As an organisation, you want to maintain momentum. Yet regulation relating to the planning and environmental domain can cause delays or obstacles. New laws and regulations, societal challenges and spatial developments are increasingly interrelated and jointly affect how an area is designed and used. This calls for legal expertise that looks beyond a single area of law. 

We help you determine direction within this dynamic landscape and seize opportunities – enabling you to find the best route towards tomorrow

What does the planning and environmental domain involve?
The planning and environmental domain encompasses all physical, societal, ecological and functional factors that determine how people and organisations experience, use and influence an area. It therefore forms the broad arena in which spatial, environmental, social and economic legal issues arise.

In practice, these issues converge in complex projects and decision-making processes. Examples include organisations operating near Natura 2000 areas, industrial activity, housing development, the energy transition, infrastructure projects and the redevelopment of existing sites. Themes such as nitrogen and nature conservation, water and soil, and energy are playing an increasingly prominent role and require careful balancing and specialist expertise.

Regulation in this field calls for an integrated approach and a sound understanding of both public and private interests. Contractual arrangements form an essential foundation in this regard, for example in collaborations, project development, risk allocation between parties and dispute resolution.

Examples of planning and environmental topics on which we advise clients include:

• Spatial planning and plan-making.
• Environmental law (including nitrogen-related issues and nature protection).
• Water and soil matters.
• Energy law and the energy transition.
• Public procurement law and collaborations.
• Contract law in real estate, construction, leasing and project development.
• Disputes and proceedings.

Our strength lies in connecting our areas of expertise. We work closely with you and other involved parties to ensure that legal solutions align with practice and contribute to sustainable and future-proof developments.

Target groups and sectors in the Netherlands
Our planning and environmental practice serves a broad range of clients dealing with spatial planning, sustainability and environmental regulation. We advise, among others, public authorities, businesses, investors, asset managers, developers, contractors, financiers and corporate advisers. 

We support you in realising your plans, managing risks and resolving disputes within the planning and environmental domain.

We are active across various sectors, including:

• Real estate – project development, construction and civil engineering contracts, lease law (commercial and residential premises), permitting, real estate financing, property rights (long lease, rights of superficies and easements), procurement and new‑build and redevelopment projects.
• Nature – issues relating to nitrogen, business development and cessation, and water and soil challenges.
• Industry – heavy industry and manufacturing, with challenges relating to permits, nitrogen, water discharge and grid congestion.
• Energy – grid congestion and alternative energy solutions, such as energy hubs, cable pooling, battery storage, aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), geothermal energy and heat networks.
• Infrastructure and construction – complex construction and infrastructure projects, including nitrogen and environmental issues and procurement.

In addition, we are involved in matters in sectors such as:

• Healthcare – ranging from spatial development and permitting to lease and operating agreements, healthcare‑related M&A, subsidies and disputes in healthcare real estate projects.
• Technology and data centres – expansion issues in relation to nitrogen and energy supply.

Knowledge sharing
We actively share our knowledge through blogs, publications, webinars and seminars. This ensures that you remain up to date with current developments within the living environment. Please also keep an eye on our events page for upcoming sessions.