Tom McNamara

Tom specialises in the consenting of major infrastructure projects. His experience includes advising on the promotion of projects under the Planning Act 2008, the Harbours Act 1964 and developments of national significance regime in Wales.

He has advised promoters in obtaining consent for some of the most significant projects nationally, including road schemes, electricity transmission projects and pipelines.

Tom’s expertise includes drafting, advocacy, interpretation and application of planning policy, environmental law and compulsory purchase.

As well as acting for promoters, Tom has experience of acting for and securing the interests of organisations and individuals affected by infrastructure projects including, most notably, High Speed Two.

Tom also offers expertise in statutory drafting and parliamentary procedure. He is one of a small number of lawyers who have advised on the promotion of private Bills in Parliament in recent years.

Jurisdiction: England & Wales

• Lead advisor on a major solar project in Yorkshire. The project is of national significance and the subject of a development consent order application.
• Advising for more than 7 years on the most significant road project since the M25 was built in the 1980s. Tom led in advising on the project’s approach to public consultation and environmental impact assessment.
• Advising on the promotion of a highly contested and widely publicised private Bill in Parliament.
• Advising on major electricity transmission and distribution projects in England and Wales.
• Advising a business affected by the construction of the London to Birmingham leg of HS2 through its commercial negotiations with HS2, leading to the completion of an agreement safeguarding the client’s long-term position.