The award was given to BDB Pitmans for its ground-breaking work in the promotion of a major energy-from-waste facility development consent order (DCO) – a scheme that will divert 1.2 million tonnes of waste from landfill, providing enough energy to power over 200,000 homes.
DCOs are complex documents that not only authorise infrastructure projects in terms of planning consents but also include a variety of other powers and provisions necessary to implement and regulate infrastructure development.
This particular scheme was complex involving consideration of conservation and environmental regulations, culminating in a public examination appointed by the Secretary of State, who made the DCO on 5 July 2023.
BDB Pitmans is widely recognised as one of the preeminent law firms advising on the planning consents and delivery of large, complex infrastructure projects. Its award-winning team has advised on a wide variety of schemes including the Lower Thames Crossing, London Luton Airport Expansion, East West Rail, flood defence schemes in Lincolnshire and Somerset alongside numerous waste-to-energy projects.
Nick Evans, Head of the Planning and Infrastructure team said: “We are thrilled to have been named ‘Planning Law Firm of the Year’. It follows an exceptionally busy year for our market-leading infrastructure consenting practice.
“We are enormously proud to be actively engaged in cutting-edge renewable energy matters targeted towards speeding up the energy transition including solar, nuclear, offshore wind, hydrogen, waste-to-sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture projects.
“We appreciate this award as a reflection of our broader commitment to the sector, including our well-established Planning Act blog, our market-leading practice in CAZ and our thought leadership as regards biodiversity net gain – now a major element in the planning process.”
The BDB Pitmans award-winning team includes Richard Marsh (Partner) assisted by Rahil Haq and Sophie Reese (Senior Associates), Jess Hobbs and Aranya Tharumakunarajah (Associates), Pam Thompson, our Principal Parliamentary Clerk and James Ross (Partner) on the property side.
