The planning and environment team at Burness Paull LLP maintains ‘a strong profile’ in the housebuilding, energy and public sectors. Department head Alasdair Sutherland is well regarded for his contentious planning expertise, and is also well equipped to advise on consent orders, Section 75 agreements and regulatory matters. Other key names in the team include Steven Stewart and Emma Dewar, and Emma Paton joined the firm from Shepherd and Wedderburn in May 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘In my experience working with this practice, I have been particularly impressed with the speed of responses; attention to detail and quality of advice received.'
- 'The sector is competitive and Burness Paull has maintained a strong profile and presence in key cases, allowing relevant experience and knowledge to be shared to support our own work.’
- ‘The individuals I work with have been especially diligent in their review of planning and legal casework. In one ongoing planning case in particular, the attention to detail has been first rate to ensure the case and planning submissions are competent and robust. Emma Dewar has an eye for detail that will benefit any client.’
- 'Every member of the Burness Paull team has unequivocally been friendly, professional, pragmatic, inquisitive and exceptional.'
- 'Alasdair Sutherland and Hazel Noble stand out as impeccably knowledgeable, easy to deal with in plain English and great to work with.'
- 'I would single out Emma Paton for particular praise, who brings first class technical knowledge and strategic insight to the table.'
Key clients
- Cromarty Firth Port Authority (POCF)
- Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited
- EDF Renewables
- Lakeshore Leisure
- CALA Homes
- Orsted
- Bancon Homes
- Balfour Beatty Investments
- Springfield Properties
- Artisan Real Estate
- Barratt Homes
- EDP Renewables
Work highlights
Advising Cromarty Firth Port Authority, the statutory harbour authority for all the ports operating within Cromarty Firth, on various consenting matters in relation to the expansion of the Port of Cromarty Firth.
Acted for the developer in negotiating and securing a £2m reduction in the education contribution payable for its mixed-use development for 256 homes and commercial space at 525 Ferry Road, Edinburgh.
Acted for the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers Limited in a challenge of the City of Edinburgh Council’s approach to issuing notices suspending consideration of applications for short-term let licences.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Alasdair Sutherland
Other key lawyers
Emma Paton; Steven Stewart; Emma Dewar; Hazel Noble