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Lawyer 1 - Planning and Highways

Hereford Full-Time 34000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)

At a Glance

Tasks: Join our Planning & Highways Team to provide legal advice on exciting projects.
Company: Herefordshire Council, a modern and vibrant workplace.
Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
Why this job: Make a real impact in a beautiful rural setting while advancing your legal career.
Qualifications: Solicitor or Legal Executive with experience in planning and highways law.
Other info: Supportive environment with excellent career growth and work-life balance.

The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 £ per year.

Herefordshire Council

About The Role

Contract: Permanent

Salary: HC09 – HC10 £40,777 – £50,269

Hours: 37

Location: Hereford

Closing Date: 08/10/2025 dependant on experience

We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer to join our dedicated and friendly Planning & Highways Team within Legal Services.

Working in a mutually supportive environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark and help us take Herefordshire to the next level.

The role requires experience in planning and highways law and it is essential that you are able to demonstrate knowledge in these specialisms.

You will provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues, varying in complexity including but not limited to:

Advice on large scale redevelopment schemes, CPOs, listed buildings, land contamination
Drafting of S106 and Highway Agreements
Planning enforcement work and planning/highway prosecutions
Dealing with Appeals and Public Inquiries
Lawful Development Certificates, TPO advice
Judicial Review, High Court proceedings, governance and other areas of legal practice

You will be expected to:

Provide advice to councillors, stakeholders and senior officers and to liaise with external bodies and legal advisers
Attend decision making meetings including Planning Committee remotely or in person if required
Undertake advocacy on contentious planning and highway matters, draft documents and review Cabinet and Planning Committee Reports
Contribute to the improvement of the Legal Services Team
Support junior members of the team including the Legal Apprentice in legal practice and procedure contributing towards their professional development

The post holder must be either a Solicitor or Legal Executive who is a fellow of CiLEX or a qualified barrister. We do not stipulate a certain PQE and would welcome applications from applicants at any stage of their career, whether or not your expertise is in the public or private sectors. We will also consider job share.

In return, we offer:

Basic Salary of £39,513 to £48,710 dependant on experience
Relocation packages: support of up to £5,000
Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
Professional development- comprehensive training and development programme
Generous annual leave: 31 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum (pro rata)
Flexible working
Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
Payment of professional membership fees
Pick your perks- our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county located in the heart of the Marches on the border with Wales. We are one of the most rural and sparsely populated counties in England with a wealth of unspoilt countryside, distinctive heritage, and lively and attractive market towns.

We have ambitions for Herefordshire to be an exemplar of 21st century rural living where market towns and rural communities are valued and recognised for the contributions they make to the success of the county. It’s a great place to live with a beautiful natural environment and we’re creating a thriving local economy which is sustainable, well connected and offers wellbeing across the whole of the country.

The Council has recently undergone a transformation allowing it to be a modern, vibrant workplace where creativity and collaboration is actively encouraged and staff feel engaged and empowered. Employees are provided with choice, tools and the environment to deliver remotely or flexibly. Central to our vision is recognising the importance of a good home/work life balance, offering you the opportunity to work for us on a fully flexible basis. As such we welcome applications from individuals nationwide.

The Council plan sets out how we will make our contribution to achieving a better and more successful Herefordshire, please see the link below to find out more:

Herefordshire Council Plan 2024-28

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Legal