Carson McDowell

The planning and environmental law team at Carson McDowell handles a large variety of planning permission work for various industries, including energy, retail, and aviation. Gary McGhee heads the team and provides counsel on a vast quantity of works. Notably, McGhee provides ongoing advice to the Linen Mill Studios on the planning law aspects, including the environmental impact assessment, of the Banbridge Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Grant McBurney is a key player in defending clients in judicial review proceedings. The team is supported by strong senior associates, such as Sarah Dunlop and Faye Phillips. Dunlop has strong experience in securing contested appeals for planning applications before the Planning Appeals Commission, whereas Phillips often assists on large energy and infrastructure projects.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'The planning and environment team headed by Gary McGhee is a well-organised, friendly and professional with a broad spectrum of experience. Clients can rest assured that they are in safe hands. A simply first class team.'
'Gary McGhee and Grant McBurney are two of the most enjoyable people to work with yet deliver solid advice which may not always be popular, but it is refreshing to know that the advice is not just simply what a client wants to hear.'
'The practice is extremely experienced and are open and easy to deal with at all times. They are very good at communicating and are always willing to provide innovative ideas and approached to any issue that we may have.'
'Grant McBurney is exceptional and has greatly assisted our business over a number of years. His depth of knowledge is second to none, and he is able to make complex matters understandable.'
'Grant McBurney is our primary point of contact and always provides information and advice in a comprehensive and timely manner.'
'The Carson McDowell planning team is the best in Belfast and the first people we contact with a planning related legal issue. They are quick to respond, thorough, professional and friendly. They are immersed in what is happening locally, which is really important in an evolving planning context.'

Key clients

Island Magee Energy Limited
Tesco
Belfast International Airport
The Port of Belfast
McDonalds
Southern Regional College
Linen Mill Studios
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
RES (UK & Ireland) Limited
McAleer & Rushe
Breedon plc

Work highlights

Represented Island Magee Energy Limited in judicial review proceedings which sought to challenge the lawfulness of decision to grant the company a marine licence and other consents for the construction of a gas storage facility to hold up to 500 million cubic metres of natural gas in undersea caverns.
Advised Tesco to challenge the lawfulness of a decision to grant planning permission for a new ASDA food superstore in North Belfast to Court of Appeal level.
Acted on instruction from RES Limited in relation to its regionally significant planning application for a fourteen turbine wind farm close to the villages of Carnlough and Glenarm, known as Unishinagh Wind Farm.

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