Senior Lawyer (Planning)

Torbay Council; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Devon is seeking a Senior Planning Lawyer to support its property caseload. This role involves providing legal advice on planning matters, ensuring effective engagement with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have 3+ years of PQE and a solid understanding of planning law. The position offers a hybrid working model, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Career Average Re-Valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme

Flexible working hours

Family friendly policies

Lifestyle discounts and health benefits

Qualifications

• At least 3 years PQE in a relevant legal field.
• Experience of working within a legal environment.
• High level of knowledge of planning law and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support key agendas pertinent to planning and property caseload.
• Provide legal advice and representation in planning matters.
• Attend essential meetings and court appearances.

Skills

Ability to give clear and accurate legal advice

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships

Education

Suitable training as a legal advisor and advocate

Job description

Job Description & Person Specification

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £8,000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

No two days in Torbay are ever the same. Torbay is breath-taking, captivating, and welcoming, occupying a prime position on the south coast of Devon. Currently experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and the council’s own ambitious transformation programme have given Torbay the opportunity to capitalise on the area’s profile and many assets.

As a small unitary authority, you’ll discover Torbay is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition — which is clearly evident by our recent success in being awarded the “Most Improved Council” at this year’s LGC Awards. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people.

To complement this journey, we are now seeking a Senior Planning Lawyer to join our Legal Services Team to support our property caseload. This varied role provides a platform to be actively involved, supporting key agendas pertinent to the investment and prosperity of Torbay, its residents, businesses and wider communities. No two days will be the same, for which those already working within local government will attest to and actively thrive upon.

Undertaking the role of a Senior Lawyer, you will be a suitably qualified professional across either the public or private sector, with at least 3yrs PQE; excited by a fast-paced and varied planning caseload, conscientious, professionally curious and a role model to other team members. In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, whereby your talent will be valued and actively developed. At Torbay Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from our people, and we are excited for you to join us.

We also understand the importance of an effective work-life balance, therefore offer an enviable hybrid working approach. This is managed effectively around the need to attend essential meetings and/or make court appearances in line with the remit of the role.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that is in a great period of change and sees legal services as not simply a support function, but an enabler in the pursuit of their ambitious transformation journey.

In return we offer:

• A generous salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• A Career Average Re-Valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions.
• A great working environment with flexible hours.
• Family friendly policies.
• A wide range of lifestyle discounts and health and wellbeing benefits.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• A supportive management and team structure.
• Salary includes a market supplement of £8,000 p/a.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: s https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/senior-lawyer-planning-1/

For an informal chat please contact Ian Goldsmith on 01803207157 or [e-mail]. Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 20th October 2025. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

Essential:

• Ability to give clear and accurate legal advice.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.

As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Knowledge

Essential:

• A high level of knowledge of planning law and procedure.
• A high level of knowledge of the law and procedure within planning.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Suitable training as a legal advisor and advocate.
• Experience of working within a legal environment.

About Torbay Council

Please review the available pages within the careers site. A list of employer benefits can be found here.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.