Clarke Willmott bolsters North West Planning team
National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has added to its planning team with a new partner specialising in energy and infrastructure.
Michelle Spark joins the firm’s Manchester planning and environmental team. Michelle has extensive experience in all aspects of planning, highways and compulsory purchase law and has held senior positions in both the private and public sectors.
Having worked on all types of developments including large complex mixed-use schemes, housing developments, retail, renewable energy, minerals and waste (including nuclear waste) and large infrastructure projects, Michelle provides strategic and pragmatic advice to get major projects delivered.
Michelle has a particular specialism in working on nationally significant infrastructure projects and is currently advising on a number of development consent orders across the North West for the delivery of much needed infrastructure and energy. These include the A66 Northern TransPennine Project, the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline DCO and the HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline DCO.
Also joining Michelle in the Manchester planning team is new associate Louise Clifton, who along with existing planning solicitor Anisha Bakhat, will be covering planning matters across the North.
Ed Foulkes, Clarke Willmott partner and head of the Manchester office, said: “Michelle’s addition to the Clarke Willmott team is an exciting one. Her unmatched knowledge in the areas of highway, planning, compulsory purchase law and renewable energy will be invaluable in providing tailored solutions to our clients.
Michelle’s appointment, as well as Louise’s, reflects our ongoing commitment to recruiting top-tier talent to enhance our services. Their appointments add to our planning offering in the North West and further augment the existing planning team.”
Michelle Spark said: “I’m delighted to be joining Clarke Willmott and bringing some new elements to the already highly-regarded team. Although based in the Manchester office I will be working across the North West and beyond on a range of infrastructure and energy projects.”
The planning and environmental team is ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK legal directories with several lawyers having served in local government legal departments advising all tiers of local government.
The team will be hosting their Planning Law Series 2025 in March with more information to follow.
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