €1.8bn.
  • Advised a group of shareholders in Yellow River Windfarm Limited on a Commercial Court action against SSE Renewables relating to an agreement for the construction of a wind farm.
  • Advised Kingspan on an investigatory review of compliance and governance in its UK insulation boards business arising from its participation in the UK’s Grenfell Tower inquiry and identifying recommendations for implementation.

Addleshaw Goddard

The construction, planning and environment team at Addleshaw Goddard assists clients, both individuals and corporates, with all the planning and pre-planning processes of all types of commercial, residential and strategic development projects. A key area of expertise is advising clients on environmental and health and safety obligations. Margaret Austin heads the practice and has extensive experience of representing clients in court proceedings arising from breaches of environmental law. Kate Liddy-Cormican is also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Margaret Austin


Autres avocats clés:

Kate Liddy-Cormican


Les références

‘Very efficient and great communication.’

‘Competent, professional and courteous.’

‘The practice has a wide range of expertise.’

Beauchamps LLP

Beauchamps LLP’s planning and environmental team acts for clients from a vast range of sectors, including energy, waste, housing, industrial development, and commercial development. The team advises on all contentious and non-contentious matters related to planning, waste management and environmental law. Practice lead Stuart Conaty regularly assists residential developers and energy companies with consent applications and judicial review proceedings. Other key members of the practice include experienced litigator Sharon Delaney and Ainsley Heffernan, who has extensive expertise in handling complex wind farm, solar PV, energy storage, and aquaculture projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stuart Conaty


Autres avocats clés:

Sharon Delaney; Ainsley Heffernan


Les références

‘They are a solutions-orientated firm. They can provide clear advice with an excellent appreciation of the commercial realities facing their clients.’

‘On planning matters, I’ve worked with Stuart Conaty, who provided an excellent service. I’ve also worked with Ainsley Heffernan, who I would rate as exceptional in this field.’

‘Stuart Conaty and Ainsley Heffernan were always just a telephone call away, something which is very rare in this climate. They always make you, the client, feel like your issues are their own and your time is just as important as theirs.’

Principaux clients

ABO Wind


ART Generation


Bord na Móna


Clúid


Codling Wind Park


Dublin City Council


EDF Renewables


FuturEnergy Ireland


Mercury Renewables


RES Group


Respond


RWE Renewables


Simply Blue Energy Kinsale


Terra Solar


Údarás na Gaeltachta


Western Power


Wind Energy Ireland


Source Galileo


Varia Structured Opportunities II S.A


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Varia Structured Opportunities, as owner of Kildare Innovation Campus, on its proposed €1.6bn redevelopment and extension of the campus for a mix of deep tech, ICT and innovation uses.
  • Advised Mercury Renewables on the development of a €200m wind farm and green hydrogen plant in Co Mayo.
  • Advised Dublin City Council on its landmark neighbourhood scale redevelopment project of a brownfield site at Emmet Road in Dublin 8.

RDJ LLP

RDJ LLP handles a variety of mandates related to planning and environmental law, assisting clients with compliance with planning obligations, all steps of large-scale planning applications and environmental due diligence. The team is equally active on the contentious side, handling both the prosecution and defence of environmental enforcement actions. Finola McCarthy heads the practice and regularly advises local authorities and state agencies on planning and environmental impact assessments for major projects. Ronan Geary and Donal Twomey are also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Finola McCarthy


Autres avocats clés:

Ronan Geary; Donal Twomey


Les références

‘RDJ’s planning and environment practice brings a great depth of expertise and experience and sound judgement to give clear, practical advice. The practice is also a pleasure to work with.’

‘Finola McCarthy is a star adviser – deeply knowledgeable, acute, practical, understated and good-humoured.’

Principaux clients

MWB Two Limited


Reside Capital Limited


Sir Charles Colthurst, Blarney Castle Estates


Byrne Looby


Donegal County Council/Roads Management Office


AWN Consulting


Trinity College Dublin


Hamwood Stud


Kenny Group


BMOR Construction


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised MWB Two Limited on a strategic housing development (SHD) pursuant to the Planning and Development Acts.
  • Assisted Reside Capital/Hallmark Developments with a judicial review challenge taken against its multimillion-euro SHD.
  • Represented Byrne Looby in the successful defence of a prosecution brought by Inland Fisheries Ireland arising out of a fish kill in the River Bandon in May 2017 during dredging works.