AKD's environment and planning team, which is formed of ‘highly qualified lawyers’, is well-equipped to advise on the gamut of complex matters ranging from high-value major developments and zoning plans to contentious and non-contentious environmental issues regarding such aspects as the shipment of waste. Its client list features names including the Minister of Infrastructure and Environment in the Netherlands. Breda-based Jos Van Der Velden oversees the team, alongside Hugo Doornhof, who works from the Amsterdam office, and Rotterdam-based Gerrit van der Veen, who is described as being ‘straight to the point, reliable and very competent’. The ‘unique and down-to-earth’ Thomas Sanders is also a name to note, as is Eveline Sillevis Smitt, who is particularly focused on major development and enforcement matters. Henk Breeman retired from the team in December 2022. 

The environment and planning cohort at Houthoff has a strong reputation for its capabilities handling a broad scope of high-end advisory and litigious work. The team’s client portfolio spans industries ranging from the chemical, waste processing and energy, including renewables, sector to real estate. Examples of its high-value, and often cross-jurisdictional work includes advice on large-scale redevelopment projects and zoning matters on the planning side, and on climate action plans on the environmental side. Co-lead of the public law team Marry de Gaay Fortman supports team head Marloes Brans, whose broad expertise includes particularly issues surrounding climate risk and sustainability. Brans took over from former team lead Jan Frans de Groot, who departed in January 2023 to a position in The Dutch Council of State. Zoning and spatial planning specialist counsel and former practice head at CMS, Luurt Wildeboer bolstered the team in September 2022.

The Hague-based ‘best in class’ planning and environment practice at Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV is headed up by ‘very sharp, responsive and realistic lawyer’ Daniëlle Roelands-Fransen. The team’s longstanding client list is formed in significant part of public authorities. Examples of its work for its public-sector clients includes large-scale development projects, involving hundreds of new-build homes; representing the state on aircraft movements; and advising on zoning planning in Rotterdam city centre. Jelmer Procee is a key member of the team with particular expertise in cases involving compensation for loss, land development and expropriation. Infrastructure, area development and environmental conservation specialist Roelof Reinders is also a noteworthy practitioner. Liesbeth Schippers retired from the practice in November 2023.

The planning and environment group at Stibbe is well-equipped to handle an array of complex mandates, particularly in a public law context. The team advises various reputable companies on high-stakes matters surrounding the enforcement of environmental regulations; on permit applications; and on contentious, high-profile cases in connection with topics such as ESG and zoning. Overseeing the practice are planning, mobility and administrative law specialist Jan Reinier van Angeren; Anna Collignon, who acts for several heavy-industry companies and has expertise in nitrogen-related cases; renewables-focused Jan van Oosten; ‘expert lawyer’ Valérie van ’t Lam; Tijn Kortmann, who handles matters with enforcement and government liability aspects; and Tom Barkhuysen. Senior associates Liesbeth Berkouwer and Rut Molenaar-Wingens support on many of the team’s most prominent mandates.

Van der Feltz Advocaten‘s ‘high-quality and enthusiastic’ planning and environment group, based in The Hague, is well regarded for its ‘ability to find creative and practical solutions’. Its workload includes assisting its roster of clients on matters ranging from advising on large-scale transformation plans and assisting with negotiations surrounding high-value environmental-related guarantees pertaining to regulations in the Netherlands to contentious issues involving such complex aspects as unlawful GDPR violation connected to environmental monitoring. A ‘smart lawyer with broad knowledge’, Willem Bosma is at the helm of the team and leads on many of its most prominent matters, alongside real estate specialist Willem van der Werf. Other key practitioners include the ‘outstanding’ heavy industry-focused senior associate Pauline van Aardenne.

The ‘agile and flexible’ environment and planning cohort at Allen & Overy LLP has a strong reputation for its capabilities handling complex contentious matters for its portfolio of clients. The team also provides advice on all aspects of project developments. ‘Star’ practitioner Jochem Spaans heads up the team with particular strength in industry, climate change and energy-related projects. He is supported at the helm by counsel Marinus Winters, who is focused on regulatory aspects of gas and electricity markets. Senior associate Rob van der Hulle is ‘definitely one to watch’ with a developing specialism in compliance and spatial planning, in particular.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek houses a team of lawyers who provide a ‘high standard of legal advice’ in the environment and planning space. In addition to complex advisory work, the team handles an array of contentious matters. Environment and energy focused practitioner Arjan Kleinhout took over leadership of the practice in January 2023 following the departure of former team head Nicolien Van Den Biggelaar to a state council position in the same month. The team’s client portfolio includes prominent names such as the Royal Schipol Group and Shell. Counsel Jasper van Uden is well-regarded for his ability to ‘communicate even the most complex legal cases in an understandable manner’. Senior associate Claire Van Der Hoeven departed in March 2023.

Real estate boutique firm Hemwood has strong expertise advising on complex planning and environment matters, including development, expansion and transformation projects. It handles significant zoning and planning mandates for its portfolio of clients, and often assists with ESG considerations in connection with projects work. ‘Top-notch’ Eefje M. Van Bommel and Gijs Heutink co-lead the practice, which has seen significant growth: Monique Laenen and senior associate Elsbeth Meijboom notably bolstered the team with their September 2022 arrival from DLA Piper. Laenen is particularly experienced in matters pertaining to the preservation of iconic buildings. Senior associate Su Chun Li also joined from Florent in January 2023.

NautaDutilh’s planning and environment practice has a particular focus on non-contentious advisory work, including advising on matters such as the development of large-scale onshore projects, and on offshore wind projects. Additionally, the team assists companies with their ESG reporting. ‘Highly experienced’ team lead Iris Kieft has expertise in the legal aspects of climate change, the circular economy, and energy. Counsel Anke Holtland is a name to note. Departures from the team include those of former co-leads Stephan Sluiter, who left for independent practice in May 2023, and of Jolize Lautenbach who took on a judicial position in December 2023. Associate Arjen Praat also departed in April 2023.

NewGround Law B.V.‘s ‘excellent’ planning and environment practice is experienced in assisting its list of clients, which features key developers, on all aspects of large-scale real estate development and redevelopment projects, including advising on environmental impact assessments. Public law expert Anne-Marie Klijn leads on many of the team’s most preeminent matters, André Gaastra  has broad expertise across real estate and environmental law, and climate change and planning expert Erwin Noordover is also a key contact; the three co-head the practice. In April 2023, associate Pieter van der Woerd  departed, while associate Arjen Praat joined from NautaDutilh.

‘True joy to work with’ Alexandra Danopoulos, and ‘benchmark lawyer in the field’ Maayke Maas are at the helm of Ploum's Rotterdam-based planning and environment offering. Its client portfolio includes reputable names, from BP and Shell to Rotterdam Airport B.V. It assists said clients with a range of matters including those involving environmental and permitting aspects of new development projects of significant value, such as assisting Shell in obtaining a permit for Europe’s largest hydrogen plant. Brigitte Ebben is a key practitioner in the team who has a focus on environmental law and nature conservation issues, particularly those pertaining to nitrogen deposition.

At the helm of Straatman Koster Advocaten‘s Rotterdam-based environment and planning practice are real estate expert Joost Hoekstra, who has broad experience in project development matters, and the ‘service-focused’ Marinda de Smidt, who alongside associate Najoua Haireche, is an ‘expert in the Nature Conservation Act’. The practice has significant experience handling matters regarding zoning aspects of new developments in the energy sector in particular. Additionally, it is well-equipped to advise on environmental matters, such as advising and litigating for the Province of Ultrecht on licensing regulations surrounding the shooting of birds and foxes. Team changes include the departure of Anne Marie Ferwerda to an in-house role in January 2023.

Van Doorne‘s environment and planning team has a strong reputation advising its roster of clients, which includes names such as Shell International BV and ProRail BV. Cees Kniestedt and Ingeborg Wind-Middel co-head the team, which consists of specialists in the field, including Jeanette Ozinga, who is particularly focused on matters involving environmental industrial issues, and administrative law expert Jan van der Grinten. Senior associate Pim Jansen bolstered the cohort with his July 2023 arrival from NewGround Law B.V..

BarentsKrans‘ planning and environment team has extensive experience in public law, and its work includes advising on planning aspects of large-scale developments, assisting with zoning and environmental issues, among others. Since publication, Jesse Zijlma and Joost Huijgen have taken over leadership of the department.

Counsel Alexander IJkelenstam leads the ‘diverse and very hands-on’ planning and environment team at CMS, with support from the ‘massively helpful’ Martika Jonk. The team advises on environmental and zoning aspects of significant project development schemes in The Netherlands, while also demonstrating capabilities handling work in cross-jurisdictional contexts. Its client portfolio includes well-known names such as McDonalds Netherlands. Former team lead Luurt Wildeboer departed in December 2022.

Dentons‘ planning and environment offering has ‘expert in his field’ Jan Jakob Peelen at its helm. The team covers the range of public law expertise, from zoning and planning, which is a key focus area for Valentijn Leijh, to renewables work, where Peelen brings particular experience. The practice is also well equipped to handle disputes, including on topics such as nitrogen deposits and battery storage.

DLA Piper‘s planning and environment team, noted for its ‘efficient approach’, is experienced assisting its client base with an array of matters, and is led by Arjen De Snoo, who primarily focuses on planning, zoning, environmental and nature preservation work. The work portfolio includes advice on related joint ventures, acquisitions and redevelopment projects. Senior associate Ernst Haverkamp is a key practitioner, described as ‘interested, responsive and creative’. 

Lexence‘s environment and planning team is headed up by experienced public lawyer Michael Klijnstra who is adept handling both advisory and litigious matters in various contexts and is described as being ‘a great person to work with’. Zoning plans, building permits, compliance, and enforcement with regard to projects, developments and redevelopments are key areas of focus for the team.

The Rotterdam-based environment and planning practice at Loyens & Loeff is led by Guido Koop, who is supported by key practitioner Jan De Heer; both are regarded as ‘great sparring partners’ by clients. The team's advice ranges from topics such as the introduction of recycling systems to assisting with acquisitions and developments of significant projects. It also frequently handles compliance-related work.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s ‘diverse and open’ planning and environment team has significant expertise advising its portfolio of clients on the gamut of matters related to infrastructure and commercial projects, in particular. This includes advice regarding environmental permits, due diligence, contracts and compliance. Experienced practitioner in civil and administrative law Daphne Broerse heads up the practice. Former co-head of the team, counsel Bart Vis, departed the team in October 2022.

Irma Van Den Berg, recognised for her provision of ‘well-thought through advice’, is at the helm of Six Advocaten‘s environment and planning practice. The team advises its portfolio of clients on a broad scope of matters, often including sustainability and ESG aspects of projects. it is also well equipped to handle zoning and permitting issues, which constitutes Anita Nijboer‘s particular area of expertise. ‘Sharp litigation lawyer’ Fleur Onrust, who joined from ENVIR Advocaten in March 2023, has a niche focus on nature conservation. Hanneke Ellerman is also key to the practice.