About Niels Vansimpsen
About Niels Vansimpsen
Niels Vansimpsen is an experienced lawyer specialising in environmental and licensing law, with a proven track record at the Council for Permit Disputes and the Council of State. He assists clients with a variety of cases, from residential extensions and conversions to demolition and reconstruction projects and large-scale building plans. Functional changes and complex proceedings against various authorities also fall within his expertise.
With his thorough knowledge of environmental law and strategic understanding of procedures, Niels consistently manages to achieve results in files where the interests of both clients and third parties are closely intertwined. His approach combines technical precision with a practical approach, allowing him to act effectively in both smaller, residential projects and larger, more complex construction and licensing cases.
Thanks to this broad experience and his success in diverse files, Niels Vansimpsen is regarded by clients and partners as reliable and expert counsel in Flemish environmental law.
Why clients choose Niels
In-depth expertise: From function changes to nitrogen problems and enforcement issues.
Strategic litigation: Niels litigates purposefully before the Council for Permit Disputes, the Council of State, the Permanent Deputation and various municipal authorities.
Pragmatic approach: Niels combines legal technical precision with a practical view of your building plans.
Whether it is a residential extension or a complex commercial project, Niels ensures that your interests in environmental law are defended to the maximum extent possible.
Expertise
Environmental Permits & Procedures:
Guidance on applications and appeals against refused environmental permits.
Litigating at the Council for Licensing Disputes and the Deputation.
Advice on complex function changes and destination issues.
Construction Law & Zoning:
Legal support for demolition and reconstruction projects.
Advice on subdivision and large-scale building plans.
Resolving discussions regarding the zoning plan and regulations.
Enforcement & Sanctioning:
Assistance with official reports for construction violations.
Guidance from regularisation applications.
Defending interests of both clients and third parties (objectors).
Methodology & Experience
Niels Vansimpsen combines an academically thorough knowledge of the planning codex (VCRO) with a pragmatic process approach. His background enables him to effectively anticipate the arguments of licensing authorities. He acts for a diverse clientele, ranging from private individuals with residential extensions to property developers with complex real estate cases.
Before expanding his current practice as a partner, Niels Vansimpsen gained valuable experience within renowned law firms. His career is characterised by an evolution from large-scale public procurement to highly specialised environmental law.
Large-scale Project Development & Public Procurement
At international firm PwC Legal (Public Real Estate), Niels laid the foundation for his expertise in complex real estate transactions and government contracts.
- Complex Real Estate: He advised on the development of large-scale projects, including a 25,000 sq m retail centre, where complex issues of roadis (public vs private) and soil contamination were central.
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Niels guided federal governments in realising real estate portfolios through Design - Build - Finance (DBF) agreements and negotiation procedures.
- Procurement law: He wrote administrative specifications and advised Flemish agencies on award decisions within the classic sectors.
In-depth Specialisation in Spatial Planning
Niels then deepened his technical knowledge as an associate lawyer at the niche firm Goemans - Van Rooy, where the focus was exclusively on urban planning and litigation.
- Zoning Dossiers: He supervised the construction and operation of a residential care centre (70+ units) in zoned areas, as well as regularisations in sensitive areas such as residential parks.
- Real Estate Heritage: Niels built up specific expertise in supervising conversions to listed monuments and properties on the architectural heritage inventory.
- Allotment issues: He dealt with complex legal issues concerning the lapse of (historical) subdivision permits and the interpretation of road construction.
This combination of commercial acumen and technical depth means Niels approaches files today with a helicopter view: he oversees both the legal details and the economic stakes of the project.