13 02 2026
Grid connections reform in practice
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Odette represents developers, public authorities and interested parties at all stages of the planning process, including in the Courts, section 78 appeals, and DCOs. Her experience includes large housing schemes, energy developments, rail, airports and minerals.
Since 2021, Odette has been an elected trustee of the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA). Odette is also an EYP Steering Group member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association (NIPA).
Some examples of her current planning cases include:
In terms of environmental law, Odette’s practice includes climate change, water law, environmental assessment and protected sites and species.
She has recently been part of international teams of Counsel:
Odette has broad public law experience. She is currently a member of the Attorney General’s “Junior Junior” Panel Scheme. In terms of pro bono work, she was part of the Counsel team that represented the Appellant in the Privy Council in Moss v The King [2023] UKPC 28, a case relating to conspiracy to murder in the Bahamas.
Odette represents developers, public authorities and interested parties at all stages of the planning process, including in the High Court, section 78 appeals, and DCOs. She is ranked as a “Rising Star” by Legal 500 and as a top-rated junior by Planning Magazine, and she has appeared in more than 35 planning inquiries and hearings.
Some examples of section 78 planning appeals that Odette is currently working on include:
Odette’s previous residential experience includes acting at a range of inquiries and hearings dealing with issues such as flood risk, five-year housing land supply, metropolitan open land, nutrient neutrality, transport and heritage issues. Recent advisory work includes advising in relation to post-consent amendments under s73/96A in relation to a 3,750 unit scheme in London (led by Zack Simons KC) and advising in relation to the Grey Belt policy tests for six potential residential sites in Lichfield.
Odette has particular expertise in energy work, having appeared in many of the key solar and battery inquiries of recent years. For example, at Burcot (ref: 3350890), she secured permission at inquiry for a 49.9MW solar farm and BESS on 57ha BMVAL, affecting a Grade I RPG, and being the first solar farm found to meet the new “Grey Belt” tests at appeal (unled). At Fillongley (ref: 3349391) she secured permission after a two-week inquiry for a 40MW scheme on a site that is Grey Belt, BMV, affecting multiple heritage assets, and with opposition from both the LPA and a Rule 6 Party (also unled). Other examples of solar appeals where Odette has acted for the successful developer include Upper Leigh, Washdyke, Belvoir Castle, Bramley, Southlands, Fobbing, Honiley Road, Langford, and Halse Road.
In terms of minerals work, Odette has acted for the developer as junior counsel in respect of two multi-week sand and gravel quarry inquiries (Straitgate and Hatfield). Her minerals advisory work has included EIA and climate change, 2042 end dates and ROMPs/IDOs, biodiversity net gain, and Green/Grey Belt.
As to nationally significant infrastructure proposals, Odette is currently acting for East West Rail in relation to applications for survey warrants under the Housing and Planning Act and for the host local planning authority in respect of an energy DCO examination. She appeared for a community group representing over 5,000 residents in the Gatwick Airport DCO.
Odette has experience of both bringing and defending judicial and statutory reviews, including under s.288 and s.289 TCPA. Her current judicial review instructions include challenges relating to: the second runway DCO at Gatwick Airport; an 1,800 home garden village; and the Sizewell C nuclear power station project. She appeared successfully for the solar developer as junior counsel in Bramley Solar Farm Residents Group v SoS [2023] EWHC 2842 (Admin), which has become an important precedent in relation to amendments at appeal stage and alternatives.
Since 2021, Odette has been an elected trustee of the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA). Odette is also an EYP Steering Group member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association (NIPA).
Odette’s practice spans a broad spectrum of environmental law matters, including environmental assessment, climate change, water law and protected sites and species. Since 2021, Odette has been an elected trustee of UKELA.
Recent instructions include:
Odette has a particular interest in EU environmental law and has provided expert legal commentary for LexisNexis on the implications of the Retained EU Law Bill for domestic environmental law. She is also part of PEBA’s retained EU law working party and a member of UKELA’s Environmental Assessment Working Party.
Odette has broad public law experience that extends beyond her planning and environmental practice. She acts for claimants, defendants and interested parties, and is a member of the Attorney General’s Junior Junior Panel Scheme.
In terms of pro bono work, Odette was part of the Counsel team that represented the Appellant in the Privy Council in Moss v The King (Bahamas) [2023] UKPC 28, a case relating to conspiracy to murder in the Bahamas. Odette has also volunteered for the School Exclusion Project, representing parents of children that have been permanently excluded from school at Governors’ Disciplinary Committee hearings and Independent Review Panels (IRP).
With a strong track record of advising and representing local authorities, we offer expert legal support across a diverse range of areas and issues. Recognised for our clear, pragmatic legal guidance and strong advocacy, we are well-placed to support local government bodies in meeting complex and evolving challenges.
Landmark's barristers often work at the intersection of our core practice areas; bringing a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience to bear on a particular dispute or issue facing a client.
Our focus is always on achieving the best possible outcome for our client. By viewing the client's objectives in a holistic way - and not purely through the lens of one rigidly-defined legal area - we deliver the best possible advice and representation in complex matters that engage multiple specialist areas of law.
Whether it's providing support as an individual cross-practice barrister or a cross-disciplinary team of Landmark counsel, we are able to draw on an outstanding array of complementary skillsets and knowledge bases. This often achieves a better result than instructing multiple barristers from different specialist sets. This also improves the quality of client care through increased levels of communication, quicker response times, and a coordinated approach to clerking and fees, made possible by our team-based cross-practice approach.
Please contact our practice management team for more information.
Odette always provides concise, direct and comprehensible advice. She is a calm and composed advocate."
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