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Latest news and insights

Gillespie Macandrew appoints new partner and promotes 11 others

Gillespie Macandrew announces the promotion of Lorna Balfour to partner in its industry-leading Land & Rural Business team.

Strike Action, but not as we know it

In February, takeaway drivers at a variety of “gig economy” delivery platforms took part in “strike” action to demand better pay and working conditions.

Changes in law for Trusters to be aware of in 2024

Trusts & Succession Act: what are the changes for Trusters to be aware of before they become law in 2024.

Planning and Environment

We act for a wide range of developers, interested parties and planning authorities giving us first class insight into the important issues.  Our team has acted in some of the most significant planning cases in the country and has considerable expertise both at bespoke one to one advice and advising as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Our expertise includes:

  • Planning applications
  • Planning reviews and appeals
  • Objections
  • Planning agreements (section 75 agreements)
  • Environmental issues/appraisals/reports
  • Development plans
  • Public Inquiries
  • Judicial Reviews
  • Statutory consents other than planning permission
  • Compulsory Purchase Procedures
  • Planning enforcement

Planning advice

Scotland’s planning system is broadly divided into three areas: development planning (“local and national plans”), development management (“applications and appeals”), and enforcement.  We bring experience to all three, and draw our strength from being able to work across the different areas to seek solutions for our clients across the whole spectrum of planning law and policy.   We work with clients to make their voices heard in local and national plans.  In applications and appeals we tailor our advice to our clients’ needs: on legal aspects such as section 75 agreements only, or working with other planning professionals to provide a complete service from pre-application onwards.  Where necessary we also provide advice and representation at local review bodies or appeals to the Scottish Ministers, in public inquiries and in relation to planning enforcement matters.

Compulsory Purchase Orders

We regularly advise on Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) on behalf of a wide range of clients and have broad experience of acting for authorities exercising those powers, as well as those who wish to object and those who are entitled to compensation. CPO issues are often complex and require a multi-disciplinary approach and we have developed strong working partnerships with surveyors and other professionals to provide our clients with robust advice.

Environmental matters

Our team has expert knowledge of environmental appraisals and environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports.  We work closely with clients during the pre-planning, planning, construction and operational phases of a development in order to identify and mitigate any risks.  We can also advise in the event that an environmental issue arises including the immediate response and recovery phases as well as providing support in dealing with investigations by statutory authorities.  Our team has acted in a number of high profile judicial reviews of major EIA developments, and a key strength of our planning team is their regular work with planning counsel in environmental matters both to reduce risk and where necessary represent our clients’ interests in court.

News and insights

Planning by nature

Enhancing biodiversity is now a central aim of Scotland’s planning system, Ashley McCann discusses how this might work and the opportunities for landowners.

Scottish Parliament votes to approve revised draft Fourth National Planning Framework

The Scottish Parliament voted to approve the revised draft of NPF4 marking significant changes to planning system in Scotland.

Important changes to planning applications and permissions brought into force

The Scottish Government has continued its implementation of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, with two instruments that have effect from 1 October 2022.

Planning for Afforestation

Many Scottish landowners have sought to add value to unproductive land through afforestation, although what planning is required?

The draft NPF4 – key considerations for developers

In March 2022, Project Scotland reported on conflicting responses to the Scottish Government’s draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).

Contact the Planning team

Please provide a few details about your enquiry in this form and someone in our planning team will get back to you as soon as they can.

Astute, commercial advice delivered with level-headed precision.

The Legal 500

Lawyers in Edinburgh
Solicitors in Edinburgh
Family Solicitors/Lawyers in Edinburgh

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