Senior Lawyer - Planning & Highways

Peterborough First group; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to Work

Home & Electronics schemes

Extra annual leave (buy up to 10 days)

Car lease scheme

Volunteer hours

Job summary

Peterborough City Council is seeking a Planning Lawyer to help shape regeneration in Peterborough, including major schemes like Station Quarter. You will advise on planning applications, secure planning obligations, and contribute to highways delivery and strategic growth.

The role involves presenting at Planning Committee meetings, negotiating Section 106 agreements, and supporting complex development proposals within a dynamic public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified professional in planning law with current practising certificate.
• Proven experience in planning applications and development control processes.
• Strong knowledge of planning obligations and highway-related matters.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of planning and highways matters from instruction to completion.
• Draft and negotiate Section 106 agreements and planning obligations.
• Provide expert legal advice at Planning Committee meetings (on a rota basis).
• Advise on complex development proposals, including major regeneration programmes.
• Deal with planning appeals, enforcement issues, and judicial review matters.
• Support work on highways agreements, adoption processes, and transport-related projects.
• Work collaboratively with planners, developers and external partners to progress key schemes.
• Underpin the Council's growth ambitions through sound, strategic legal advice.

Skills

Planning law

Section 106

Highways law

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Urban development

Commercial awareness

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of CILEx with practising certificate

Job description

Do you want to use your legal expertise to shape large‑scale regeneration projects and influence Peterborough's growth?

This is a pivotal moment to join us as a Planning Lawyer. With large‑scale regeneration underway - including the landmark Station Quarter project - you'll contribute to developments that will influence the city's future for decades:

• Station Quarter Regeneration – Support one of the East of England's most significant regeneration schemes
• Strategic Development Work – Advise on major planning applications and agreements driving sustainable growth
• Section 106 Expertise – Draft and negotiate obligations that fund vital community infrastructure
• Planning Committee Involvement – Present to elected members and contribute to key planning decisions
• Infrastructure Delivery – Help shape highway and transport projects that strengthen connectivity and support economic prosperity

What You'll Be Doing

Managing a varied caseload of planning and highways matters from initial instruction to completion

• Drafting and negotiating Section 106 agreements and planning obligations
• Providing expert legal advice at Planning Committee meetings (on a rota basis)
• Advising on complex development proposals, including major regeneration programmes
• Dealing with planning appeals, enforcement issues, and judicial review matters
• Supporting work on highways agreements, adoption processes, and transport‑related projects
• Working collaboratively with planners, developers, and external partners to progress key schemes
• Underpinning the Council's growth ambitions through sound, strategic legal advice

What We're Looking For

• A qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEx with a current practising certificate
• Solid experience in planning law and the development process
• Strong understanding of Section 106 agreements and planning obligations
• Knowledge of highways law and infrastructure delivery
• Confident communicator with the ability to advise committees and engage stakeholders
• Skilled in handling complex negotiations involving multiple parties
• Interest in urban development, placemaking, and regeneration
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the development sector

Our Benefits

We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and local government pension scheme…

• Access to a range of benefits via our Employee Benefits Platform, including in-store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes
• Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro-rata)
• Access to car lease scheme
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
• Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
• Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network
• Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards

All about our Commitments

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are disabled and require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] we will work with you to meet your needs.