Chris is experienced in a wide variety of resource management and planning areas, and has been actively involved in resource consent applications and appeals on a range of major development projects. He has made numerous appearances at Council hearings, in the Environment Court and the High Court in relation to resource consent applications and district plan provisions, and has been responsible for a series of references on district and regional plans throughout the country.

Chris advises on specialist environmental aspects of real estate and corporate finance transactions. He has also assisted clients with issues related to compulsory acquisition of land.

Chris has over five years’ experience working in New Zealand. He also spent three years working in the environment / planning field in London, predominantly with a London City firm.

NOTABLE EXPERIENCE

• Successful High Court appearance on behalf of a major electricity generator defending judicial review challenge to grant of resource consents for a proposed Central Otago wind farm

• Assisting New Zealand's principal steel manufacturer and recycler obtain air discharge consent for continued operation of a significant steel manufacturing plant in Auckland

• Acting for New Zealand’s only fuel refining company in relation to plan references, proposed plan changes, designations and resource consent applications

• Providing strategic legislative and policy advice to a territorial authority to assist with development of a growth management strategy and district plan review

• Sole counsel for major multinational oil company in obtaining resource consent for a new-build service station including first instance hearing and appeal to the Environment Court

• Providing strategic consenting advice in relation to a proposed large scale and innovative offshore energy development in New Plymouth, including EEZ controls and requirements

• Preparing submissions to the Electricity Commission on behalf of a major energy industry entity in respect of proposed infrastructure upgrades intended to improve security of electricity transmission

• Advising landowners affected by Transpower's proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project

• Conducting due diligence investigations on major acquisitions and divestments of forestry, manufacturing and processing interests and preparing both purchaser and vendor due diligence reports following environmental investigations

• Advising a range of clients on Overseas Investment Act and associated regulations, including preparing applications under that Act

• Responsible for successful objection by National Amusements (operators of Showcase and Multiplex cinemas) against compulsory purchase order relating to acquisition of land for London 2012 Olympics

• Advising Microsoft Corporation on planning aspects of redevelopment of business park in Thames Valley, Reading (UK)

• Providing planning / environmental due diligence advice to Kenmore Group prior to its purchase of several UK business parks worth in excess of £50M