Planning and Environment Lawyer/Solicitor

North Yorkshire Council; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council in North Yorkshire seeks a planning and environment lawyer to provide legal advice on development control, planning policy, and related legal matters. This role offers opportunities for professional development while contributing to significant cases in a supportive team environment. Applicants should possess relevant qualifications and be ready to engage in various legal challenges within local government.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Excellent pension scheme

Salary sacrifice schemes for cars, cycles, technology, childcare

Shopping vouchers

Qualifications

• Hold a qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX.
• Relevant skills and experience in planning and environment law preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise Officers and Councillors on development control and planning policy.
• Attend Court and Inquiries related to planning issues.
• Support and train in areas with less experience.

Skills

Communication

Planning Law Expertise

Environmental Law Knowledge

Education

Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX

Job description

This role can be based in Harrogate or Northallerton. Other Council Office locations can be considered depending on experience, with hybrid working opportunities available.

We are currently looking to recruit an ambitious and forward-thinking individual to work as a planning and environment lawyer within our successful legal service here at North Yorkshire Council.

If you have the relevant skills, drive and ambition to succeed, we want to hear from you!

About the team…

The Legal Service is part of Legal and Democratic Services (‘LDS’) within the Chief Executive’s Group. North Yorkshire Council provides a range of services to North Yorkshire, and the role of the Legal Service is to support that provision by providing a comprehensive and efficient legal service to the Directorates, the Council’s Executive, full Council, Committees and Members, and external clients. The nature of the work requires a flexible and versatile approach as it will change from time to time in response to the changing needs of the Council, and its developing initiatives. The postholder is required to work with colleagues and Members at every level within the organisation and with external clients and partners.

The postholder must hold a qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX.

The role

The main focus of the role is planning and environment law. You will advise Officers and Councillors on development control, planning policy, enforcement issues, S106 work, and will attend Council Committees. You will also be involved with highways, public rights of way, common land, and village greens, as well as attending Court and Inquiries. Support and training will be provided in areas where the candidate has less experience.

You will

• Be part of a friendly and supportive team of professionals
• Have the opportunity to work on high-profile cases and develop skills in other disciplines within our service
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to a range of audiences

We welcome applications from qualified individuals seeking a new challenge, whether from private practice or local authority backgrounds.

What we can offer

You will have access to benefits such as generous annual leave, flexible working, an excellent pension scheme, salary sacrifice schemes for cars, cycles, technology, childcare, and shopping vouchers, among others. Please see our total rewards brochure for more information.

Contact and Apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Catriona Gatrell, Head of Legal Property Planning and Environment at [e-mail].

To apply, click on 'apply now', register your details, complete the application form, or upload your CV with personal details removed by midnight on Sunday 29th June 2025.

Key Documents

Job Description

To apply, click the Apply Now link below.