Mark Lowe QC

“great environment barrister”

‘very experienced, with deep knowledge of the field and sound judgement’

Mark Lowe is recognised as a leading silk in this field. Much of his experience of handling these issues has been gained in the context of the environmental assessment of applications for planning permission for major development projects, particularly in the spheres of energy and waste, High Court challenges to planning decisions and the environmental assessment of plans and in the context of planning inquiries.

Mark recently appeared in the leading case of Save Historic Newmarket Ltd v Forest Heath District Council [2011] EWHC 606 (Admin) in relation to the SEA of a Development Plan.

Other significant experience includes appearing in the Hartlepool ‘Ghost Ships’ litigation surrounding the proposal to break up the redundant US fleet in the UK, as well as advising on the content of Environmental Assessments and the impact of the Habitats Directive on individual development proposals.

His recent experience includes a judicial review of an energy to waste proposal and being retained to advise Plymouth City Council on issues relating to proposals for a major waste to energy plant in the city.His work has included SSSIs noted for their mycological interest, migratory birds, and protected species (badgers, bats, newts and other reptiles etc).

The most recent Legal 500 ranks Mark within their top silks in the newly combined category, 'Health, Safety and Environment'. Mark Lowe QC is ‘very experienced, with deep knowledge of the field and sound judgement’.

In the 2009 edition he is recognised as ‘particularly good on matters involving historic environment‘, and is described as “a regular face at public inquiries”. In the 2008 edition he was singled out as a ‘great environment barrister’ having acted in an inquiry into one of the largest residential-led zero carbon emissions developments in England.