Principal Lawyer – Planning and Highways (Full Time)

New Start; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27.5 days annual leave increasing to 5

Cycle to work scheme

Travel and parking discounts

Maternity and paternity leave policies

Local Government Pension benefits

Employee Healthcare

Hybrid and flexible working

Job summary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council seeks a Principal Lawyer to lead our Planning and Highways team in Huddersfield. You will advise officers and elected members on complex planning, highways, and public-law matters, including s106/278 agreements and enforcement.

This is a senior role within a large legal service. We invite applicants who are qualified Solicitors, Barristers or Fellows of the ILEX with substantial experience in planning or highways law in England and Wales.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with current practising certificate or ILEX Fellow.
• Significant recent senior-level experience in planning law and/or highways law in England & Wales.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to officers and elected members on planning/highways matters.
• Handle s106 and 278 agreements, planning enforcement and public-law issues.

Skills

Planning law

Highways law

Public sector law

Senior-level experience

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Barrister

ILEX Fellow

Job description

Jobs

Principal Lawyer – Planning and Highways

More Information

Salary

£53,051 to £58,358 + £3000 Market Rate Supplement

Expires

01/11/2026

Location

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Job Type

Full Time

Do you want to make a difference to local people?

As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated Legal Service teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees.

The team

The Planning and Highways team handle a wide range of planning, highways, rights of way and environmental matters supporting our ambition for a sustainable and prosperous Kirklees.

The role

You will be one of the lead lawyers in the team providing advice to officers and elected members. Examples of matters you will deal with include s106 and 278 agreements, complex and routine planning and highways advice, public enquiries, advice on planning enforcement and public law.

Development

If you are ambitious to develop your knowledge in this specialist area and develop your management and leadership skills this is the job for you.

Your skills and experience

You will be a qualified Solicitor holding a current practising certificate, Barrister or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. You will have substantial recent experience at a senior level of planning law and practice and/or highways law obtained in England and Wales, and experience or the aptitude to develop skills in public rights of way and local government law.

Your benefits

Kirklees Council offers these benefits to all its employees:

• 27.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel and parking discounts
• Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies
• Exceptional Local Government Pension benefits
• Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments.
• Hybrid and flexible working

Learn more about Kirklees Council Staff Benefits

Closing date

01 November 2026, 11:55 PM

Company: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Salary: £53,051 to £58,358 + £3000 Market Rate Supplement

Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Legal

Sector: Highways

Job Role: Solicitor

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