Ben Barry-Walsh

Ben is a foreign-qualified Associate in the Planning, Infrastructure, and Public Law team, working on a number of Development Consent Order projects since joining the team from New Zealand in early 2023.

Since joining BDB Pitmans LLP, he has worked closely on a number of transport and energy projects. Ben’s energy experience in the UK has built on the years of energy and natural resources experience he gained in acting for one of New Zealand’s largest mining companies. Notably providing strategic, consenting, and environmental compliance advice in relation to mining projects and operations in the Waikato, West Coast, Canterbury, and Southland regions of New Zealand.

Furthermore, Ben has advised on a range of urban and commercial development projects. Securing planning permission for promoters in various medium-density housing developments as well as supermarket projects.

In addition, Ben has experience providing policy advice for New Zealand’s largest indigenous tribe. This work was particularly focused on providing strategic advice in Environment Court and High Court proceedings relating to freshwater planning instruments, ensuring that Indigenous environmental knowledge systems are entrenched in New Zealand’s planning system.