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.