Principal Lawyer - Planning and Highways

The Recruiter; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruiter is seeking a Senior Solicitor for a local government council in England. The role provides high‑level legal advice in planning, highways, public rights of way, road traffic regulation, compulsory purchase, and environmental law.

You will support the Service Director and Senior Management Team, undertake complex legal work, and manage a team of planning and highways professionals, delivering training and external collaboration as required.

Qualifications

• Experience in Planning, Highways Public Rights of Way, Road Traffic Regulation, Compulsory Purchase, and environmental law.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal advice and assistance to services and Council members, focusing on Planning, Highways, and environmental law.
• Advise on complex and routine planning, environment, highways, and traffic regulation matters, attending internal and external meetings.
• Negotiate and draft complex planning (s106) and highways (s38/278) agreements and orders.
• Identify and advise on new statute, case law, and procedural developments relevant to the post.
• Undertake planning, highways, and rights of way enforcement and advocacy.
• Arrange effective representation for the Council in public enquiries and judicial reviews related to Planning, Highways, Public Rights of Way, CPO, and environmental law.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and manage members of the Planning and Highways team.
• Provide training to members, officers, and outside bodies.
• Support the commissioning of external legal advice and assist the Service Director with tasks and projects.

Skills

Planning & Highways Law

Environmental Law

Public Rights of Way

Job description

This role is with a local government entity providing a range of public services to its community. The organization is focused on meeting the current and future needs of the Council and its constituents.

Role Summary

The Senior Solicitor will provide high-level legal advice and services in Planning, Highways, Public Rights of Way, Road Traffic Regulation, Compulsory Purchase, and environmental law. This role involves supporting the Service Director and Senior Management Team, undertaking complex legal work, and managing a team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal advice and assistance to services and Council members, focusing on Planning, Highways, and environmental law.
• Advise on complex and routine planning, environment, highways, and traffic regulation matters, attending internal and external meetings.
• Negotiate and draft complex planning (s106) and highways (s38/278) agreements and orders.
• Identify and advise on new statute, case law, and procedural developments relevant to the post.
• Undertake planning, highways, and rights of way enforcement and advocacy.
• Arrange effective representation for the Council in public enquiries and judicial reviews related to Planning, Highways, Public Rights of Way, CPO, and environmental law.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and manage members of the Planning and Highways team.
• Provide training to members, officers, and outside bodies.
• Support the commissioning of external legal advice and assist the Service Director with tasks and projects.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in Planning, Highways Public Rights of Way, Road Traffic Regulation, Compulsory Purchase, and environmental law.

Soft Skills & Attributes

• Ability to provide effective and responsive service