Planning and Highways Lawyer

CRA Legal; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible schedule

LGPS

Cycle to work

Travel discounts

Parental leave

Healthcare services

Training & development

Leadership development

Supportive team

Job summary

CRA Consulting is recruiting a Principal Lawyer to lead the Planning and Highways Team in Kirklees. Based in Huddersfield with hybrid working, the role offers £53,000–£59,000 per year and permanent, full-time status.

The successful candidate will provide expert advice to officers and elected members on planning and highways, and broader local government legal matters. The ideal candidate is a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX with current practising certificate and substantial senior-level

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX with current practising certificate.
• Senior-level experience in planning and/or highways law within England and Wales.
• Strong communication and advisory skills.
• Knowledge of local government law is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead lawyer within Planning and Highways Team, advising officers and members.
• Provide specialist legal advice on planning, highways, public law and rights of way.
• Handle Section 106/278 agreements, complex planning matters and inquiries.
• Support sustainability and prudent decision-making for the local authority.
• Develop leadership and management skills within the Legal Services team.

Skills

Planning law experience

Highways law experience

Senior level experience

Communication skills

Advisory skills

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister or CILEX with practising certificate

Job description

Principal Lawyer - Planning & Highways

£53,000 - £59,000 per annum

Permanent | Huddersfield | Hybrid Working

CRA Consulting are working with a local authority in Kirklees, a leading local authority in West Yorkshire, to recruit a Principal Lawyer - Planning & Highways to join their established Legal Services team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Planning or Highways Lawyer looking to take the next step in their career, with the opportunity to develop their management and leadership skills within a supportive local authority environment.

The Role

You will be one of the lead lawyers within the Planning and Highways Team, providing specialist legal advice to officers and elected members across a broad range of matters. Your work will include:

• Section 106 and Section 278 agreements
• Complex and routine planning advice
• Highways law and advice
• Public inquiries
• Planning enforcement
• Public law
• Rights of way
• Environmental matters
• Wider local government legal work

You will play an important role in supporting Kirklees Council's ambition for a sustainable and prosperous local area.

About You

We are looking for a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Lawyer with a current practising certificate and substantial recent senior-level experience in planning law and/or highways law gained in England and Wales. You will ideally have:

• Strong experience in planning and/or highways law
• Experience working at a senior level
• Knowledge of local government law
• Experience or the aptitude to develop expertise in public rights of wayli>
• Excellent communication and advisory skills
• The ability to provide confident advice to officers and elected members
• An interest in developing management and leadership skills

What's on Offer?

• £53,000 - £59,000 per annum
• Permanent position
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 27.5 days annual leave, increasing to 32.5 days after 5 years, plus bank holidays
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Travel and parking discounts
• Enhanced maternity and paternity policies
• Employee Healthcare services
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Opportunity to develop management and leadership skills
• Supportive and collaborative Legal Services team

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Planning or Highways Lawyer to join a well-established local authority legal team and take the next step in their career.