Senior Planning and Environment Solicitor (Full Time)

Environmentjournal; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career progression opportunities

Generous leave

Pension plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking a Senior Planning and Environment Solicitor to lead the Planning, Highways and Environmental Law team within the Legal Service. You will advise Officers and Councillors on a wide range of planning and environmental issues and represent the Council on boards, project teams and Committees.

You will manage a small team, work with external clients and attend Planning and Executive Committee meetings as required, and you may handle public rights of way, common land

Qualifications

• Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX
• Experience in Planning and Environmental Law
• Strong research and legal analysis skills
• Ability to provide clear legal advice on complex issues
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work in a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience managing specialist professionals

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning, Highways and Environmental Law work.
• Advise Officers and Councillors on a wide range of planning, highway and environmental issues.
• Represent the Council on boards, project teams and Committees as required.
• Involve with rights of way, common land and waste matters; attend Court and Inquiries as needed.

Skills

Planning & Environment Law

Legal Research

Legal Advice

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Education

Solicitor/Barrister/CILEX qualification

Job description

Jobs

Senior Planning and Environment Solicitor

More Information

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 theopportunity 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 [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