Planning and Environment Lawyer (Senior Legal Adviser)

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local authority in Winchester seeks a Planning and Environment Lawyer to provide legal advice and manage casework related to planning law. The successful candidate should be a qualified lawyer with strong legal skills and experience in managing complex projects. This role offers a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and additional benefits including annual leave and family-friendly policies.

Benefits

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

25 - 28 days annual leave

Electric hybrid car scheme

Interest-free travel loans

Employee Support Services

Family friendly policies

Access to legal research resources

Qualifications

• Proven success in public law projects.
• Experience in planning law and related legal frameworks.
• Ability to mentor and assist colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation to the County Council’s directorates.
• Manage complex casework, including planning agreements.
• Conduct legal research and represent cases in public inquiries.

Skills

Legal skills and judgment

Communication skills

Client relationship management

Ability to work in a team

Resilience and motivation

Time management

Education

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive

Current practising certificate for England & Wales

Job description

Job Details :

Job Reference : HCC622673

Salary Range: £48,948 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £4,500 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications)

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 27 November 2025

Interview Date : 8 and 9 December 2025

Please note applications will be reviewed once submitted, therefore this advert may close early depending on volumes of applications received

The Role :

Join our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited legal department, passionate about delivering the best for Hampshire and making a real difference to the community!

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. Our large legal service supports all Hampshire County Council directorates and a wide range of other public service organisations. Working on matters that are as challenging as they are rewarding, you will advise on a range of interesting, varied, meaningful, high profile and complex projects at the very forefront of public interest, delivering improvements to people's lives.

What you’ll do :

You will join the Planning and Environment Team, working with colleagues in all Hampshire County Council directorates and third-party clients.

This role includes the provision of legal advice and representation to the County Council’s directorates, committees, members and other external partners and client bodies. Your role will not only increase the efficiency of the team but also that of the County Council as a whole and offers the unique level of support that comes with working within our well-respected team and Hampshire County Council generally.

You will take responsibility for a large and varied casework, some of which may be complex planning work such as s.106, s.278 and s.38 agreements, legal research, public inquiries and offering assistance and mentoring to colleagues.

What we’re looking for :

We are looking for an in‑house Planning and Environment Lawyer who must be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer (Fellow of CILEX) with a current practising certificate for England & Wales. You will be successful in the role if you are able to demonstrate sound legal skills and judgment; a pragmatic solution focused approach; strong client relationship and communication skills; an ability to work on your own initiative and within a strong team with a collaborative approach; resilience and motivation; and an ability to prioritise effectively to meet strict deadlines.

Why join us?

Having successfully adopted online and hybrid working, we can consider candidates from out of the area, working partially remotely and from our offices in Winchester.

As a forward‑looking local authority, our commitment to delivering an exceptional quality of life to our Hampshire residents also extends to our employees. It is important to us that our staff feel supported in their work. As such we can offer you an improved work‑life balance through flexible working and an excellent including :

• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
• Between 25 - 28 days annual leave entitlement (dependent on Local Authority service)
• Electric plug‑in hybrid car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Interest free travel loans and discounts
• Employee Support Services
• Family friendly policies
• Access to online professional legal research resources

To learn more about the HLS team, please visit .

Additional Information :

Planning and Environment Lawyer (Senior Legal Adviser)

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion :

Caroline Stickland, Legal Team Leader on or 0370 779 4147, or Sheena Sayer, Legal Team Leader on or 0370 779 4916

No agencies please.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.