Senior Planning Lawyer

Waverley Borough Council; Guildford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is seeking a Senior Planning Lawyer to join the Shared Legal Services Team supporting Guildford and Waverley. You will advise on planning applications, enforcement, appeals, obligations and judicial reviews, and attend Planning Committees. You will mentor junior colleagues and help balance casework with team development.

The role combines substantial casework (about 90%) with a focus on management and development of the team (about 10%).

Qualifications

• Significant experience of planning law and practice.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience of advising committees, members and senior officers.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise on planning applications, enforcement matters, planning appeals, planning obligations and judicial reviews.
• Attend and advise Planning Committees and provide support to junior team members.
• Handle a varied caseload (approx. 90% casework) with remaining time on management/development of the team.

Skills

Significant experience of planning law

Excellent communication

Experience of advising committees

Independent with team collaboration

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Shared Legal Services Team supporting both Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council.

As Senior Planning Lawyer, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality legal advice and support across a broad range of planning matters. You will work closely with officers, members and colleagues to help deliver the councils' priorities while managing a varied and interesting caseload.

The role includes advising on planning applications, enforcement matters, planning appeals, planning obligations, judicial review challenges and other matters relating to the councils' planning functions. You will also attend and advise Planning Committees and provide support and mentoring to junior members of the team.

Approximately 90% of your time will be spent undertaking casework, with the remaining 10% focused on supporting the management and development of the team.

It is anticipated that approximately 90% of the postholders time will be spent undertaking casework and 10% spent providing management and support to other team members.

About you

You will have:

• Significant experience of planning law and practice.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience of advising committees, members and senior officers.
• The ability to manage a varied caseload and work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.

Local government experience is desirable, although applications from candidates with relevant transferable experience will be considered.

Ready to join us?

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact James Tong, (Principal Lawyer -Planning) on 01483 523083 or Michael Elford (Legal Services Manager) on 01483523019

Closing date for applications is 9:00am on Monday 17th August 2026 and we expect interviews to be held on the 31st August in Guildford.

Equality and Inclusion Statement

The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time.

Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.

Information -

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications.

All submitted information, whether supported by AI or not, must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications.

Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.

From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, following the government’s confirmed plans for local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, with West Surrey taking responsibility for the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking.

As we move towards this transition, our focus remains firmly on delivering high-quality, value-for-money services and staying true to our shared organisational values of Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism.

We recognise that any period of organisational change can bring questions, particularly regarding future structures and working arrangements. Throughout this process, we are committed to supporting our colleagues with transparency and care prioritising wellbeing, maintaining a trusted and open dialogue, and ensuring continued access to learning and professional development opportunities.

While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.