Objecting to Major Infrastructure Projects

Proposals for major infrastructure projects may have significant impacts (both positive and negative) on affected landowners, local authorities and communities in the area the project is located, as well as other bodies and organisations whose interests or operations may be affected. If you are affected by a proposed project, engaging with the promoter at an early stage could be invaluable, as the promoter may be able to amend its proposals to reduce its impacts before they are finalised.

Objecting formally to proposals once an application has been made provides a formal means of bringing your concerns to the attention of the body scrutinising the application. It also provides a further basis on which to negotiate with the promoter, whether to secure a reduction in the land needed for a scheme or the commitment to implement other measures to further mitigate its impacts. However you may be affected and whatever your objectives, our team is well-placed to advise you on your options and how to engage most effectively in the consenting process to obtain an optimum outcome.

Planning/Consenting

• Object to Development Consent Orders, Transport and Works Act Orders, Compulsory Purchase Orders, Harbour Consent Orders, Hybrid and Private Bills and applications under the Town and Country Planning Act.
• Engaging with the promoter to modify, reduce, mitigate, or eliminate impacts of a scheme
• Enter into legal agreements with the promoter to secure mitigation including third party agreements, planning performance agreements, section 106 agreements, protective provisions and planning conditions.
• Deal with blight issues.
• Prepare for hearings and can act as advocates on your behalf.
• Advice on legal challenge options.

Real Estate

• Deal with pre-project land surveys and requests/demands for access including licences.
• Negotiate agreements for acquisition of land (and other interests in land, such as rights and restrictions) required for a project by agreement with the promoter.
• Acquire replacement property and deal with the settlement and drawdown from the promoter.
• Deal with compensation and settlement agreements, including references to the Upper Tribunal.

As the largest specialist infrastructure team in the UK, we are acutely aware of the possible challenges faced by landowners, affected parties and local authorities when affected by major infrastructure projects. We regularly deal with the examining authorities and the decision makers throughout the process, such as the Planning Inspectorate and various offices of the Secretary of State and so we are well equipped to bring relevant issues to the forefront and tackle them to the satisfaction of our clients.

Our team also consists of four parliamentary agents, with extensive experience of advising on both private and hybrid bills (both promoting and opposing them), including the hybrid bills for HS2 and Crossrail.

• Acting for a statutory body in relation to the Thurrock Flexible Generation DCO application;
• Acting for a local authority and a statutory body in relation to the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station DCO application;
• Acting for a statutory body in relation to the Port of London Harbour Revision Order application;
• Acting for a leading housebuilder which owns a site with the benefit of planning permission for residential development affected by a major highway improvement scheme;
• Acting for a local authority in relation to the Riverside Energy Park Development Consent Order application;
• Acting for a statutory body in relation to the Hornsea Project Three Offshore Windfarm Development Consent Order application;
• Acting for various affected parties in relation to the to the Expansion of Heathrow Airport (Third Runway) DCO application; and
• Acting for a statutory body in relation to the Eccles Wastewater Treatment Works Compulsory Purchase Order application.