Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal advice on planning and highways, shaping communities and infrastructure.
- Company: Join a large local authority with a supportive legal team.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local development while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with senior-level planning law experience.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to mentor and support junior lawyers.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52500 £ per year.
This is a senior in-house role within a large local authority legal service, offering the chance to work on a wide range of planning and highways matters that directly shape places, infrastructure and communities.
The role sits within a specialist planning and highways team and combines high-quality technical work with opportunities to develop leadership skills.
You’ll join a dedicated Planning and Highways legal team advising on planning, highways, rights of way and related environmental matters. The team supports ambitious regeneration, infrastructure and sustainability objectives and works closely with planning officers, highways colleagues and elected members. It’s a supportive and collaborative team environment, with a strong emphasis on practical, solutions-focused advice.
You’ll be one of the lead lawyers in the team, providing advice on a broad mix of planning and highways work. Alongside your caseload, you’ll have scope to support junior lawyers and develop your management and leadership capability over time. The caseload will include:
- Section 106 and Section 278 agreements
- Complex and routine planning and highways advice
- Planning enforcement and public law matters
- Public inquiries and hearings
- Advising officers and elected members on risk, governance and decision-making
Who this role suits:
- A qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer
- An experienced planning lawyer, operating at a senior level
- Confident advising on complex planning matters and working with committees and members
- Interested in broadening your experience into highways, public rights of way and wider local government law (or already experienced in these areas)
- Someone who enjoys mentoring and supporting others, even if you’ve not formally managed before
Working arrangements and benefits:
- Hybrid working
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- 27.5 days annual leave, rising to 32.5 days after five years
Principal Planning Lawyer in London employer: Venn Group - Birmingham
Contact Detail:
Venn Group - Birmingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Planning Lawyer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those involved in planning and highways. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past work related to planning and highways. This could include case studies or examples of successful projects you've been involved in, which can really impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers, especially around complex planning matters. The more comfortable you are discussing your experience, the better you'll come across.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that Principal Planning Lawyer role. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making a difference in local communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Planning Lawyer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in planning and highways law. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you’ve mentored others or taken charge of projects, even if you haven’t held a formal management position before.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and qualifications without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our Planning and Highways team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group - Birmingham
✨Know Your Planning Law
Brush up on the latest developments in planning and highways law. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or legislation that could impact local authorities. This shows your passion for the field and your commitment to staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Even if you haven't formally managed a team, think of examples where you've taken the lead on projects or mentored junior colleagues. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your potential to grow into a leadership role within the team.
✨Understand the Team's Objectives
Familiarise yourself with the local authority's regeneration and sustainability goals. During the interview, relate your experience to how you can contribute to these objectives, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also aligned with their mission.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have a few insightful questions ready about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or challenges they face. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if this is the right environment for you.
