Staff Profile

Roles and Responsibilities 

Anna is a Lecturer at Newcastle Law School. 

Qualifications

PhD in Law, Newcastle University (Thesis title: Planning for Floods: An Analysis of Planning Law and Planning Practice in Flood Risk Management')

LLM in Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Development, Newcastle University

LLB (Hons), Newcastle University

Associate Fellowship in Higher Education of the Higher Education Academy

Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training

Previous Positions 

Research Associate on 'Net Zero Geothermal Research for District Heating Infrastructure Engineering' project, Newcastle University (April 2021 - September)

Research Assistant on 'Restorative Environmental Justice: A Study of the use of Enforcement Undertakings', Newcastle University (December 2020 - January 2021)

Research Assistant on ReFINE funded project researching the potential environmental and social impacts of shale gas exploitation (May 2016 - December 2016)

Solicitor, Samuel Phillips Law Firm (2006 - 2011)

Solicitor, Swinburne Maddison (2001 - 2006)

Current Work

Anna is a member of Geothermal UK, a non-profit industry coalition with the objective of championing geothermal as part of the UK's sustainable energy mix. Anna is co-chair of the Regulation working group of Geothermal UK, which aims to identify the extent to which existing law and regulation facilitates and encourages investment and delivery of geothermal, as well as the legal and regulatory developments required to remove any obstacles.

Anna is also a member of the International Energy Agency geothermal mine water expert group, which has the objective of promoting international collaboration and networking between nations, industry and industry organisations. Anna is involved in the research relating to the legal framework and context of the use of mine water heat. 

Main Expertise

English planning law as a means of environmental management.

The legal and regulatory context of emerging renewable/low carbon energy sources and techniques. 

Other Expertise

Environmental law

Land law

Undergraduate Teaching Modules

Land Law

Environmental Law

Law and Land Use

Equity

Postgraduate Teaching Modules

Introduction to Planning Law

• Articles

  • McClean A. Planning for floods: the role of local planning authorities in flood risk management in England. Planning Practice and Research 2025, 40(4), 717-732.
  • McClean A, Pedersen OW. The role of regulation in geothermal energy in the UK. Energy Policy 2023, 173, 113378.
  • McClean A, Pedersen O. Who Owns the Heat? The Scope for Geothermal Heat to Contribute to Net Zero. Journal Of Environmental Law 2021, eqab038.

• Notes

  • Crowe MR, Suttle R, Richardson A, McClean A. Update. Environmental Law Review 2019, 21(2), 140-165.
  • Crowe MR, Suttle R, Richardson A, Stephens J, McClean A. Update. Environmental Law Review 2019, 21(1), 49-75.
  • Crowe MR, Suttle R, Richardson A, McClean A. Update. Environmental Law Review 2019, 21(3), 235-259.
  • Percy-Raine H, Cottrell J, Mellor S, McClean A. Update. Environmental Law Review 2019, 21(4), 321-339.

• Online Publication

  • McClean A, Pedersen O. Who owns Britain's underground heat? Answering this could help slash energy bills and carbon emissions. The Conversation: The Conversation, 2022. Available at: https://theconversation.com/who-owns-britains-underground-heat-answering-this-could-help-slash-energy-bills-and-carbon-emissions-176847.