Planning Solicitor

ENL Legal Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national law firm is looking for a Planning Solicitor with 3+ years PQE to join its Planning team in Leeds. This role involves advising clients on planning applications, supporting compulsory purchase matters, and assisting with various contentious planning issues. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial awareness and excellent client-facing skills. The firm offers a competitive remuneration package and a supportive work environment focused on career development.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Professional development opportunities

Flexible and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• 3+ years PQE as a solicitor in planning, compulsory purchase, or related infrastructure law.
• Exposure to contentious and non-contentious planning matters.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on planning applications and Section 106 agreements.
• Support compulsory purchase matters and negotiations with landowners.
• Assist with contentious matters such as appeals and planning enforcement.
• Contribute to business development and client engagement.
• Work with senior lawyers on expertise in infrastructure.

Skills

3+ years PQE in planning

Strong commercial awareness

Excellent client-facing skills

Proactive approach

Interest in career development

Job description

Planning Solicitor, 3+ Years PQE, Leeds - A leading national law firm is seeking a Solicitor to join its Planning team in Leeds. Contact Melanie Daly at [e-mail] and quote job ref: 2070

This is a hands‑on role offering exposure to a wide range of planning and infrastructure matters, including town and country planning, highways, compulsory purchase, planning litigation, enforcement, and infrastructure projects.

The Role

• Advise developers and housebuilders on planning applications, Section 106 agreements, and strategic residential and mixed‑use developments.
• Support compulsory purchase matters, including compensation and negotiations with landowners.
• Assist with contentious matters such as appeals, call‑ins, and planning enforcement.
• Contribute to business development and client engagement within the Midlands.
• Work alongside senior lawyers to develop expertise in infrastructure and Development Consent Orders (DCOs).

About You

• 3+ years PQE as a solicitor in planning, compulsory purchase, or related infrastructure law.
• Exposure to contentious and non‑contentious planning matters.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent client‑facing skills.
• Proactive approach, with a “can‑do” attitude and commitment to delivering results.
• Interest in building a career within a collaborative, high‑profile team.

Why Apply

• Work on high‑profile strategic schemes and infrastructure projects.
• Develop your career with a supportive, forward‑thinking legal team.
• Enjoy a competitive remuneration package and access to professional development opportunities.
• Be part of a flexible and inclusive work environment that values wellbeing and career progression.
• This is an excellent opportunity for a solicitor looking to broaden their planning and infrastructure expertise in a thriving, national practice.

HOW TO APPLY:

Contact Melanie Daly at eNL on 0113 320 0575 or email [e-mail] with your CV, or simply call for a confidential discussion.

eNL will never share your CV with a third party without your express permission. As part of our candidate care process, we aim to respond to all applications in 7 days. If you have not been contacted within this timescale, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide.

At eNL we value diversity and inclusion. We want to attract people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any characteristics protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.