Catherine is a partner and head of planning based in our London office and specialises in planning, consents and environmental law.
Catherine helps commercial developers and promoters of energy and infrastructure projects on many high-profile and politically sensitive projects. She has particular expertise in promoting development consent orders (DCOs), habitats regulation, compulsory purchase and environmental impact assessments. She began her career advising on the New Tyne Crossing tunnel project. She has promoted DCOs for the Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear power stations, and the Aquind Interconnector (between the UK and France). She acts for the operators of Gatwick and Luton airports on their expansion plans, is advising on energy from waste and solar DCO projects, and for many years was at the forefront of UK fracking, acting for Cuadrilla Resources on its applications for exploration sites in Lancashire.
Catherine in recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK, where she is recognised as "a terrific leader, she is knowledgeable, wise and thorough", and noted for her ability to "combine intellectual rigour with a willingness to go into detail". Clients also recognise that "Catherine Howard brings so much to any conversation; her advice is tailored and to the point".
Background
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Philosophy, Psychology and Physiology (honors) from Oxford University (Worcester College).
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- EDF Energy on the promotion of DCOs for Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear power stations
- Gatwick Airport Limited on its development consent proposals to bring the existing Northern Runway into routine use
- London Luton Airport Operator Limited in relation to the expansion of capacity at Luton airport
- Aquind Interconnector on its DCO for a £1 billion subsea electrical connection between the UK and France
- Evolution Power in relation to DCOs for solar projects in the UK
- Indaver in relation to its plans for an energy from waste DCO project at Rivenhall in Essex
- Cuadrilla Resources on planning applications, public inquiries and judicial reviews relating to shale gas exploration in Lancashire
- Bp in relation to its carbon capture and storage project in the North Sea
- Rathlin in relation to planning applications for gas production in North Yorkshire
- Sellar Property Group and MTR (Mersey 1 Limited) on the £1.5bn redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station and the Grade II* listed Great Eastern Hotel
- British Land in relation to obtaining planning permission to extend their 1 Triton Square office building in Camden, London
- Related Argent on the planning aspect of the residential-led mixed-use regeneration scheme at Tottenham Hale, London
Sectors
Related insights
