At DLA Piper, Teresa Hitchcock has expertise in contaminated land, nuisance disputes and regeneration projects. She is also a prominent figure on the subject of climate change, and regularly appears in regional and national real estate boards and panels as an expert in environmental law. Her main clients include manufacturers, energy companies, industrials and regulators. Alastair Clough is recommended for regulatory licensing and enforcement, waste management issues and assessing environmental liability risk in transactions.
Environment in Yorkshire And The Humber
DLA Piper
Practice head(s):
Teresa Hitchcock
Other key lawyers:
Alastair Clough
Testimonials
‘From a client perspective the team understood the issue and suggested potential ways of dealing with it in a cost effective way.’
‘The team are very knowledgeable about very niche areas and are able to apply their legal knowledge to our business needs and problems.’
‘Alastair Clough is extremely knowledgeable and very approachable.’
‘The team has great knowledge of any regulatory matters and are always of help and advice whenever needed.’
‘The team at DLA Piper is very professional. The team has globally renowned strengths and capabilities in environment practice, climate change, real estate, technology, innovation and collaboration etc. which are all important and underpin their excellent people, billing and services management.’
‘Teresa Hitchcock is an outstanding partner. She is very knowledgeable and experienced in these areas and stands-out. Our partnerships, interactions and collaborations are exceptional. She not only provides what is required but goes above and beyond expectations.’
Key clients
Tarmac Services Limited
Tata Steel UK Limited
Mothercare Global Brands
Pfizer Inc
BASF
Pilkington Technology Management Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Tarmac Services Ltd on voluntary remediation following the service of a contaminated land regime remediation notice.
- Defending Tata Steel against a group claiming alleged dust nuisance.
- Advising BASF in relation to potential contamination liabilities under the Environmental permitting regime and contaminated land regime at two sites.
CMS
CMS' Sheffield-based partner Lukas Rootman is the main contact for environmental and contentious regulatory matters. He regularly defends corporate clients with significant environmental liability risk profiles in Environment Agency prosecutions.
Practice head(s):
Lukas Rootman
Freeths LLP
Freeths LLP’s environment team has extensive experience of advising on local and regional protected sites designated for nature conservation, as well as on applicable regulations and planning issues. On the contentious side, the team acts for corporates, organisations and individuals facing regulatory action. Water law, pollution and soil contamination are also key areas of expertise. Penny Simpson is the main contact.
Practice head(s):
Penny Simpson
Testimonials
‘Freeths certainly know their stuff on environment law! Penny Simpson is the leader of a great team.’
‘Penny Simpson has an unparalleled grasp of environmental and habitats regulations and would rate her as a market leader in this field. She has a forensic attention to detail and an ability to deliver pragmatic solutions.’
‘Direct and clear advice in an informal and formal manner as necessary. Approachable and friendly, but professional and courteous. Able to quickly understand complex situations and to provide appropriate advice in a timely manner and to budget.’
‘Penny Simpson has an impressive knowledge of protected species legislation and experience of working on a broad range of projects for various clients, allowing Freeths LLP to provide efficient and comprehensive advice.’
Key clients
Royal Horticultural Society
Southern Ecological Solutions Limited
Redrow Homes Limited (Ambrosden)
Naturespace Partnership Limited
Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England
Ampersand Homes Limited
Work highlights
- Objecting on behalf of the RHS to a very large Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project development consent order application by Highways England to alter the M25’s Junction 10.
- Advising Southern Ecological Solutions on unblocking a very significant legal constraint that was significantly delaying the delivery of the HS2 project.
- Working with a prominent environmental campaigner to secure long-term protection and restoration of the unique fen habitats across the Norfolk Broads.
Gateley Plc
Gateley Plc focuses on corporate regulatory compliance, as well as criminal and regulatory defence in the context of investigations and prosecutions. Its client base includes major retailers, corporates, property developers and directors. Pauline Munro advises on environmental issues in the manufacturing, food and construction sectors.
Practice head(s):
Pauline Munro
Other key lawyers:
Ruth Armstrong
Testimonials
‘A real powerhouse in HSE and environmental with a good understanding of criminal law rather than adopting a “civil” approach. Their footprint in inquests – particularly in construction and leisure – is second to none.’
‘Pauline Munro – very supportive, detailed information provided quickly.’
Key clients
Taylor Wimpey Plc
Bellway Homes Plc
Vistry (Bovis Homes)
Croudace Homes
Donald Ward Limited
Clearaway Limited
Work highlights
- Acted on behalf of United Molasses Storage following a major acid leak at its bulk storage facility in Hull in 2017.
- Represented Collins Earthworks in its negotiations with the EA following allegations of illegal waste deposits which threatened to close the site.
- Acting for a major housebuilder accused by the EA of polluting a watercourse and killing a number of fish.
Schofield Sweeney
Schofield Sweeney has a solid reputation for environmental compliance advice and it also undertakes advocacy in the context of investigations, prosecutions and regulatory enforcement actions. Craig Burman heads the practice, which advises clients on permits, water, pollution and waste regulations, as well as contaminated land and failed environmental searches.
Practice head(s):
Craig Burman
Testimonials
‘I have worked with Craig Burman and found him to be knowledgeable, prompt with responses/advice and proactive in the use of technology to ensure continuity in hands-on delivery of service. He’s approachable and friendly whilst maintaining a professional presence.’
‘Craig Burman – unmatched experience, really open approach.’
‘A superb environmental regulatory, compliance and litigation team that outshines national heavyweights. Schofields provide the full environmental service from EA and LA defence, environmental permits, waste, contaminated land, flooding, drainage, food hygiene, health & safety, planning and all areas of environmental compliance and risk management.’
‘Craig is the best environmental regulatory lawyer in the North by a clear mile. He combines subject matter expertise with insightful tips and exceptional client service skills. A real pleasure to work with.’
‘Craig Burman is our lead contact, he has made every effort to align with the clients’ objectives and spends time understanding our constraints, timescales and the existing level of understanding we have on the legal aspects of the situation. He also understands the dynamic with our in-house legal team.’
‘The team has an unprecedented level of insight and experience in permitting and environmental enforcement. The team is set within a well-respected, well-known and well-resourced full-service commercial law firm and ensures that the specialist advice on environmental matters is set within the context of commercial issues.’
Key clients
Leeds City Council
Colson Transport Limited
Greenhous Group (Holdings) Limited
Templeborough Biomass Power Plant Limited
BWSC Power Corporation Limited
Newlay Concrete Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a local flood authority on their powers and rights in respect of a large scale main river flood alleviation scheme, together with ongoing flood and drainage issues and natural flood management legal obstacles.
- Advised internal drainage board in respect of its powers to take enforcement action in relation to non-consented works within its by-law strip which affect flood risk.
- Advised Greenhous Group on environmental liabilities in connection with acquisitions and sales of business assets.
Tyr
Lyn Dario now heads up the environmental practice at Tyr, following her move from Knights plc in mid-2020. She specialises in regulatory matters, defence against prosecutions and transactional support.
Practice head(s):
Lyn Dario
Testimonials
‘Lyn Dario is exceptionally knowledgeable in the field of health and safety law. She provides practical advice and really understands the issues even where the subject matter is highly technical.’
‘Lyn Dario joined the firm in the last year and has an impressive record in the field of health and safety and has a number of loyal clients. She is very experienced and is excellent both at client management and reassurance. Always on top of the detail and prepared to innovate and to suggest alternative ways to try and get the best result for her client. First rank solicitor.’
Walker Morris LLP
Walker Morris LLP's group comprises of former regulators, who provide strategic advice on contentious and non-contentious environment-related matters affecting large scale infrastructure and development projects in the residential, retail, waste and renewable energy sectors. Alison Ogley and Stuart Ponting lead the regulatory and contentious offering respectively.
Practice head(s):
Alison Ogley; Stuart Ponting
Testimonials
‘Alison Ogley is particularly knowledgeable about her field and has a knack of explaining complicated areas in a very succinct manner.’
‘The team at Walker Morris are genuinely passionate about the projects we have worked on together. They have a broad knowledge base but are able to identify specific requirements for planning or technical considerations and confidently present the legal case to support planning applications and appeals.’
‘Alison Ogley is an incredibly approachable person and brings a level of calmness that gives confidence to clients because she is extremely knowledgeable about planning. She is able to deliver positive outcomes for clients, even on the most complex of planning applications in high pressured situations.’
‘Top class team.’
‘Alison Ogley – first class planning and environment partner.’
‘Alison Ogley provides excellent advice in a friendly manner, good communication, excellent knowledge within the field of expertise, trusted and reliable.’
‘Alison Ogley – she’s absolutely top of her game, she’s collaborative, innovative, great to work with and inspiring.’
Key clients
FCC Environment (UK) Limited
Hargreaves Services Plc
Taylor Wimpey (Yorkshire) Limited
ICP Building
Commercial Estates Group
Keigar Homes
Bowler Adams Ltd
Darrington Quarries Limited
Work highlights
- Advised CEG in relation to a planning application for a scheme near Newton Abbot comprising up to 450 homes, a local centre of shops and offices and up to 22,000 square metres of employment land.
- Acted on behalf of CEG on a planning appeal including reviewing and advising on EIA documentation submitted in support of the application and on complex HRA issues relating to protected species.