OUR PEOPLE

Rory Alexander

Director of Planning Law
Edinburgh Office
Rory is the director of planning law based in our Edinburgh office. 

Rory specialises in planning matters in both the public and private sector with an impressive track record in housing and regeneration projects, including negotiating planning agreements, compulsory purchase advice, planning appeals, and listed building consent advice.

Rory leads our Local Government team which is praised in the Legal 500 guide 2021 'for its handling of the full scope of local government work. Experienced in acting for local authorities in a range of matters including appeals, judicial reviews and local public inquiries. Additional capabilities instructing on complex monitoring officer investigations and reports'.  Uniquely, Rory is individually ranked for both Local Government and Planning Law in the Chambers & Partners Guide 2021 and is 'respected for his expertise in representing local authorities on a range of matters', and 'adept at advising local authorities, developers and landowners in relation to large scale development projects'.  Rory also heads our Environmental & Climate Change Unit and is a key member of our Energy Team.

He is also a legal associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute and a Writer to His Majesty's Signet.

Membership & Awards
WS Society
Law Society of Scotland
Royal Town Planning Institute

Real Estate Expertise

Rory is the director of planning law  and has a strong track record in housing and regeneration projects. Rory routinely provides advice to Planning Authorities, developers, landowners, funders, and objectors on all aspects of planning law and is a Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Experience includes:

  • Advising on a major residential led development at East of Millburn Tower, Edinburgh, the so-called 'Garden District' (value in the region of £1billion, 1,500 residential units).
  • Advising on the planning aspects of the West Craigs 1,400 unit residential and commercial development in West Edinburgh (value in the region of £280m).
  • Advising on the planning aspects of a 1,500 residential development at Musselburgh, East Lothian.  The planning agreement secured in the region of £23 million in planning gain, along with infrastructure delivery. 

Public Sector Expertise

Rory previously headed up the in-house legal team at the City of Edinburgh Council providing legal and strategic advice across the varied service areas of the Council. As a result, Rory has a clear and in-depth understanding of the inner workings of local authorities and both the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Based on his experience, Rory understands the importance of the provisions of clear, concise and legally robust, whilst taking into account the commercial, political and social factors that local authorities face.

Rory has particular expertise in planning matters in both the public and private sector.