Senior Planning and Environment Solicitor

Environment Journal; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working option

Flexible hours

Pension scheme

Generous leave

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking a Senior Planning and Environment Solicitor to lead a small team within the Legal Service. You will advise Officers and Councillors on planning, highways, and environmental issues, and represent the Council on boards, projects and committees.

The role requires strong legal analysis and clear communication. Hybrid working is available with flexible hours and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Post holder must hold a qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX.
• Experience in planning, highways and environmental law is preferred.
• Ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage specialist professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning, Highways and Environmental Law team.
• Advise Officers and Councillors on planning and environmental issues.
• Attend Planning and other Council Committees, as required.
• Represent the Assistant Chief Executive, Assistant Director or Head of Legal on boards and project teams.
• Attend Court and Inquiries as part of the role.

Skills

Planning & Environmental Law

Legal research

Legal advice

Team leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/CILEX

Job description

Salary
£51,356 - £55, 539 pro rata, per annum
Expires
14/09/2026
Company
North Yorkshire Council
Location
Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Job Type
Full Time
Are you ready for the next stage of your career?
We are currently looking to recruit an ambitious and forward-thinking individual to work as a Senior Planning and Environment Solicitor within our successful legal service here at North Yorkshire Council.
If you have the relevant skills, drive and ambition to succeed, we want to hear from you!

About The Team…

The Legal Service is part of Legal and Democratic Services (‘LDS’) within the Chief Executive’s Group. North Yorkshire Council provides a range of services to North Yorkshire, and the role of the Legal Service is to support that provision by providing a comprehensive and efficient legal service to the Directorates, the Council’s Executive, full Council, Committees and Members, and external clients. The nature of the work requires a flexible and versatile approach as it will change from time to time in response to the changing needs of the Council, and its developing initiatives. The postholder is required to work with colleagues and Members at every level within the organisation and with external clients and partners.
When taking up the post the postholder must hold a qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX.

The role

The main focus of the role is planning, highways and a range of environmental law. You will lead and manage a small team within the wider Property Planning and Environment team, support and represent the Assistant Chief Executive, Assistant Director or Head of Legal on boards, project teams and at Committee; advise Officers and Councillors on a wide range of planning, highway and environmental issues and will attend at Planning, Executive and other Council Committees as required.
You will also get involved with work relating to public rights of way and common land and village greens and waste as well as attending at Court and Inquiries as part of your role.

You will

• Be part of a friendly and supportive team of professionals
• Have the opportunity work on high profile cases and to learn and develop in other disciplines within our service
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in orally and in writing to suit a range of audiences
• Have responsibility for your own caseload and be able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Have experience of managing specialist professionals

What You Can Bring

• Experience in Planning and Environmental Law
• Strong research and legal analysis skills
• The ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Have experience of managing specialist professionals

We welcome applications from anyone qualified and looking for a new and interesting challenge.

What We Offer You

• A supportive, professional team environment where you’ll grow your career.
• We offer hybrid working with the option to work from home and flexible hours, helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• We’re committed to your growth, offering continuous learning, career progression opportunities, and financial support for additional qualifications.
• We recognise the importance of family time and well-being, offering generous leave and additional benefits like paid volunteering leave.
• Enjoy the security of a robust pension plan designed for your future.
• Take advantage of our employee benefits scheme which includes discounts on shopping, home tech, green car schemes, and more!

You will also have access to a range of benefits such as a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working, excellent pension scheme, salary sacrifice car, cycle, technology and childcare schemes and a package of ‘Everybody Benefits’ shopping vouchers, discounts and more.
Please see our total rewards brochure for more information.

Contact

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Catriona Gatrell, Head of Legal Property Planning and Environment [e-mail]
Company: North Yorkshire Council
Salary: £51,356 - £55, 539 pro rata, per annum
Location: Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Sector: Corporate Services
Sector: Corporate Management Team
Sector: Environmental Health
Job Role: Solicitor