Emma Dring

Emma has been instructed in a number of cases involving the various environmental impact assessments which are required in the planning context by EU law. With Paul Shaderevian she has worked from the pre-action stage up to the point of trial responding to a judicial review seeking to challenge planning enforcement decision making on the basis that it did not comply with the regulations on Environmental Impact Assessments. She continues to be instructed (with Paul Shadarevian) by a local authority in relation to judicial review challenging the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of its developing core strategy.

Emma has also been involved with a number of renewable energy matters:

• She appeared (with Richard Ground) in a week-long inquiry into a proposed bioliquid power plant in Bristol. The appeal involved significant legal argument about the materiality of concerns over the sustainability of the fuel source, and required a detailed understanding of issues relating to the Renewables Obligation and the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
• Emma also represented Rochdale, Rossendale and Calderdale Councils in a two week inquiry under the Commons Act 2006. The local authorities opposed an application to deregister and exchange common land to enable the construction of a wind farm (for which planning permission had already been obtained).
• During her pupillage Emma assisted Tom Cosgrove in a week-long planning inquiry into a proposed wind farm, which involved technical noise and landscape evidence.