Hazel has almost 25 years’ experience in Parliamentary and infrastructure planning work, particularly in the authorisation of railway, tram and harbour schemes. This involves both drafting the relevant legislation to secure statutory powers and advising on all aspects of the consents process, including on consultation, planning aspects and compulsory purchase and compensation. A particular focus of Hazel’s work is advising on Environmental Impact Assessment and Conservation of Habitats and Species issues for major projects. Other aspects of Hazel’s practice include advice to public bodies in relation to Equality Act issues and drafting harbour byelaws.

She regularly negotiates undertakings, agreements and protective provisions to address objector concerns and has also acted for a number of statutory undertakers in opposition to infrastructure schemes which affect their interests and equipment.

Hazel has considerable experience in managing client interests at public inquiries and hearings for contested schemes and advising on the scope and content of the case and required evidence.

Relevant Experience

• High Speed 2 hybrid Bills including advising on consultation, environmental statements, habitats issues and Equality Act implications
• Acting on the promotion of and implementation of the Crossrail Act 2008, including negotiation and interpretation of complex agreements, advice on compulsory acquisition and safeguarding powers
• Promoting and advising on numerous Transport and Works Act Orders for railway and tram operators, and for energy providers, including the Network Rail (Werrington Grade Separation) Order and the Network Rail (Ordsall Chord) Order
• Advising promoters of and objectors to Development Consent Orders for nationally significant infrastructure projects including Lower Thames Crossing, Thurrock Flexible Regeneration Scheme, A1 Birtley to Coalhouse Junction widening and Ipswich Chord
• Securing powers for statutory harbour authorities through Harbour Revision Orders, including for Associated British Ports and Port of London Authority and drafting the Thames Byelaws 2012
• Acting for Canal and River Trust, Environment Agency, National Grid and other statutory undertakers in objecting to and securing arrangements to protect their interests from proposed infrastructure schemes