Planning

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Neil Collar
Brodies LLP
Experienced adviser, inquiry advocate, blogger, author and conference speaker – Neil is one of Scotland's best known planning lawyers. He has over 25 years’ experience as a planning lawyer. His work spans all aspects of the planning process, planning applications, appeals and inquiries (including inquiry advocacy), court actions, planning issues in relation to land acquisition and disposal, compulsory purchase and compensation, listed buildings and conservation areas, and trees. Neil's experience includes strategic development, regeneration areas, renewable energy, housing, retail, build to rent, student accommodation, hotels, offices, sport and leisure, and minerals.
Karen Hamilton
Brodies LLP
Karen is a recognised expert in compulsory purchase and compensation. She has significant experience of consenting and land assembly implications for major infrastructure projects in the transport and energy sectors, frequently leading or collaborating within multi-disciplinary teams. She has also advised on a number of high-profile city centre projects, including purpose built student accommodation (PBSA); build to rent (BTR) and hotel developments, and has significant experience in the aquaculture sector. Karen advises clients on consenting risk and strategy; procedure; EIA; planning obligations; appeals and inquiries. Having worked in local government for 5 years at the start of her career, Karen has a good understanding of the public sector landscape and advises a number of planning authorities and other regulators, as well as developers, funders and major landowners.
Colin Innes
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Colin is a partner and accredited specialist in planning law. Regarded in Scotland as a planning legend, he advises clients in the private and public sectors on both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. On the contentious side he represents clients at public inquiries, hearings and also advises in respect of court challenges to planning decisions. He has significant expertise in relation to energy related projects including thermal plant, renewable energy and grid. He is also involved in other major infrastructure projects including road schemes and major mixed use schemes. Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a planning specialist, Colin advised Vattenfall Wind Power Limited on their Aberdeen Bay consenting, famously challenged by the Trump Organisation LLC and Trump International Golf Links Scotland Limited. Most recent work includes advising DF Concerts on the relocation of T in the Park, Scotland's iconic music festival. Chambers and Partners notes: 'Colin Innes is recognised as a leading light in the sector and particularly acclaimed for his expertise in renewables and retail work. Sources praise his "tremendous and valuable knowledge," and call him "a class act – hugely impressive."'
Ewan MacLeod
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Ewan is a partner and accredited as a specialist in planning law by the Law Society of Scotland. He has extensive public hearing and inquiry experience with particular expertise in housing, retail and waste issues. Top ranked by leading directories, Ewan advises developers and planning authorities in relation to development plans, significant planning applications including planning gain issues, appeals, court challenges and compulsory purchase. Ewan also advises on a range of environmental matters including regulated processes, nuisance and contaminated land. His most recent work includes advising Taylor Wimpey and CALA Homes on a significant residential development in Newton Mearns; Murray Estates in connection with its 1300 house development in West Edinburgh; ARES in relation to development proposals at Kingsway East Retail Park, Dundee and Scarborough Muir Group on a significant compensation claim related to the new Queensferry Crossing Bridge project. Other clients include Gladman Developments, Hallam Land, Sainsbury’s, British Land and Miller Homes. Chambers and Partners notes: ‘Ewan Macleod is praised by sources for his commercial solutions to complex legal problems. An expert in strategic retail and residential development, he has a "good understanding of both sides of a case and is able to interpret that clearly."
Gary McGovern
Pinsent Masons LLP
Alastair McKie
Anderson Strathern
Douglas Milne
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Sandy Telfer
Gillespie Macandrew LLP
Craig Whelton
Burges Salmon LLP
Advises on all aspects of planning law including major regeneration work, energy and compulsory purchase (acting for promoters and those affected by CPO).  Particular expertise in residential development, developer contributions and viability.  Has advised on some of the largest development projects in Scotland, including the West Craigs mixed use development in Edinburgh (1,500 houses), Meygen tidal scheme and promotion of compulsory purchase orders.  Regularly undertakes advocacy an inquiries and hearings.  Advises on judicial review and statutory challenges, including Gladman v Scottish Ministers. 
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Chris Devlin
Anderson Strathern
Mark McMurray
CMS
Fraser Mitchell
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Keith Campbell
CMS
Cameron Greig
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Patrick Munro
Burges Salmon LLP
Lynsey Reid
Burges Salmon LLP

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