Planning Associate/Senior Associate

yolk recruitment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Yolk Recruitment is partnering with a highly regarded Bristol law firm to recruit a Planning Solicitor/Lawyer. The role offers hybrid working, responsibility on a range of planning, infrastructure and development matters, and the chance to work on high-profile projects.

You'll advise across DCOs, planning applications and agreements, develop client relationships, and progress toward seniority within a supportive, growth‑minded team.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years' PQE with solid planning experience, including DCOs and Town and Country Planning Act matters.
• Experience in energy, transport, utilities or regeneration is desirable.
• Commercially minded with strong client and stakeholder skills.

Responsibilities

• DCOs and major infrastructure consenting regimes.
• Planning applications, appeals, strategy and development delivery.
• Section 106, highways and other planning agreements.
• Planning advice on real estate, corporate, energy and infrastructure transactions.
• Complex projects across sectors including energy, transport, utilities, regeneration and infrastructure.

Skills

Planning law

DCOs experience

Client-facing

Job description

Opportunity: Planning Solicitor/Lawyer

Location: Bristol (Hybrid & Flexible Working)

Salary: Up to £80,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits!

If you're a planning lawyer looking for a move that offers high-quality work, actual responsibility and room to build your career, this could be one to explore.

A highly regarded and ambitious UK law firm is growing its Planning team in Bristol and is looking for a solicitor/lawyer around the 3-6 PQE mark to join them (those with focused experience in Planning but less PQE are welcome to apply!)

The team is nationally recognised and works on a varied mix of planning, infrastructure and development matters for developers, infrastructure providers, landowners and investors. You'll have the opportunity to work on high-profile projects, including major infrastructure schemes and DCOs, alongside more traditional Town and Country Planning Act work.

The Opportunity:

You'll advise across a broad range of matters, including:

• DCOs and other major infrastructure consenting regimes;
• Planning applications, appeals, strategy and development delivery;
• Section 106, highways and other planning agreements;
• Planning advice on real estate, corporate, energy and infrastructure transactions;
• Complex projects across sectors including energy, transport, utilities, regeneration and infrastructure.

There's also substantial scope to develop your own client relationships and profile, get involved in business development and work closely with colleagues across the wider firm.

Why This Role?

This is a firm with a clear growth strategy, meaning there's chance to really make your mark rather than simply inherit an established caseload.

The culture is collaborative, entrepreneurial and refreshingly human. You'll work alongside experienced lawyers on interesting matters, have access to strong professional development and be encouraged to take ownership of your career and progression.

You will also have the opportunity to support junior lawyers and trainees, contribute to the growth of the practice and develop your own expertise across planning and infrastructure.

What Are They Looking For?

• around 3-6 years' PQE and solid experience in planning, particularly across DCOs/major infrastructure consenting and Town and Country Planning Act matters.
• Experience in energy, transport, utilities, regeneration or wider infrastructure would be attractive.
• Environmental experience is a bonus but not essential.
• More importantly, you'll be commercially minded, confident with clients and stakeholders and someone who wants to be part of a collaborative team and play a role in its continued growth.

Yolk Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our workforce. We employ the best people for the job at hand and actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, educational background, parental status, gender identity or any other protected characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity at Yolk allowing our team to bring their whole selves to work.

Please note, whilst we do our best to contact all candidates, due to the high number of applications we receive we cannot guarantee this for every role. If you have not heard anything from us within 7 days of applying - then unfortunately you have been unsuccessful. Please keep an eye on our website for more opportunities