Michelle Spark

Partner

Profile

Michelle is a Partner specialising in Planning, Highways and Compulsory Purchase law.

Areas of Expertise

Michelle specialises in major regeneration and infrastructure projects and she has significant experience in advising on projects requiring advice on CPO/ appropriation for public sector clients, developers, objectors and statutory undertakers.

Michelle has advised on numerous DCOs across the country for energy, highways and infrastructure projects acting for host authorities, statutory undertakers and objectors and most recently has been providing advice on the following projects:

  • A417 Missing Link DCO;
  • A66 Northern TransPennine Project DCO;
  • HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline DCO;
  • HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline DCO; and
  • Frodsham Solar DCO

Michelle has also recently advised on high profile projects including providing CPO advice to a consortium of local authorities on a new Garden Town, a public sector client on forward funding infrastructure to unlock much needed residential housing development and employment uses in South West Rugby, a number of regeneration schemes across a London Borough, a highways CPO to deliver highways improvements in Nottinghamshire and a town centre regeneration scheme in South Yorkshire.

In addition, Michelle has an interest in minerals and waste planning, advising on the law relating to Environmental Impact Assessments, advising generally on planning law and complex s106 Agreements and regularly advises on the law relating to highways and public rights of way.

Accolades

Chambers and Partner Ranked Lawyer

Legal 500 2022 – Next Generation Partner

Recommendations

“Michelle Spark’s past experience of working for a local authority has proved invaluable when representing us in our planning appeal. Her pragmatic and friendly approach, combined with an in depth knowledge of the planning appeal process, has been incredibly helpful during complex negotiations with both the local authority and other landowners” (Legal 500- 2022)

“Michelle goes above and beyond to meet client’s needs. She offers excellent support and practical experience of dealing with issues which greatly assists and gives confidence to the client. She does not shy away from difficult or challenging issues and tackles them head on and does so in a collaborative and personable manner” (Legal 500 -2022)

“Michelle Spark gets to grips very quickly with the detail of complicated schemes and immediately becomes an integral and highly regarded member of the team” (Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2022)

Career

Qualified 2007
Kuits 2024

Education

University of Portsmouth (BA (Hons) Accounting with Business Law)
College of Law – Chester (PgDL and LPC)

Away from the office

Travel
Spanish and Italian Cinema
Genealogy

Contact Michelle to see how she can help you
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