Richard specialises in planning law and the authorisation of major infrastructure projects. He has nearly 20 years’ experience of guiding private and public sector clients through the planning process. He has promoted and opposed Development Consent Orders (DCO), compulsory purchase orders, planning applications, and hybrid bills in respect of a wide range of energy, transport and commercial projects. To date, he has advised on the promotion of 15 DCO projects, with a primary focus on major renewable energy projects including large scale solar. He offers expertise in advising on planning, scheme development and strategy, environmental / EIA, highways and heritage law and procedure, public inquiry / hearing / judicial review work, advising on compulsory purchase and compensation, and negotiating complex planning, highway and objector / landowner agreements. Richard heads up BDB Pitmans’ energy practice, leads the firm’s Climate Change Strategy Group, and also regularly speaks at conferences and seminars on current issues in planning and infrastructure.