Planning Lawyer

JR United Kingdom; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a Planning Solicitor with 3+ years PQE to join their national team. The role involves advising clients on planning permissions, drafting agreements, and managing a diverse caseload. Opportunities for business development and a hybrid working model are available, with offices in Reading, London, Southampton, or Cardiff.

Qualifications

• 3+ years post-qualification experience.
• Extensive experience in planning and highways law.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and tactical advice on planning permissions.
• Draft and negotiate statutory agreements.
• Conduct due diligence related to planning aspects.

Skills

Planning and highways law

Drafting complex agreements

Planning-led regeneration projects

Planning judicial reviews

Conducting planning appeals

Technical expertise

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Qualified to practice in England and Wales

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Planning Solicitor Role

We are seeking a Planning Solicitor with 3+ years PQE to join our national team based in London. Our team serves a diverse client base, including residential and mixed-use developers, leading retailers, corporate tenants, contractors, charities, investors, funders, NHS, local authorities, and government bodies.

Your responsibilities will include providing strategic and tactical advice on securing planning permissions, drafting and negotiating statutory agreements, and conducting due diligence related to planning aspects of real estate, funding, and corporate transactions. You will advise on issues such as special protection areas, Assets of Community Value, and Village Greens. Additionally, you will audit planning application documents and committee reports to assist clients with risk management, appeals, judicial reviews, and enforcement. The role also involves highways advice. A good knowledge of EIA, CIL, and GLA planning is essential.

You will have opportunities to develop your own caseload and collaborate closely with senior team members on various development-related matters. The role encourages involvement in business development and marketing activities, and you will be supported to build a network of contacts both internally and externally.

The successful candidate may be based in our Reading, London, Southampton, or Cardiff office, with a hybrid working arrangement of 2-3 days in the office per week.

Skills / Experience Required

Applicants must be qualified to practice in England and Wales with at least 3 years post-qualification experience. Candidates should demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in planning and highways law
• Experience drafting complex Section 106 agreements, highway agreements, land development agreements, and detailed planning due diligence reports
• Experience working on planning-led regeneration projects
• Experience advising on planning judicial reviews
• Experience conducting planning appeals and presenting at planning committees
• Technical expertise and strong analytical skills
• A proven track record of successful practice development
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex matters to clients without legal backgrounds