Planning Lawyer

Golearnleicestershire; Glenfield; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Golden Hello bonus (10%)

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is seeking an experienced Planning Lawyer to join its Environment & Property legal team. You will provide specialist advice on planning and highways matters, support planning committees, and shape development across the county with senior officers and Members.

The role requires strong knowledge of planning law, experience with section 106 obligations, and excellent negotiation and communication skills. A driving licence and flexible working options are available.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification as an admitted Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEx or equivalent.
• Experience advising on planning and development matters; section 106 obligations and unilateral undertakings.
• Experience advising senior officers/elected Members on planning matters; attend planning committees.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to influence outcomes; proficient with IT case-management tools.
• Up-to-date knowledge of planning law and section 106 obligations; ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal advice on planning issues, including committee work and major developments.
• Advise senior officers and Members on planning, enforcement, appeals and related matters.
• Support high‑level negotiations on planning matters and development proposals.
• Utilise IT tools for case management, research and time recording; communicate clearly with stakeholders.

Skills

Planning law knowledge

Negotiation skills

Legal advising

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Driving licence

Education

Qualified solicitor/barrister/CILEx or equivalent

Tools

Case management systems

Legal research tools

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8RA

Salary: £41,259 - £55,602 per annum + a 10% Golden Hello (Subject to Terms and Conditions) (pro-rata for part-time)

Working Hours:37 Working Hours per Week

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 15th November 2026

Interview Date(s): TBC

Leicestershire County Council has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Planning Lawyer to join its supportive and well‑established Environment & Property legal team.

This role is ideally suited to a lawyer with a strong background in planning and development law who is looking to work on a high‑quality, varied and influential caseload. You will play a key role in advising senior officers and elected Members on complex planning and highway matters that directly shape growth, infrastructure and communities across Leicestershire.

About the Role

To be a planning and highways specialist assisting in the provision of an efficient and effective in house legal service to the County Council and in particular to theCounty Council’splanning, highways and environment, and related functions within the responsibility of the Director of Environment and Transport.

The post holder will provide specialist legal advice on a wide range of planning issues, including planning committee work, major development proposals, section 106 obligations, enforcement and appeals. Highways and infrastructure matters form part of the role where they support planning and development activity.

We welcome applications from candidates with local authority or private practice experience, who are confident advising at Member level, comfortable attending planning committees, and able to provide clear, practical and solution‑focused legal advice.

Why join us?

• A planning‑focused role with meaningful involvement in development and infrastructure projects
• Regular exposure to planning committees and strategic decision‑making
• A supportive and collaborative legal team with strong professional leadership
• Opportunities to mentor and support colleagues, commensurate with experience

The Environment & Property Team comprises a mix of experienced lawyers and support staff and offers a positive working environment where professional development is encouraged.

About You

To apply for this post, you must have:

• Professional qualification as an admitted Solicitor, Barrister entitled to practice, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives or Associate or Graduate Member working towards admission as a Fellow.
• Demonstrable recent experience of advising on planning and development mattersdrafting, negotiating and advising upon section 106 planning obligations and unilateral undertakings. Advising and attending as legal representative at planning committees or equivalent decision‑making bodies.
• Experience of providing legal advice to senior officers and/or elected Members on planning matters and planning enforcement, appeals and/or other contentious planning matters
• Confident and comfortable in the conduct of complex and fast moving negotiations in relation to all aspects of planning matters. Able to use IT applications including a computerised case management and legal research and time recording systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with members, colleagues, customers and internal and external stakeholders and to persuade and influence an appropriate outcome.
• Ability to research and assimilate information rapidly and present effective client focused solutions and appropriate advice and guidance in a timely manner and able to work accurately under pressure with minimum supervision to achieve objectives and deadlines.
• Up-to-date and detailed knowledge of planning law and practice. Detailed knowledge of section 106 planning obligations and the law relating to the development and use of land.

Possession of a current driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:

Katy Jobanputra, Team Leader

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.