Planning & Environmental

Helping protect your environment

Scotland has one of the world's finest built and natural environments, from the World Heritage site in Edinburgh's New Town, and the  contemporary urban environment  to some of the most spectacular mountain and coastal scenery to be found anywhere in the world.

To protect this environment for future generations there are complex planning and environmental regulations in place.

Morton Fraser has some of the country's foremost experts in planning and environmental law. We're here to help businesses and individuals understand their environmental responsibilities. We support clients with complex planning applications and guide them through the legislative and regulatory maze.

Our experts represent clients, not just in Scotland, but right across the UK, and are particularly recognised in the fields of advising on nuclear and contamination issues.

Planning

We have the capacity and expertise to deal with all aspects of the planning process from assisting with pre-application enquiries, managing planning applications in a way to reduce the scope for legal challenge, and drafting any legal agreements which are required before planning permission is granted.  We also advise on judicial review – and have excellent experience of both pursuing and defending such applications – and are often called upon to build a case for objection. We are also experienced in public local inquires and have an in-depth knowledge of the long term development planning process.

We act for private individuals, small and large companies, local government, the Scottish Government and central government departments.

Regardless of the nature or scale of your proposed development – or the development on which you are wanting to make representations as a concerned member of the public - we can help.

Environment

As concerns over climate change continue to top the agenda so the regulations managing our environment become ever more complex.

Morton Fraser has wide experience of all aspects of environmental law from pollution control to regeneration of contaminated land. We have been successfully involved in some of the most complex and contentious environmental legal cases in the country, such as the successful planning application for a low level radioactive waste facility at Dounreay nuclear power station.

Why Morton Fraser?

With a dedicated team focused exclusively on planning and environmental issues, we have the experience and knowledge to easily manage large corporate cases across the public and private sectors while still able to keep a focus on providing a tailored service for individual clients. Our team provides clients with a regular update service to help keep them informed of changes in planning and environmental law that might affect them.

Services

• Support for Complex Planning Applications
• Community Engagement
• Compulsory Purchases Orders & Compensation
• Judicial Review
• Planning Appeals, Inquiries & Hearings
• Planning Agreements
• Representations on Planning Applications
• Mediation
• Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas
• Enforcement
• Energy & Utilities
• Development Planning
• Environmental Law, including:       
  pollution control
  contaminated land     
  landfill
  marine pollution
  radioactive waste
  oil pollution
  air quality

If you have a query about planning or environmental law why not speak to the head of our team, Nick Atkins on 0131 247 1336 or the head of our planning law team, Douglas Milne on 0131 247 3181. They can quickly advise what your next steps should be.

Our clients include.

• The Ministry of Defence
• United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority
• Midlothian Council
• Moray Council
• Aberdeen City Council
• Morston Assets Limited
• Scottish Wildlife Trust
• The Scottish Government

What the legal directories say

The firm provides a well-rounded offering...

Legal 500, 2007

This firm has an "accessible style, which is easy to work with through the ranks.

Chambers 2008

What our clients say

Defence Estates have significantly targeted Nick's support in these high profile cases where qualities such as his vast experience, calm but measured advice and his practical as well as innovative delivery, have all elevated MOD's reputation as leaders in the field.

Neil Watson, Defence Estates - Ministry of Defence