Our Environment & Planning Group excels in applying technical and commercial thinking to this extensive, complex and increasingly regulated area.
Increased 'producer responsibility' as the basis for waste legislation, increased public participation in environmental decision-making, strategic planning for environmental protection by State agencies, increased penalties and supervisory powers and the beginnings of a real interface between economics and environmental protection all make Environment & Planning a critical practice area.
Our areas of expertise Include:
- Pollution Control Licensing for industry
- Specialist advice on Contaminated Land issues
- Waste Management Law and Policy
- The EU Emissions Trading Scheme and other Climate Change Controls
- Strategic Infrastructure Controls
- Planning and Development law: including the complex of legal and procedural rules around applications for planning consent; enforcement by planning authorities; and representation at planning oral hearings
- Environmental Impact Assessment Law
On contentious matters we have a broad range of experience: from prosecutions at local level, to Environment & Planning-related Judicial Review cases. We have acted in some of the most complex and significant regional and national environmental contentions in recent years.
We also provide focused, transaction-oriented environmental legal due diligence support for property and corporate transactions, reflecting William Fry’s reputation as a leader in the area of Mergers & Acquisitions.
Our experience includes advising/representing:
Advising BioMarin Pharmaceuticals Inc. on its environmental due diligence and EPA licensing in its acquisition of Pfizer's bulk biologics manufacturing plant for $US48.5m.
Chartered Land, on the “Dublin Central” project. We acted as planning law advisor throughout the site assembly and planning application processes, as well as legal representative during the An Bord Pleanala Oral Hearing into this major City Centre block re-generation.
The lead third-party objector during An Bord Pleanala’s oral hearing (September 2008) into the controversial development proposed for the former Jurys-Berkeley Court site in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The proposal was successfully defeated.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) on all planning law due diligence related to proposed operation of three of the co-location hospitals as part of the competition run by the Health Services Executive in Ireland.
RWE Power, on detailed environmental and planning due diligence surrounding the proposed acquisition of the Viridian power plants in Dublin.
IKEA International, on general planning advice arising from the grant of planning permission for the development of its first store in the Republic of Ireland.
Tesco Ireland, in relation to its ongoing programme of supermarket acquisition and development throughout Ireland.
Louth County Council, in relation to the preparation of its statutory scheme under the Planning Acts for recouping over €156m in capital infrastructure costs through development levies for the “North Drogheda Environs” scheme.
ConocoPhillips, on enforcing various environmental warranties after the acquisition of the Whitegate oil refinery from the Irish Government.
We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Planning & Environment law firms in Ireland.
Department
‘Consistently best in class’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Planning & Environment
William Fry provides ‘great business knowledge and access to expertise'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Planning & Environment
William Fry climbs a tier due to its ‘first class expertise in the energy area of planning law’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2009 - Planning and Environment
William Fry "regularly advises on the sale and purchase of carbon allowances as green credits, and is well versed in the Kyoto Protocol."
Chambers Europe 2008
Team
Conor Linehan
Conor Linehan has ‘a very solid grasp of legislation and how it impacts on businesses’, and ‘leaves no stone unturned’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Planning & Environment
William Fry’s team head Conor Linehan is ‘shrewd’ and a ‘good listener’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Planning & Environment
Conor Linehan heads the team at William Fry and attracts praise for his ‘very comprehensive understanding of the planning system’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 - Planning & Environment
Jarleth Heneghan
Construction specialist Jarleth Heneghan is rated for his ‘mix of excellent commercial acumen combined with a thorough understanding of the law’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 - Planning & Environment