FTB is widely regarded as a pre-eminent set for infrastructure planning.
FTB members advise and represent clients on a wide variety of Infrastructure projects promoted under the Planning Act 2008, the Town & County Planning Act 1990, the Transport and Works Act 1992, the Electricity Act 1989, Transport & Works Act Orders or Parliament Bills.
FTB members act for promoters, local authorities, statutory consultees and other interested parties on all aspects of planning and compulsory purchase, compensation and land valuation issues where they arise.
FTB’s members work on Infrastructure projects covers Energy, Transport, Business and Commercial, Water, Waste Water sectors. Members work on a wide variety of schemes such as:
- Railways, trams and guided bus ways
- Airports
- Bridges, tunnels and roads
- Ports, harbours and marine energy parks
- Electricity generation - nuclear, gas and renewables (including offshore wind farms, energy from waste, solar and tidal)
- Electricity transmission and generation
- Gas production
- Underground gas storage
- Pipelines
- Carbon capture and storage facilities
- Water infrastructure
- Waste water treatment
- Agriculture and rural affairs
- Minerals and waste
- Development plans and core strategies
- Green Belt and open countryside
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Feb' 21High Court Quashes Norfolk Vanguard Windfarm Decision
Mr Justice Holgate has today handed down judgment in R (Pearce) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy [2021] EWHC 326 (Admin) – judgment available here - quashing the Secretary of State's grant of development consent for a sizeable windfarm development off the coast of Norfolk in the North Sea.
"First class for infrastructure planning." "Consistently high-quality individuals." "FTB is one of the leading barristers sets for planning; and the first port of call for all major planning infrastructure work."
Legal 500, 2024"Francis Taylor Building is known as the leading Chambers for infrastructure planning work for a reason, they have the most experienced and generally most skilled barristers in this area of work. This applies equally to the KCs and also to the juniors in chambers. In particular, the juniors are very confident in their work and provide a very good and timely service".
Legal 500. 2023"Very strong depth of experience, particularly in the area of infrastructure. All members are of a consistently high quality".
Legal 500, 2023"FTB is one of the top planning sets, particularly on infrastructure work. Their breakfast briefings are well-known in the market and well-attended."
Legal 500, 2023"These chambers have extraordinary strength-in-depth with a wealth of talented barristers."
Legal 500, 2022"FTB have an abundance of talent, and when counsel of choice is unavailable we have never been disappointed with the alternatives offered."
Legal 500, 2022"The clerks at Francis Taylor Building are absolutely superb and very quick to get back to you." "The team is very agile and very commercial in terms of their approach and you can discuss things based on client needs." "Paul Coveney, senior clerk, is streets ahead of other clerks; he understands the work and is strategic in his thinking. The clerking is excellent."
Chambers and Partners, 2022"First class service. Attentive and flexible.’
Legal 500, 202211
Apr' 24Breakfast Briefing: Non-objection and Confidentiality Clauses - Court of Appeal Judgment in East Anglia Wind Farms Case
Last week the Court of Appeal handed down an important judgment addressing the use of non-objection and confidentiality clauses in Heads of Terms and Option Agreements for the acquisition of land for DCO development. The case is of considerable significance for developers, solicitors and surveyors involved in NSIP projects and other schemes requiring compulsory acquisition.
Mark Westmoreland Smith KC and Jonathan Welch who appeared on behalf of the Secretary of State in both the High Court and Court of Appeal in this case, will discuss the implications of the judgment.
The case is a judicial review challenge to the grant of development consent for two offshore windfarm projects: East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two (copy of judgment here).
In summary, the Appellant alleged that the Secretary of State acted unlawfully in dealing with its complaint that the Interested Parties had “stifled” or “neutralised” the ability of landowners facing possible compulsory acquisition to present objections to and information about a scheme for which development consent was sought. It was said that this was the effect of the Heads of Terms that the Interested Party had agreed with various landowners before and during the examination into the two applications, which included non-objection and confidentiality clauses.
The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the appeal, and upheld the decision to grant consent.
Practical Information
Date: 11 April 2024
Time: Registration over coffee and pastries from 8.00am. Briefing from 8.30-9.30am.
Venue: It will be held in person in chambers.
Booking: There is no charge to attend but places are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Bookings can be made using the booking form below.
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Apr' 24Annual Infrastructure Seminar (Hybrid)
This afternoon seminar will provide an opportunity to be informed about and discuss the latest developments in infrastructure planning with some of the leading barristers in the field. It will focus on key practical issues, providing a convenient way for busy solicitors, consultants and local authority officers to keep up to date and to manage the implications of recent changes.
Chair: Hereward Phillpot KC
Speakers and Topics:
• Recent developments in solar – Mark Westmoreland Smith
• DCO drafting – Michael Fry
• The infrastructure (Wales) Bill 2023 – Annabel Graham Paul
• Mitigation measures – Rebecca Clutten, Isabella Tafur
• Caselaw update – James Pereira KC, George Mackenzie
Practical Infrormation
Date: Monday 22 April 2024.
Time: Registration will take place from 1.30-2.00pm. The seminar will run from 2.00pm-5.30pm. It will be followed by a drinks reception from 5.30pm-6.30pm.
Format: The seminar will be run as a hybrid event enabling either in-person or virtual attendance. Please select the relevant option when booking.
Venue: Inner Temple, Crown Office Row, Temple, London EC4Y 7HL. Virtual attendees can join by Zoom (joining instructions will be sent to attendees a few days before the event).
Cost: The standard charge for this seminar is £160 + VAT per attendee for both in-person and virtual attendance. By booking three delegates at the same time, you will automatically be entitled to a special rate of three delegates for the price of two. Bookings can be made via Eventbrite and payment can be made by credit card at the time of booking or later by BACS but must be received prior to the event. Booking confirmations and invoices will be sent from Eventbrite by email.
There are limited number of free places available for local authorities. Please contact Deirdre Mahon, Marketing Manager for more information.