Geoff is a chartered town planner with over 20 years planning consultancy experience and joined DWD in 2011.  He is also a member of the National Infrastructure Association.  He advises clients across a wide range of sectors and has particular expertise in relation to large scale infrastructure, commercial, retail and warehousing and logistics development.

Geoff has strong track record of delivery on major energy infrastructure projects and has acted as lead consultant on a number of Development Consent Order (DCO) applications advanced under the Planning Act 2008.  In doing so he has been responsible for co-ordinating multi-disciplinary teams, advising on consultation requirements, leading on the preparation of application documents, working with legal advisors on the preparation of draft DCOs and liaising with consultees on statements of common ground.  Geoff has also represented clients at a number of DCO examinations, including appearing at hearings on their behalf.  In addition, he has acted as planning advisor on a number of applications under Section 36C of the Electricity Act 1989 to vary existing power station consents and has prepared Section 37 applications for overhead electric lines.

As well as his core planning and consenting expertise, Geoff has a thorough understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and is regularly involved in EIA screening and scoping and reviewing Environmental Statements.

Expert witness work includes appearing at planning inquiries, informal hearings, DCO examination hearings and local development plan examinations.  Geoff regularly works alongside legal advisors and instructs Counsel on behalf of clients.

Specialisms

• Infrastructure and Energy
• Retail and Commercial

Services

• Planning and development viability
• Expert Witness
• Retail Impact Assessments
• S.106 Advice
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
• Planning Appeals
• Development Consent Orders (DCO)
• Strategic Planning & Feasibility
• S.36 of the Electricity Act 1989 variations
• S.37 of the Electricity Act 1989 applications
• Due Diligence Reports
• Heritage Advice
• Planning Conditions