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David Hardy is a Partner in our planning practice, with over 25 years’ experience advising public and private sector clients on a range of planning issues. David specialises in contentious planning issues, environmental and compulsory purchase-related work and litigation and has appeared as advocate at more than 400 inquiries.  

David has a particular interest and expertise in the renewable energy sector (including onshore wind, solar and biomass), but also advises clients across the full spectrum of planning issues including infrastructure, regeneration residential, commercial, built heritage, mines and minerals, waste and water and highways.

David is ranked as Band 1 Planning Solicitor in the Yorkshire and Humber Region by Chambers, and regularly lectures to planning organisations such as DLUHC, RICS, RTPI and RIBA.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "David has extensive knowledge on planning appeals and is very agile."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "David is excellent. He is very knowledgeable and has real in-depth understanding."
    Chambers, 2024
  • Quote
    "He is very incisive and gets to the critical issues very quickly."
    Chambers, 2022

Relevant experience

  • Over 200 onshore wind schemes, including taking more than half through the appeal process.
  • Community Wind Power on Sanquhar II and Fawside Wind Farms, two of the largest onshore wind farms in the United Kingdom.
  • A number of other Scottish onshore wind farm schemes under both the Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Electricity Act 1989.
  • Multiple developers on large scale solar farm projects across England and Wales.
  • A number of operators on battery storage development to be sited alongside new solar arrays, including retro-fitting by means of section 73 and/or section 96A applications.
  • Multiple house builders on sites across England including city centre regeneration and greenfield opportunities.
  • Clients on schemes relating to open cast mining, conventional deep mines, vein mineral extraction,  energy from waste, biomass, CCGT power stations and gas peaking.
  • Local authorities on strategic schemes and major litigation including coastal flood risk and leisure parks.

Education

  • 1992 - BCL (Hons), University of Oxford, Oxford.
  • 1991 - LLB (Hons) First Class, University of Bristol, Bristol.

Insights by David

Raeshaw Farms Limited v Scottish Ministers: A Change of Wind Direction?

20 Feb 2026 5 min read

Repowering UK Onshore Wind: Navigating the Planning and Consenting Landscape

13 Feb 2026 12 min read

Through the looking-glass: Planning permission granted on appeal for BESS at Culham, Oxford

01 Sep 2025 6 min read

Department of Energy Security & Net Zero consults on community benefits schemes and shared ownership models for low carbon energy infrastructure

28 May 2025 5 min read
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