Neil has extensive experience in planning, compulsory purchase, parliamentary and environmental work.
Major public inquiries include 20 Fenchurch Street (“the Walkie Talkie Building”), the Smithfield General Market redevelopment, the English Partnerships Liverpool Pathfinder CPO, the Blackfriars Beetham Tower, and the Wandsworth Ram Brewery towers.
Recent court appearances include Pascoe v. Secretary of State (challenge to Pathfinder CPO), Morge v. Hampshire County Council in the Supreme Court (consideration of the Habitats Directive) and Britannia Assets v. Secretary of State (enforcement).
Neil has wide experience of section 78 and enforcement notice appeals. His experience in housings cases ranges from City centre tall buildings (such as the Ram Brewery, Wandsworth, and the Beetham Tower) to large greenfield sites, to retirement housing. Similarly retail experience ranges from superstores to discount supermarkets. Office developments include sites in and on the edge of the City of London.
He also has experience of minerals and waste, both in promoting and making representations on DPDs. He is currently advising on a mechanical biological treatment facility and on an energy from waste plant. He is advising a local authority on its minerals and waste core strategy.
Neil has promoted a number of town centre, housing and other compulsory purchases orders including the English Partnerships Liverpool Pathfinder CPO, the Arsenal Football Club CPO, housing CPOs in Stockton, and a town centre CPO in Blyth. He also appears in the Lands Tribunal on compensation cases.
Neil advised Intergen on section 36 Electricity Act applications to construct and operate 900 MW power stations, and related applications at Spalding and at Coryton. He has advised on depleted field gas storage and is advising E.ON on a salt cavity gas storage project. He appeared at the Holford gas storage planning inquiry. He has advised on storage of nuclear fuel, and on biomass generating stations.
Neil has experience of advising on a wide range of issues including the steps necessary to engage section 237 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 so as to authorise breaches of covenants and infringement of rights of light.
He has particular experience in Habitats and EIA cases. He represented Hampshire County Council the successful party in the Morge litigation in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. He has also dealt with habitats issues (appropriate assessment) at planning inquiries for residential (RAF Staff College Bracknell) and business uses (Aston Down, and Thameside Terminal).
Neil has experience of promoting and opposing private and hybrid Bills. He appeared for a number of petitioners on the Crossrail Bill, including five local authorities. He is currently advising a local authority in relation to HS2.
Neil is recognised in the leading UK legal directories, including Chambers & Partners Directory and the Legal 500.
”Neil Cameron QC, who garners praise for his meticulous approach to complex planning work. One impressed instructing solicitor said of him: "He has a forensic approach to work, and is very careful in all he does. He researches matters fully and never wings it, having always effectively prepared before any conference." (Chambers & Partners 2011)
"efficient, calm and friendly" and "He has the ability to quickly identify the most important elements of a transaction" (Chambers & Partners 2009) "flexible and adaptable with clients and solicitors". He is recognised as a leader in the field of planning "a superlative 'hands-on' practitioner". He is noted for his "thoroughness and excellent preparation". (The Legal 500)
He has been a Recorder since 2002.
Neil is a graduate of Durham University.
Neil is a member of PEBA, UKELA and the Parliamentary Bar Mess
He was appointed a Recorder in 2002.
10 Jun 2010
The Court of Appeal’s decision has clarified the extent of protection afforded to European protected species
04 Jul 2008
A case concerning the High Court challenge of a mineral and waste core strategy
01 Jan 2010
Enforcement notice appeal relating to unauthorised development of a trading estate
01 Mar 2009
Public inquiry into proposals to re use approximately 65,000 sq m of former airfield buildings for business purposes
01 Feb 2009
Public inquiry into Taylor Wimpey’s plans to develop Bracknell’s former RAF Staff College.
13 Nov 2008
Proposals for the redevelopment of buildings which make a positive contribution to a conservation area
29 Sep 2008
Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire 371 properties on an important arterial route into Liverpool
06 Nov 2007
Smithfields Inquiry
Acting for developer with Christopher Katkowski Q.C. in call in inquiry for major developer at Smithfield.The case turns on highly technical engineering and viability evidence to justify demolition of the unlisted part of Smithfield market. Other counsel involved included William Hicks Q.C. and Neil Cameron for the City of London and Robert McCracken Q.C. for English Heritage.
01 Apr 2007
Inquiry into proposal that will produce one of the most distinctive building profiles in World architecture
01 Jul 2003
Promotion of compulsory purchase and related orders for 60,000 seater new stadium
17 Jan 2012
27 Oct 2011
03 Sep 2011
14 Jun 2011
25 Mar 2011
Most of us are familiar with various statutory provisions which empower public authorities to acquire land compulsorily, we may be slightly less familiar with the relatively new and wide ranging power to seek compulsory acquisition rights when applying for an order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008 (“PA 2008”).
24 Mar 2011
09 Dec 2010
