Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Sam is a Legal Director in the Planning and Infrastructure Consenting Team.

Sam advises on major planning, infrastructure and renewable energy projects with a particular expertise in consenting, development constraint analysis and land assembly.

Sam is recognised as a "Next Generation Partner" by Legal 500, Planning and Environment (2025).

Sam’s relevant experience includes:

– Solar Farm – advising on the DCO application – consenting and land assembly requirements – and the examination in respect of an 800MW solar farm and biodiversity park located to the northwest of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.

– Onshore Wind Farms – acting for a number of renewable energy developers in connection with their proposals to construct major onshore wind farm projects in England and Wales, including legal review of the planning application and Environmental Statement for each project, negotiating planning obligations and overall project management of the consenting process.

– Offshore Wind Farms – acting for a significant aviation stakeholder in connection with the applications for development consent for a number of offshore wind farm proposals in the Irish Sea, including the preparation of detailed written submissions to the examination, appearing at hearing sessions and advising on the wording of the draft DCO for each project and aviation related Requirements.

– Offshore Wind Farms – advising on the consenting and compulsory acquisition aspects of the DCO applications for offshore wind farm developments located in the Dogger Bank and Bristol Channel Zones as part of The Crown Estate’s third licence round for UK offshore wind farms (Round 3).

– Strategic Rail Freight Interchange Project – acting for the promoter of a proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange on the preparation of the DCO application (and the associated consultation requirements and statutory framework) required to consent and assemble the land needed to secure delivery of the project.

– Road Tunnel Scheme – advising a global chemical distributor in connection with the examination of the DCO to authorise the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel (the A1026) (running between west Silvertown on the north side of the Thames and a portal adjacent to the existing Blackwall Tunnel on the Greenwich Peninsula), as well as the subsequent implementation of the compulsory acquisition powers secured in order to assemble the land needed to deliver the project.

– CPO Compensation Claims – advising acquiring authorities and affected landowners on a variety of high value, complex compulsory acquisition compensation claims which have been resolved via ADR or a reference to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

Legal Director