Practice Profile
Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC (known universally as "AFU") practices in planning, environmental and compulsory purchase law. He specialises in Housing, Regeneration, Minerals, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Data Centres, Energy, Waste, Renewables and all aspects of Compulsory Purchase.
Andrew is identified as a Leading Silk in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, He is described as
As "an experienced counsel possessed of great style", he is described in the legal directories as "ambitious and hard-working [and] provides excellent, pragmatic advice" and is "a robust advocate" who has "great tactical awareness and the ability to highlight and concentrate on the main issues of a case". He is said to be "A well-prepared barrister who fights for his clients. He has a very impressive brain" and is "a name to turn to for big planning inquiries."
Having occupied "a pre-eminent place at the junior bar", Andrew took silk in 2015 in a "richly deserved and popular appointment." Before taking silk, Andrew was recognised as a leading junior in the Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and Legal Experts.
Andrew is the consultant editor of Halsbury's Laws: "Mines, Minerals and Quarries", 5th and 6th editions and writes the Legal Comment column in Mineral Planning.
Andrew prides himself on his "approachable, modern style", flexibility and quality of service. He is always happy to travel to clients' offices and to discuss cases informally before instruction.
He is also in demand as a lecturer and trainer. Links to some of his more recent webinars can be found at the end of this profile.
He is qualified to accept instructions directly from the public under the Direct Public Access Scheme.
Andrew specialises in housing, regeneration, large infrastructure, data centres, waste and energy projects (including Energy from Waste), minerals and mining, and renewables.
He also has particular expertise in dealing with Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects under the 2008 Planning Act regime and was the first junior ever entrusted with the promotion of a DCO. He deals in particular with windfarms, road, rail, port and power station projects.
Andrew also has extensive experience of promoting Local Plans and representing developers at Local Plan and Mineral Plan Examinations
His planning practice also encompasses all areas of enforcement, green belt and listed buildings and conservation. Andrew has a further expertise in outdoor advertising.
His work encompasses DCO Hearings, Planning Inquiries, Local Plan Examinations, CPO inquires and compensation hearings, and associated High Court and Court of Appeal challenges, as well as advisory work in all these areas.
He is the consultant editor of Halsbury's Laws of England, Vol 31, Mines, Mineral & Quarries, 5th ed.
Residential and Regeneration
- Promoting a 5-storey flatted development at Wexham Road, Slough.
- Appearing for the LPA at an inquiry into a 700-unit scheme at Brackley, West Northants.
- Advising LPA and promoters of major regeneration scheme at Meridian Water, Enfield.
- Appearing for the County Council in an inquiry concerning education contributions at Newent, Forest of Dean.
- Appearing for the County Council in an inquiry concerning education contributions at Harp Hill, Cheltenham.
- Appearing for Persimmon Homes in a judicial review of pre-commencement conditions concerning the major development at Yew Tree Lane, Droitwich.
- Advising LPA on relocation of wholesale meat market in Bradford.
- Appearing for Trenport Investments promoting residential development as part of the Euro IV redevelopment in Shepway, Kent
- Appearing for Newcastle-under-Lyme Council in a major residential appeal at Keele University's Hawthorns site;
- Appearing for Newcastle-under-Lyme Council in major residential appeal at Baldwin's Gate, Staffordshire;
- Promoting a 19-storey student accommodation block at Great Dover Street, Southwark;
- Acting for the Mayor of London at the Trad Site, Imperial Way, Bow inquiry, successfully resisting a scheme for a major residential scheme with 19 and 15 storey tower blocks;
- Acting for Q Hotels promoting a extension of a planned PGA championship-standard golf course at Forest Pines Golf Centre, North Lincolnshire.
- Acting for Trenport Investments/Berkeley Homes at the 4-month Tonbridge & Malling Major Sites Inquiry, where Andrew acted for Homes in securing planning permission for 1,000 houses Holborough Valley development.
- Acting for Trenport Investments/Berkeley Homes promoting at inquiry the Peters Village 1,000 unit scheme
- Overturning the PPS12 presumption of soundness in the Court of Appeal and quashing the adopted affordable housing policy in one of the very first successful High Court challenges to a new style DPD in Persimmon Homes v Blyth Valley DC;
Waste
- Successfully bringing an action for judicial review to quash a grant of planning permission to Transport for London for a "Boris Bike" docking station opposite a Listed Building on Fulham Palace Road.
- Promoting a 19-storey student block opposite the Grade II* listed Church of St.George the Martyr at Great Dover Street, Southwark.
- Promoting the ground-breaking eco-home Sundial Gardens House in Coln St.Aldwyns, Gloucestershire in the Cotswolds AONB and adjacent to the Grade II listed Church of St.John the Baptist (2010).
- Promoting an 80-unit residential scheme at Bransford Road, Worcester where the development was required to preserve and convert the locally-listed former Cinderella Works shoe factory.
- Quashing the designation of a conservation area by Worcester City Council, where the designation was an illegitimate attempt to frustrate a development which involved the demolition of a locally-listed cricket pavilion: Arndale Properties Ltd, R (on the application of) v Worcester City Council [2008] EWHC 678 (Admin).
Enforcement and Caravans
- Acting for Blackpool Council securing interim injections against G&T site.
- Acting for the developers Hawkspare Ltd in a major enforcement appeal concerning a commercial site in the Kent Green Belt – one of the earliest test of Grey Belt principle at appeal
- Advising undertaker of Liverpool Bay CCS DCO on removal of protestors and on disputed accesses to scheme land.
- Acting for Transport for London in injunction cases against Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil protestors.
- Appearing for the developers in the leading cases concerning the interpretation of planning permissions for caravan sites of Barton Park Estates -v- SSCLG [2022] EWCA Civ 833 and Norfolk Caravan Park -v- SSCLG [2021] EWHC 2114 (Admin).
- Appearing for the successful appellants in the leading Court of Appeal enforcement case of Ahmed v SSCLG [2014] EWCA Civ 566.
- Appearing for the appellant in the High Court enforcement cases Silver -v- SSCLG [2014] EWHC 2729 (Admin) and in Elmbridge - v- SSCLG [2015] EWHC 1367 (Admin).
Outdoor Advertising
- Advising Barratt Homes on the outdoor advertising at the Great Western Quarter development in West London
- Appearing for Clear Channel plc in the Court of Appeal in the leading case Clear Channel v LB Hammersmith;
- Appearing for Clear Channel plc in the Court of Appeal in the leading case Clear Channel v LB Southwark;
- Appearing at Advertising Appeal Hearing and advising on planning permission for "Octupus" office building in Chiswick;
- Quashing prosecutions relating to adverts on Wembley Way on the grounds of abuse of process in Postermobile plc v LB Brent.
Listed Building and Conservation
- Acting for the developer in successfully defending a prosecution by Westminster Council for the alleged destruction of a wall during the reconstruction of a listed building in the Paulton Square Conservation Area in Chelsea.
- Successfully bringing an action for judicial review to quash a grant of planning permission to Transport for London for a "Boris Bike" docking station opposite a Listed Building on Fulham Palace Road.
- Promoting a 19-storey student block opposite the Grade II* listed Church of St.George the Martyr at Great Dover Street, Southwark.
- Promoting the ground-breaking eco-home Sundial Gardens House in Coln St.Aldwyns, Gloucestershire in the Cotswolds AONB and adjacent to the Grade II listed Church of St.John the Baptist (2010).
- Promoting an 80-unit residential scheme at Bransford Road, Worcester where the development was required to preserve and convert the locally-listed former Cinderella Works shoe factory.
- Quashing the designation of a conservation area by Worcester City Council, where the designation was an illegitimate attempt to frustrate a development which involved the demolition of a locally-listed cricket pavilion: Arndale Properties Ltd, R (on the application of) v Worcester City Council [2008] EWHC 678 (Admin).
- Advising undertaker of Liverpool Bay CCS DCO on removal of protestors and on disputed accesses to scheme land
- Acting for host Highway Authority at Lower Thames Crossing DCO Examination
- Acting for host authorities at Medworth EFW DCO Examination
- Acting for promoters of East Anglia No 2 offshore windfarm
- Advising LPA on JR challenge at South Ockenden solar farm
- Acting for CPRE Oxfordshire on planning appeal against refusal of s73 application relating to solar farm south of Oxford
- Advising South Teeside Development Corporation on the Teesworks regeneration scheme.
- Advising UK Major Ports Association on changes to ports’ GDPO rights.
- Advising on legal challenge to Cleeve Hill solar farm, North Kent
- Promoting at inquiry the redevelopment of the Daw Mill colliery site for a rail maintenance and production facility.
- Advising the providers of worker accommodation for the Wylfa B nuclear power station DCO.
- Advising the promoters of the Tilbury Port extension DCO.
- Promoting at Examination the White Rose CCS power station DCO, the first-ever commercial-scale CCS coal-fired power station.
- Advising I-Gas on their planning application for exploratory shafts for Fracking at Mission Hills, Nottinghamshire.
- Advising the operators of Purfleet Port on expansion DCO.
- Acting for C.Gen at Hornsea 2 offshore windfarm Examination
- Promoting at Examination the North Killingholme (Generating Station) Order at Examination. Andrew acted for the applicant (C.GEN) for this DCO to enable the construction of a combined gas and coal fired power station at Killingholme on the southern banks of the River Humber. He was the very first junior counsel entrusted with the promotion of a DCO.
- Represented objectors to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon scheme;
- Advised the Port of London Authority in respect of the Thames Tideway Tunnel;
- Appearing for Milton Keynes Council at the Orchard Way Windfarm inquiry, the first inquiry held following the issue of new Planning Guidance on Renewable Schemes;
- Advising Milton Keynes Council on a judicial review challenge to their Wind Energy SPD which sought to impose mandatory separation distances between wind turbines and residential properties;
- Appearing for C.RO/C.GEN (Humberside Ro-Ro Ferry Terminal) at the NSIP Panel examination into the Able Maritime Industrial Park, Killingholme, North Lincolnshire;
- Acting for North Devon DC resisting the Batsworthy Cross windfarm at Knowstone, North Devon, in the first major windfarm inquiry fought under the NPPF;
- Appearing for The Isle Of Wight Council resisting the proposed Cheverton Down windfarm;
- Resisting the Three Moors Windfarm proposal on the borders of Exmoor National Park.
- Acting for host Highway Authority at Lower Thames Crossing DCO Examination
- Acting for host authorities at Medworth EFW DCO Examination
- Acting for promoters of East Anglia No 2 offshore windfarm at DCO Examination
- Advising LPA on JR challenge at South Ockenden solar farm
- Acting for CPRE Oxfordshire on planning appeal against refusal of s73 application relating to solar farm south of Oxford
- Advising South Teeside Development Corporation on the Teesworks regeneration scheme.
- Advising UK Major Ports Association on changes to ports’ GDPO rights.
- Advising on legal challenge to Cleeve Hill solar farm, North Kent
- Promoting at inquiry the redevelopment of the Daw Mill colliery site for a rail maintenance and production facility.
- Advising the providers of worker accommodation for the Wylfa B nuclear power station DCO.
- Advising the promoters of the Tilbury Port extension DCO.
- Promoting at Examination the White Rose CCS power station DCO, the first-ever commercial-scale CCS coal-fired power station.
- Advising I-Gas on their planning application for exploratory shafts for Fracking at Mission Hills, Nottinghamshire.
- Advising the operators of Purfleet Port on expansion DCO.
- Acting for C.Gen at Hornsea 2 offshore windfarm Examination
- Promoting at Examination the North Killingholme (Generating Station) Order at Examination. Andrew acted for the applicant (C.GEN) for this DCO to enable the construction of a combined gas and coal fired power station at Killingholme on the southern banks of the River Humber. He was the very first junior counsel entrusted with the promotion of a DCO.
- Represented objectors to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon scheme;
- Advised the Port of London Authority in respect of the Thames Tideway Tunnel;
- Appearing for Milton Keynes Council at the Orchard Way Windfarm inquiry, the first inquiry held following the issue of new Planning Guidance on Renewable Schemes;
- Advising Milton Keynes Council on a judicial review challenge to their Wind Energy SPD which sought to impose mandatory separation distances between wind turbines and residential properties;
- Appearing for C.RO/C.GEN (Humberside Ro-Ro Ferry Terminal) at the NSIP Panel examination into the Able Maritime Industrial Park, Killingholme, North Lincolnshire;
- Acting for North Devon DC resisting the Batsworthy Cross windfarm at Knowstone, North Devon, in the first major windfarm inquiry fought under the NPPF;
- Appearing for The Isle of Wight Council resisting the proposed Cheverton Down windfarm;
- Resisting the Three Moors Windfarm proposal on the borders of Exmoor National Park.
- Advising central government (off-panel) on proposals to remove “hope value” from CPO compensation.
- Acting for claimants in compensation claims arising from CPO in Plymouth city centre
- Acting for acquiring authority in compensation claims arising from (abortive) redevelopment of Bristol City FC Ashton gate ground
- Advising and acting for the promoters of the CPO for the urban regeneration scheme at Bridge Close, Romford.
- Advising on CPO relating to Islamic Centre, Romford
- Acting for the lead objector at the Alma Close urban regeneration CPO inquiry.
- Acting for the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in their Upper Tribunal appeal following compulsory purchase of land at Dartford Hospital for the Dartford Fasttrack rapid transit system;
- Appearing at the planning inquiry for the 1,000 houses Peters Village Scheme, Kent and advising on CPO issues thereafter.
- Acting for/advising Sheffield City Council on acquisition of unused properties in the city;
- Bringing a High Court challenge to the acquisition of a large terrace of houses by Blackburn with Darwen Council for the purpose of Darwen Academy School;
- Appearing for Stagecoach Buses at the Olympic CPO Inquiry.
- Persuading the Inspector to recommend refusal of the Arsenal Football Stadium CPO;
- Acting for LB Greenwich on Greenwich Local Plan (forthcoming)
- Acting for Winchester City Council promoting the Winchester Local Plan at Examination
- Acting for LB Lewisham promoting housing, affordable housing and G&T aspects of the Lewisham Local Plan at Examination
- Acting for Trenport Investments at the Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan Examination
- Acting for LB Havering promoting the Havering Local Plan at Examination
- Appearing for the SE Milton Keynes Consortium of developers at the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan Examination
- Appearing for the developers of Manston Airport at the Thanet Local Plan Examination
- Appearing for the developer Waystone Ltd promoting the Clowne North SUE at the Bolsover Local Plan EIP;
- Appearing for Trenport Investment promoting residential development sites at the Swale Local Plan Examination
- Advising on minerals rights and infrastructure rights on sites in Northumberland, Co. Durham, Shropshire, South Wales and others.
- Acting for the developer in resisting judicial review challenge to the grant of permission for oil drilling in SOS Biscathorpe -v- SSCLG and Egdon Resources.
- Acting for the promoters at the 3-week Gorse Lane Quarry, nr. Grantham, Lincs limestone quarry inquiry
- Acting for the promoters at the 3-week Pave Lane Quarry, Telford, Shropshire sand and gravel quarry inquiry.
- Acting for Hargreaves Surface Mining at the Field House Surface Mine inquiry
- Securing permission for UK Coal at the reconvened Bradley Surface Mine inquiry
- Successfully striking out an application by Hartleyburn Parish Council under section 288 to challenge the planning permission granted for an opencast mining scheme at Halton Lea Gate, Northumberland (see below).
- Acting for Mick George Ltd in securing permission at inquiry to infill the Thornhaugh II quarry site nr. Peterborough with inert waste;
- Securing planning permission for an opencast mine at Halton Lea Gate, Northumberland, immediately adjacent to the North Pennines AONB, in the first opencast inquiry fought under the NPPF;
- Appearing for UK Coal at Bradley Surface Mine inquiry in the Derwent Valley, Co. Durham and acting in the High Court challenge;
- Acting for UK Coal in securing planning permission at inquiry for the Huntington Lane Surface Coal Mine, Shropshire and the Long Moor Surface Coal Mine, Leicestershire and successfully resisting a judicial review of the grant of permission at Long Moor;
Affiliations
- PEBA
- ALBA
Education
- St. Catharine's College, Cambridge MA (Hons) Cantab, 1st Class
- Inns of Court School of Law, Very Competent
Scholarships
- Astbury Law Scholar of the Middle Temple.
- Inns of Court Studentship Award.
Languages
- French (proficient)
- German (intermediate)
- Russian (intermediate)
He is also in demand as a lecturer and trainer on a wide range of planning matters. He was given the prestigious task of Conference Summariser at the Oxford Joint Planning Law Conference in 2007.
He has recently given training sessions on matters as diverse as accommodating asylum seekers, local plan reform and planning for data centres.
Latest from Andrew
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Sep' 26Final Injunction Granted to Secure Removal of Unauthorised Settlement in Marston Moss Conservation Area
Blackpool Council have been granted a final injunction under section 187B of the TCPA 1990 to secure the removal of an unauthorised gypsy settlement at a sensitive site in the Marston Moss Conservation Area.
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Mar' 26Winchester Local Plan Adopted
At a meeting of full Council last night, the Winchester Local Plan was formally adopted. It will guide development across the district for the next 20 years.
03
Mar' 26Self-Storage Facility Allowed on Appeal
Cinch Self-Storage have been granted permission on appeal for a five-storey self-storage facility at Eclipse Park, Maidstone. The appeal considered issues of character and appearance, design and economic benefits.
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Jan' 26FTB at MIPIM 2026
A team of members and clerks is very much looking forward to attending MIPIM 2026 in Cannes from 9-13 March 2026.
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Sep' 23Windfarms: Re-birth or false dawn?
Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC reflects on last week’s policy announcements about onshore wind.
I used to love windfarm inquiries. They were inevitably in remote and scenic places, the passionate views on both sides of the argument always made them lively encounters, and the advocates’ task in weighing up the nuances of energy policy against the Marmite views on visual impact was always a great challenge.
Back to Barristers
"Andrew was excellent to work with throughout the process. His support, guidance, and communication were superb."
Chambers and Partners, 2025"Andrew is fantastic to work with. He gets to grips with the subject mater extremely quickly, and provides quality advice."
Legal 500, 2025"He is highly impressive and formidable advocate."
Chambers and Partners, 2023"His advice is pragmatic and acknowledges the commercial realities of a given situation and his advocacy is to the point and confident."
Chambers and Partners, 2023"He is very approachable, knows his law and is a strong advocate and speedy responder."
Chambers and Partners, 202316
Nov' 26Annual Infrastructure Seminar 2026
An afternoon seminar followed by a drinks reception.
Chair: Alexander Booth KC
Keynote address from Sir Keith Lindblom
Confirmed speakers: Gregory Jones KC, Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC, Mark Westmoreland Smith KC, Isabella Tafur KC, Charles Merrett, Jonathan Welch, Armin Solimani, Claire Nevin, Emma Rowland.
Confirmed topics:
- Data centres in the DCO regime
- Survey access: Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and Barstow v Green Generation Energy Networks Cymru Ltd
- Water infrastructure in the 2008 Act
- Judicial review reforms in planning and infrastructure
- Case law update
Practial Information
Date: Monday 16 November 2026.
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 £180+VAT per attendee for both in-person and virtual attendance. An early bird rate of £160.00+VAT is available until COB on Friday 17 October.
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 on both the early bird and standard rates. 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.