Environment
UK Guide 2025 : The North
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 (0)845 634 2540About
Provided by Freeths LLP
- Freeths’ Environment Team (North) has extensive experience advising on protected sites designated for nature conservation (from international sites to national sites to locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity). Examples of services we provide relating to protected sites include devising Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) strategies for developers, objectors and competent authorities; legally reviewing, and where necessary challenging, HRAs produced in support of planning decisions, local development plans, and plans proposed by other public bodies; reviewing and challenging the legality of the decisions of local planning authorities or of statutory nature conservation bodies to designate sites for nature conservation.
- Environmental Permitting: obtaining and challenging regulators’ decisions on the grant of environmental permits and their conditions; securing our clients’ compliance with environmental permits, abstraction licences, trade effluent consents and discharge consent.
Chambers Review
Freeths offers a proficient practice with a strong reputation for its work in environmental regulation, particularly for advice to developers and local councils regarding protected species. The team has further strengths advising on permitting requirements, environmental liability and water contamination. It is also known for its experience defending environmental prosecutions brought by regulatory agencies.
Work Highlights
- Freeths assisted Shropshire Council with obtaining planning permission for the Shrewsbury North-West Relief Road Project.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Freeths' solicitors are quite simply the only people I would go to for this area of law."
"Freeths is very responsive and showed no hesitation in rearranging its diaries to attend meetings."
"Freeths possesses a very insightful view of any complex matters which gives me confidence that it understands the problem and can offer alternative perspectives."
"Freeths' knowledge of the legislation and case law is first-class."
"Freeths call upon a strong united team to ensure that all technical, administrative and supportive matters are addressed."
"Freeths' solicitors are quite simply the only people I would go to for this area of law."
"Freeths is very responsive and showed no hesitation in rearranging its diaries to attend meetings."
"Freeths possesses a very insightful view of any complex matters which gives me confidence that it understands the problem and can offer alternative perspectives."
"Freeths' knowledge of the legislation and case law is first-class."
"Freeths call upon a strong united team to ensure that all technical, administrative and supportive matters are addressed."
Notable Practitioners
Penny Simpson is noted for her command of the law concerning natural environment and biodiversity protection. She frequently advises real estate developers and local authorities on regulatory issues and is also recommended for contentious matters, including water contamination disputes.
"Penny Simpson has personal commitment, diligence and technical knowledge. She genuinely cares about the outcome."
"Penny Simpson was incredibly effective at presenting clear and decisive legal advice. She was a very effective negotiator."
Alison Ogley is a noteworthy solicitor in the planning and environment team at Freeths. Her practice covers both regulatory and contentious work, advising on issues such as waste management, pollution incidents and permitting applications.
"Alison Ogley is always a pleasure to work with and has an acute sense of how a project should develop."
"I appreciate Alison's attention to detail and in-depth knowledge and expertise. Her strategic thinking is a huge benefit as well."
"Alison Ogley is down-to-earth but fantastically astute."