Planning Senior Associate

Douglas Scott Global Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas Scott Global Recruitment is seeking an experienced Planning Solicitor or Senior Associate in London to handle major residential, commercial and mixed-use development matters.

You will work with leading partners on complex planning, environmental issues and high-profile transactions, with direct client exposure and leadership responsibility in a well-established team.

Qualifications

• Approximately 4-10 years' PQE in planning law; not a strict requirement.
• Strong planning experience gained in private practice or public sector setting.
• Experience advising on development-led planning matters and complex planning issues.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and client relationship skills.
• Contentious planning, environmental or infrastructure experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Advise on major residential, commercial and mixed-use development projects.
• Negotiate Section 106, highways and infrastructure agreements.
• Support regeneration schemes and complex development matters.
• Handle planning applications, appeals, inquiries and enforcement issues.
• Advise on compulsory purchase, planning litigation and judicial reviews.
• Provide planning due diligence for high-value real estate transactions.
• Assist clients with environmental obligations, policy matters and development constraints.

Skills

Planning law

Negotiation

Drafting

Client relationships

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

If you're a planning lawyer looking to step into a role with greater responsibility, direct client exposure and access to some of the most significant development projects in the market, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

A highly regarded London planning practice is seeking an experienced Planning Solicitor or Senior Associate to join an established team advising on major residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Working closely with recognised leaders in the field, you'll be involved in complex planning and environmental matters that sit at the heart of real estate development, regeneration and investment projects.

This role offers genuine breadth. You'll advise a diverse client base that includes developers, investors, landowners, public sector organisations and private clients, with exposure to both transactional and contentious planning work. Whether you're negotiating key development agreements, shaping planning strategy or advising on sensitive planning disputes, you'll be trusted to play a visible role in client relationships and matter management.

For lawyers who enjoy combining technical excellence with commercial thinking, this position provides the platform to further develop your profile within a well-established and ambitious team.

What you'll do

• Advise on major residential, commercial and mixed-use development projects.
• Negotiate Section 106, highways and infrastructure agreements.
• Support regeneration schemes and complex development matters.
• Handle planning applications, appeals, inquiries and enforcement issues.
• Advise on compulsory purchase, planning litigation and judicial reviews.
• Provide planning due diligence for high-value real estate transactions.
• Assist clients with environmental obligations, policy matters and development constraints.

What you'll need

• Approximately 4-10 years' PQE in planning law, although technical capability is more important than a strict PQE requirement.
• Strong planning experience gained in private practice or a relevant public sector setting.
• Experience advising on development-led planning matters and complex planning issues.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and client relationship skills.
• Contentious planning, environmental or infrastructure experience would be advantageous.

About the company

This opportunity sits within a nationally recognised planning team known for advising on sophisticated development, regeneration and investment matters. The practice has an established reputation in the London market and offers access to high-profile work, strong client relationships and a collaborative, expert-led environment.