Lawyer (Planning and Regulatory)

Preston City Council; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Preston is seeking an experienced Lawyer (Planning and Regulatory) to join their Legal Services Department. The successful candidate will have a recognised legal qualification and experience dealing with planning matters. Responsibilities include providing legal advice, drafting agreements, and attending Planning Committee meetings. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits including hybrid working and generous leave. Interested candidates should contact Susie Hedges for more information.

Benefits

Flexi time

Minimum of 30 days annual leave

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounted parking

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in a local government context is desirable.
• Ability to provide legal advice to various audiences.
• Solid understanding of how local authorities operate.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on planning matters.
• Draft section 106 Agreements.
• Attend Planning Committee as Legal Advisor.
• Advise on Planning Appeals.
• Conduct research on planning issues.

Skills

Legal qualification

Strong communication skills

Team player

Proactive problem-solving

Drafting skills

Education

Legal qualification (Solicitor, Barrister, or ILEX)

Job description

Section

Legal

Location

Town Hall

Salary

£45,091 to £48,226

per annum

Post Type

Full Time

Contract Type

Permanent

Closing Date

23.59 hours GMT on Thursday 11 December 2025

Reference

RELE01007-3

Resources Directorate. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Lawyer (Planning and Regulatory) to join our busy Legal Services Department, which is LEXCEL accredited.

You will need a recognised legal qualification (e.g. a fully Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or ILEX qualified Legal Executive or someone who can demonstrate a level of experience and skill fitting them for the post) and be highly competent at dealing with a wide and varied range of planning matters. You will deal with a mixed caseload and must be proactive, and solution focussed driven to achieve successful outcomes for the Council.

Your duties will involve :

• Working closely with the Assistant Director and other colleagues in Planning and Planning Enforcement to provide advice, assistance and advocacy where appropriate
• Preparation and drafting of section 106 Agreements
• Attending Planning Committee as the Council’s Legal Advisor
• Considering the Council’s position and advising on Planning Appeals
• Research on planning issues and providing clear and understandable advice on ad hoc planning and regulatory matters
• Assisting with policy and procedures and training in relation to planning matters

Candidates with private sector experience must have a solid understanding of how local authorities operate and demonstrate their ability to transfer knowledge and skills to successfully deliver a service within a local government context.

You will be a strong team player, able to play an effective influencing role in project teams, with enthusiasm for delivering projects. The successful candidate will have excellent communication, drafting skills and the ability to provide legal advice to a variety of audiences including senior officers

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares, a cycle to work scheme and access to a healthcare insurance scheme.

If you would like to find out more about this post please contact Susie Hedges on 01772 906515

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

We are a and Living Wage employer