Partner

Robin Hutchison

Languages

English

Social media

Robin Hutchison is a Planning partner and head of our UK Energy & Infrastructure planning team. He has advised on some of the UK’s largest and most contentious energy and infrastructure projects including renewables, electricity networks, interconnectors, hydrogen and transport projects. Robin’s practice also includes development, infrastructure and compulsory purchase and he has complementary experience in public law and environmental law.

His experience encompasses DCO, CPO, planning, marine licensing and Electricity Act consents. He has significant experience of appeals, judicial review, inquires and DCO examinations.

Robin is qualified in Scotland and England & Wales, and is recognised by the legal directories as a leading individual in both London and Scotland.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

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

Chambers, 2024
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"He has an ability to understand and communicate complicated scientific material and advise on the commercial and practical considerations."

Chambers, 2024
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"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
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"Clients describe him as 'solution-driven' and praises his 'depth of knowledge across different industries'."

Legal 500, 2020
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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.

Memberships & Roles

National Infrastructure Planning Association
Scottish Renewables

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

Practice Areas

Environment Planning

sectors

Energy & Climate Change

Insights

Global Reach

UK Pay Gap Report 2024