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Robin Hutchison

Partner

Portrait ofRobin Hutchison

Robin Hutchison

Partner

Contact
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Saltire Court
20 Castle Terrace
Edinburgh
EH1 2EN
United Kingdom
Languages English

Robin Hutchison is a Planning and Environment partner who advises companies, public bodies and funders on major projects, developments and transactions.

He has a particular focus on planning/consenting in the UK energy and infrastructure sector. He has advised on some of the UK’s largest and most contentious energy and infrastructure projects including power stations, electricity networks, wind farms and transport projects.

Robin’s practice also includes real estate planning, compulsory purchase and environmental law and he has complementary experience in public law and European law.

His experience includes judicial review, DCO examinations and inquiries.

Robin is qualified in Scotland and England & Wales and advises on projects throughout the UK. 

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"Robin is a lovely person to deal with and is strong on environmental law."

Chambers, 2024

"He has an ability to understand and communicate complicated scientific material and advise on the commercial and practical considerations."

Chambers, 2024

"I really enjoy working with Robin Hutchinson. Not only is his advice really helpful and discussions very thought-provoking, he is also a thoroughly and genuinely nice person."

Chambers, 2023

"Clients describe him as 'solution-driven' and praises his 'depth of knowledge across different industries'."

Legal 500, 2020

Clients praise Robin for his "excellent knowledge and strategic approach." Sources describe him as "very quick to understand complicated and fairly esoteric technical issues."

Chambers, 2019

"Robin is a lovely person to deal with and is strong on environmental law."

Chambers, 2024

"He has an ability to understand and communicate complicated scientific material and advise on the commercial and practical considerations."

Chambers, 2024

"I really enjoy working with Robin Hutchinson. Not only is his advice really helpful and discussions very thought-provoking, he is also a thoroughly and genuinely nice person."

Chambers, 2023

"Clients describe him as 'solution-driven' and praises his 'depth of knowledge across different industries'."

Legal 500, 2020

Clients praise Robin for his "excellent knowledge and strategic approach." Sources describe him as "very quick to understand complicated and fairly esoteric technical issues."

Chambers, 2019

Relevant experience

  • SSE Renewables on a number of projects including consenting the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm and transmission works. Beatrice successfully achieved consent in March 2014.
  • National Grid on Development Consent Order applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects including the North Wales Connection Project and the King’s Lynn Power Station Connection Project and on the IFA2 Interconnector Project. King’s Lynn successfully achieved consent in December 2013.
  • Repsol on consenting the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm and transmission works and defending from a Judicial Review challenge by RSPB. The project successfully achieved consent in October 2014.
  • Orkney Islands Council on various planning and public law issues including Habitats Directive obligations.
  • Unite and Curlew on various student accommodation and multi-bed projects.
  • EDF ER on the acquisition, variation and extension of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
  • Stag Energy on three Development Consent Orders for new gas fired peaking plants. Hirwaun Power and Progress Power successfully achieved DCOs in July 2015.
  • Scottish Power on the Development Consent Order application for the North Wales Wind Farms Connection Project (17km 132kV overhead line).
  • Environment Agency on flood alleviation scheme projects including planning permission, permitted development rights, Compulsory Purchase Orders and Inquiries.
  • Various redevelopment projects on surplus land for clients including National Grid Property Holdings, Sapa and Nufarm.
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Memberships & Roles

  • National Infrastructure Planning Association
  • Scottish Renewables
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Education

  • 2005 - LLM Environmental Regulation (Distinction), The University of Dundee and the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, Dundee
  • 2003 - Law, LLB (Hons), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
  • 2002 - Law, LLB (U21 Exchange Programme), McGill University, Montréal, Canada
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Expertise

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