Claire Petricca-Riding

My recent highlights include:

• Advising on the redevelopment and expansion of Bath Rugby’s stadium
• Advising Henry Boot Developments in connection with the Goole Freeport project.
• Advising on a major industrial and logistics scheme in Stockton-on-Tees
• Advising a joint venture between ESB Energy and Coriolis Energy in relation to a High Court challenge
• Leading environmental and planning due diligence on some of the firm’s most significant corporate and real estate transactions
• Advising on biodiversity net gain and habitat bank projects, including region-wide habitat delivery initiatives and long-term stewardship arrangements

These examples demonstrate the breadth of my practice across planning, environmental regulation, infrastructure, renewable energy and major development projects.

One of the most significant matters I have led involved the challenge to the reworking of pulverised fuel ash at Gale Common, which proceeded through the High Court and Court of Appeal. The case raised complex planning and environmental issues and required careful management of legal, technical and strategic considerations.

Another defining aspect of my career has been helping clients navigate some of the UK’s most complex regeneration, infrastructure and renewable energy projects. This includes leading planning and environmental advice on major city centre regeneration schemes, nationally significant development projects and pioneering biodiversity net gain initiatives.

These matters stand out because they required interdisciplinary thinking, stakeholder management and the ability to balance legal risk with commercial and environmental objectives.

I am ranked by Chambers and Partners for both Planning and Environment in the North West and recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Partner in Planning and Environment. Chambers notes my expertise in environmental regulatory matters, strategic planning and Section 106 agreements, while Legal 500 highlights my work across regeneration, renewable energy, habitat protection and environmental law.

I have been recognised by ENDS as one of the UK’s Top 100 Environmental Professionals and am a Chartered Waste Manager and member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. I am also active in UKELA, Women in Property, Women in Planning and Women in Sustainability.

Clients and peers describe me as:

• “Claire is absolutely first class. She has sound legal and tactical judgement.”

  – Chambers and Partners

• “Claire is extremely well organised, personable, very knowledgeable about current developments in law and policy, and a pleasure to work with.”

  – Chambers and Partners