United Kingdom - Northern Ireland • Real estate
2

Planning and environment

Cleaver Fulton Rankin

More informationMore information

Cleaver Fulton Rankin fields a team with expertise in environmental law, planning law, and public law, noted for its work on high profile projects such as the multibillion Dalradian Gold Limited mining project. The practice is led by firm chairman Karen Blair, a highly experienced practitioner with particular strength in the energy and waste sectors. Brendan Martyn, who is triple-qualified in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, acts for prominent clients in both the public and private sectors.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Specialised practice in planning and environment, covering renewable energy, aviation, mining and quarrying. Cover council/planning authority work to appeals/public inquiries and judicial review.’

  • ‘Karen Blair and Brendan Martin are outstanding practitioners. Commercially astute and tactically aware. Capacity for hard work and commitment to client care.’

  • ‘We use CFR exclusively for planning work and have done for many years. We have always found the service excellent along with extensive knowledge of the subject.’

Key clients

  • Dalradian Gold Limited
  • Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
  • Choice Housing Ireland Limited
  • Assured Energy LLP
  • Belfast City Airport
  • Belfast City Council
  • Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
  • Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited
  • Don Holdings Limited
  • Leitrim County Council (Republic of Ireland)

Work highlights

  • Advising Dalradian Gold Limited on all consenting and operational aspects of its proposed gold mine development in Co Tyrone, representing an investment to date of over £160 million.
  • Advising Assured Energy LLP in relation to two anaerobic digestion sites which have attracted enforcement notices and abatement notices from two local councils – all of which have been appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission and the courts.
  • Advising and representing Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in relation to the Independent Examination of its Local Development Plan before the Planning Appeals Commission, and defending a number of concurrent judicial reviews representing over 25% of all judicial reviews in Northern Ireland in 2022.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Karen Blair
Hall of fameCleaver Fulton Rankin
Karen is Chairman and Director at Cleaver Fulton Rankin and specialises in planning and environmental law, liquor licensing and public law. She advises a wide range of clients, particularly in the mining, waste, energy and aviation sectors on their development proposals, including advice on environmental impact assessment and habitats issues. She also advises on regulatory issues arising from on-going manufacturing and processing operations. Karen also has extensive experience in the judicial review and liquor licensing courts.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Karen Blair

Other key lawyers

Brendan Martyn, Stephen Masterson

© 2024 Legalease Ltd. All rights reserved

Registered company in England & Wales No. 2423756 VAT 324572722

Registered address: 188 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AG