Senior Planning and Development Lawyer

Fixed-Term Contract Full-Time, Fixed-Term Contract Part Time

Posted:

07.02.2025

Employer type:

Local Authority

Job Description:

Up to £60,213 per annum depending on skills and experience

Negotiable Fixed-term Contract to cover maternity leave during 2025 for approximately 9-12 months

Full-time or Part-time considered

Are you looking for your next challenge in Planning law?

Ashford Borough Council is looking to recruit a Senior Planning & Development Lawyer as soon as possible to cover maternity leave. This is an exciting role for a Planning Lawyer looking to expand or explore a career in the public sector, and would provide an excellent opportunity to move into more senior-level and major development work. The Council is working on a plethora of interesting and challenging developments, ranging from innovative Council-funded projects and nationally significant infrastructure to major mixed-use schemes.

The quality of work available is exceptional, and the successful candidate will be involved in major projects from the outset. If you are looking to join a local authority offering interesting work, in a highly attractive part of the country with excellent connections to London, the coast and the Continent, this could be the role for you.

The successful candidate will join a collegiate, friendly Legal Service and must have a drive to deliver best legal advice and support to our client officers. You will be a qualified, practising Solicitor/Barrister/CILEX with a sound knowledge of Planning law. Official duties include:

1. Providing specialist legal advice to the Council’s planning and development service;
2. Drafting and negotiating complex S.106 agreements for major and strategic developments, and for achieving nutrient neutrality for all new housing in the Stodmarsh (River Stour) catchment;
3. Advising on and negotiating infrastructure funding agreements;
4. Acting as the legal representative at Planning examinations or hearings;
5. Advising on and preparing Planning-related cases for Court, Public Inquiry or other Appeal hearings, and instructing Counsel and attending such hearings.

There may also be some scope for advising on spatial planning matters and/or advising Members.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact:
Jeremy Baker, Principal Solicitor – Strategic Development and Deputy Monitoring Officer, on 01233 330574.

You may supplement your application form by also submitting a CV to

Hybrid Working – The Council puts people first and understands the importance of employee wellbeing. We want to help you to balance your working and home life, and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way, both at home and (when required) in the office. This maximises personal development, collaborative working and the use of digital meeting software. For this post, there is considerable flexibility to negotiate location arrangements based on personal needs and circumstances.

Competitive remuneration package – We offer an excellent salary-linked pension scheme (if desired), generous annual leave with flexi-time, free life insurance, and opportunities for receiving and delivering in-house training and enhancing your skill-set.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide.

Closing date: 9 March 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the ‘Enquire/Apply’ button below.

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