Planning, Environment and Climate

Our Planning, Environment and Climate Law practice group sets the standard for energy, planning and environmental advice in Ireland. We are proficient navigators of the complex regulatory ecosystem and the development ambitions of a range of sector leaders. Lenders, semi-state and public sector bodies, and regulatory bodies trust us to distil clarity confidently, manage risk proactively and deliver results efficiently.

Whether you are advancing a large-scale infrastructure project, responding to an enforcement notice, or seeking to embed sustainability into your corporate strategy, our team provides the practical, commercial advice you need to move forward boldly. 

Areas of Expertise

Land Use & Zoning

Strategic advice on planning permissions, rezoning applications, and development plan compliance.

Environmental Compliance

Our expert team regularly advise public and private sector clients on their statutory obligations across air, water, waste, and noise regulation (including provisions of the Waste Management Act, 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations, Air Pollution Act, 1987, Water Services Acts). 

Environmental Licensing

Our leading multi-disciplinary team provide a broad spectrum of advice on every aspect of the life cycle of environmental licence applications. This includes the preparation and review of the application, the effect of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 on the licensing framework, renewals, and the consent process to obtain authorization. 

Our experts have a wealth of experience in the enforcement process and engaging with the EPA given our experience in both defending and prosecuting offences relating to breach of environmental licensing conditions. 

Our clients include developers and operators of data centres and renewable energy projects, semi-state and public sector bodies, and real estate developers of brownfield sites for manufacturing and a range of other clients.  Our extensive experience acting for public sector clients informs all our mandates, since precise and current knowledge of statutory duties and obligations, whether domestic or EU in origin, can be central to the advice you require.

Planning & Development applications

Risk analysis, preparation, review, and challenge of planning & development procedures. Our team is well versed in all issues impacting planning applications helping our developer clients to present targeted and comprehensive applications. We can also assist with any related queries raised by regulators in an efficient manner.

Energy

Our energy experts advise on the national, European and international legislative and regulatory landscapes that impacts all aspects of the energy sector. From developing and financing large energy infrastructure projects to policy making and industry regulation, we have vast experience advising public and private bodies, from government departments, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and System Operators to wind and solar farms, large energy users including data centers and lenders in the renewable energy sector.

Climate

Forward-looking counsel on net-zero commitments, and emerging climate legislation.

Regulatory Appeals & Disputes

Representation before An Coimisiún Pleanála and the courts in respect of appeals of planning applications and planning judicial reviews concerning a vast range of projects including wind farms, telecommunications structures, large scale and one off residential developments, mussel farms, wastewater treatment systems, airport developments, quarries and crematoriums. Out team provides advice on diverse grounds of challenge such as: breaches of planning legislation and the associated policy (e.g. Development Plans and material contravention), the regulatory framework under EU Directives including the Water Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive, as well as the public right to access information and participate in environmental matters (the Aarhus Convention).

Speak to our team

Our team combines deep regulatory knowledge with hands-on experience across the construction, energy, retail, agriculture, and public sector industries. We understand that planning and environmental challenges rarely occur in isolation — and we bring a joined-up approach that anticipates problems before they arise.