Expert Environmental and Planning Lawyers in Belfast

Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s unique, multi-disciplinary team of planning and environmental lawyers deliver leading planning and environmental services in Northern Ireland.

Our dedicated planning and environment team offers a unique set of skills, with a wealth and depth of experience in the three interlinked disciplines of environmental law, planning law and public law, with a particular emphasis on judicial review in the planning and environmental context. These complimentary specialisms allow the team to provide comprehensive and proactive advice to their clients.

The team works on significant projects in Northern Ireland, advising on high-profile and complex matters, which demonstrates the team’s strong presence as a leading practice in the market.

We also work for promoters of schemes and specific industry groupings, with substantial experience in acting for local planning authorities and, to a lesser extent, objectors, whether it is commercial rival operators or residents.

Expert advice from our Planning & Environment legal team

Our clients benefit from our knowledge of the inner workings of public authorities and relevant statutory bodies, enabling us to provide integrated planning and legal advice.

We also provide advice on planning and environmental issues in a transactional context, through the site or business acquisition stage and also on operational issues. This requires close liaison with our Commercial Real Estate team, headed by Joe Marley and the Corporate & Commercial team, headed by Paul McBride.

Our Environmental and Planning Law Team works with a wide range of clients 

We have represented clients before the Planning Appeals Commission and in judicial review proceedings before the High Court in Northern Ireland.

Our team advises local and international clients, including prominent manufacturers and food processors, energy companies, waste operators, local councils, international mining companies and developers within the construction industry.

Planning matters we have worked on with clients this year include significant infrastructure developments across Northern Ireland, including the proposed development of a goldmine in County Tyrone, which is one of the largest and most complex planning applications ever to have been submitted in Northern Ireland.

Our team is recognised for its client-centric approach, leading insights and ability to handle all aspects of planning & environmental work, which allows them to deliver responsive, proactive and expert advice.