WJM at the Forefront of Sustainability Issues in Scotland
Published byElizabeth Tainsh
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie’s planning and environmental solicitor, Elizabeth Tainsh was among a consortium of experts who recently presented sustainable solutions for urban drainage to an audience of housing, planning and environmental experts at a briefing event held at the Scottish Parliament.
The Living Cities Consortium was formed at the end of last year to promote the concept of Blue-Green Infrastructure in urban spaces using expertise from a range of technical disciplines to promote the biodiversity, recreational, social and other benefits that can be achieved by adopting well-designed drainage systems and greenspace.
The event titled ‘Living Drainage Putting the Sustainable back into SuDS’ highlighted the range of options now being adopted throughout the UK and abroad to improve the functionality and sustainability of urban drainage and greenspace infrastructure. Delegates also heard how designs should be moving away from ‘traditional’ hard engineering options and replaced with multi-functional, more sustainable ’blue-green’ designs, recognising the benefits this infrastructure can deliver.
Chic Brodie MSP chaired the event at the Scottish Parliament last week and Dr. Gen Cannibal from Mabbett consultancy provided a general overview, making reference to the blue green strategy he designed for the South Dalmarnock masterplan for Clydegateway.
Mark Johnston from Peter Brett Associates highlighted the public realm and economic uplift that can be gained from urban drainage sustainability projects. Steve Brett from BSG Ecology explained the improvements to the ecology and habitat that such projects bring, while William Hume from Terrenus Land & Water presented the engineering considerations.
Elizabeth Tainsh, who has recently returned to private practice at WJM having previously worked as an in-house solicitor at SEPA, highlighted the legal and planning background of Blue-Green Infrastructure. Elizabeth has considerable experience in advising on contaminated land issues, flooding, planning due diligence, enforcement and appeals. She undertakes various speaker engagements including the Scottish Government’s Annual Flooding Conference in 2015.
Elizabeth is a founding member of The Living Cities Consortium, which will be following up with delegates from this Parliamentary event in order to facilitate future discussions and activities with both the industry and decision makers. Elizabeth can be contacted on t. 0131 524 1500 or emailing eit@wjm.co.uk
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