John has practised in the field of planning and environmental law for over 25 years. He advises on commercial and infrastructure projects, many of national and regional significance, involving complex issues of planning and nature conservation policy, environmental assessment, compulsory purchase and special statutory procedures.
Among the projects he has been involved with are nuclear power (Windscale and Sizewell B), gas fired power stations, gas terminals and pipelines (Point of Ayr, Barrow, St Fergus, Cromarty Firth, Killingholme and Easington) on and offshore oil and gas exploration, waste management and waste to energy, highways (including advising the Highways Agency on DBFO contracts), reservoirs, airport expansion schemes, law and practice of consenting for large industrial plant and infrastructure projects and associated issues of need, alternatives, visual impact, noise, ecology, air quality and traffic, port developments, on and offshore wind energy and retail industrial and housing projects.
Projects on which John has recently advised include:
- Wave Hub - an offshore testing station (25MW) for wave energy devices off North Cornwall (South West Regional Development Agency)
- Dibden terminal - a major new container terminal for the Port of Southampton involving a year long public inquiry (Associated British Ports)
- Newhaven waste to energy - a large waste processing facility to serve East Sussex (Veolia Environmental Services)
- London Array - the largest of the Round Two offshore wind farms (1000MW) including public inquiry into the associated onshore works (Shell WindEnergy and EON UK)
- Energis House - a major redevelopment in central Reading (Reading Borough Council)
- Edinburgh trams and Waverley Line - Scottish Private Bill for light and heavy rail (Scottish Parliament)
- Easington gas terminal - reception facility for a major gas import scheme from Norway (Norsk Hydro)
John is recognised as a leader in the field of planning in Chambers Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2011 which says 'he is praised by sources for his excellent client service. One said of him "He pays a lot of attention to client requirements and he has thorough attention to detail"'.
John frequently gives lectures and seminars for the Royal Town Planning Institute, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and other conference organisers and is a member of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association.