Plant decommissioning and site closure projects are sensitive and not without risk. Businesses face a range of commercial and reputational concerns and need expert guidance through this complex process.
We have developed a specialist service for clients who need advice on plant decommissioning and site closure. We understand the intricacies of the laws around site closure and how the legal aspects of the project interlink with wider business needs.
Our advice covers all of the key legal disciplines involved in plant decommissioning: from planning, construction and real estate issues to employment and health and safety matters. Our specialist lawyers integrate seamlessly with the client's own internal and external advisory teams.
We have worked on many of the UK's most high profile site closure projects, including manufacturing and chemical sites, and coal and gas power stations. We also advised on the decommissioning of Magnox nuclear power stations and the Dounreay site, the largest decommissioning project the UK has seen.
Areas of focus
Our plant decommissioning and site closure expertise includes the following:
- Input into strategies for mothballing, closure and for redevelopment of facilities.
- Environmental permits, variation and surrender and planning issues.
- Leasehold surrender and surrounding conditions.
- The dismantling and on-sale of key plant and equipment to third party purchasers.
- Demolition and remediation contracts.
- Mitigating environmental liabilities.
- Dealing with nuisance, trespass and protester actions.
- Business rates and the wind down of commercial contracts.
- Redundancy and employment issues.