Helen is a Director in our Planning & Environment team, bringing over 15 years of experience advising on complex planning and infrastructure matters. She has a strong track record supporting both public and private sector clients, with particular expertise in major infrastructure projects across the transport, energy, and renewables sectors.

Helen’s work spans the full lifecycle of development, from early-stage strategy and consenting through to delivery. She is known for her deep understanding of development consent orders, compulsory purchase, and planning obligations, and has advised on nationally significant infrastructure projects including major rail and highway schemes. Her clients have included promoters, local authorities, land owners and developers, who value her strategic insight, calm approach, and ability to navigate complex legal frameworks with clarity and precision.

Experience:

• An electricity transmission system operator – Advised on all stages of an application for a development consent order for the upgrade and reinforcement of the high voltage power network in North Yorkshire.
• Chemical manufaturers – advised on the impacts of the Net Zero Teesside DCO and negotiated protective provisions and a commerial side agreement to ensure the protection of important operational assets and infrastructure impacted by the project.
• Strategic land owner – provided plannign stategy advice on a site with outline permission for over 1000 homes in addition to multi-us strategic land which was affected by a development consent order application and safeguarding direction.
• Local authorities in relation to the impact of the impact of Network Rail’s. proposed Transport and Works Act Orders for the Transpenning Route Upgrade.
• The redevelopment of Greenwich Riverside and Woolwich Leisure Centre, including strategic planning, CPO readiness, and drafting of a state aid-compliant Development Agreement.
• An electricity transmission system operator – provided land assembly advice in respect of a CPO for undergrounding of cable to expand transmission capacity.

Memberships / professional associations:

• Compulsory Purchase Association
• National Infrastructure Planning Association