Planning Solicitor – Interim
Salary: £44,075 – £47,181 (pay award pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking a skilled and motivated legal professional with experience in Planning and Regulatory law, playing a key role in delivering a high quality, proactive and customer focused legal service to the Council.
Reporting to the Principal Solicitor, you will support the delivery of a comprehensive legal service across planning matters, contributing to the Council’s strategic priorities and ensuring that decisions are underpinned by a robust legal framework. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local government, supporting sustainable development and shaping the communities we serve.
About the Role
The role will involve:
Managing a varied caseload of planning and regulatory matters, including planning applications, enforcement, appeals, inquiries and related litigation
Providing clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice on complex planning issues, including development management, policy and interpretation of legislation
Drafting and advising on planning agreements, including section 106 agreements, unilateral undertakings and related infrastructure arrangements
Preparing and conducting cases, including advocacy where appropriate, in courts, tribunals and public inquiries or instruct Counsel as required
Supporting the development of planning policy, including local plans and neighbourhood plans, ensuring legal compliance and best practice
Attending committees, sub-committees and working groups, providing timely and accurate legal advice to Members and senior officers
Contributing to the drafting of bespoke legal documentation and the development of new processes and working practices in evolving areas of law
Building strong working relationships with internal teams, external partners and stakeholders to deliver coordinated and effective outcomes
Supporting continuous improvement within the legal service, contributing to a proactive, efficient and high-performing team
You will play a key role in supporting the Council’s corporate objectives, helping to manage risk, uphold governance standards and ensure lawful and effective delivery of planning services.
What You Will Bring
You will be a capable and confident legal professional with experience in planning law and a strong commitment to public service. You will bring:
Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with experience in planning law and local government work
Strong technical knowledge of planning legislation, practice and procedure, including enforcement and planning obligations
Experience of drafting legal agreements and handling planning-related proceedings, including advocacy or case preparation
The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines within a complex environment
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise senior officers, Members and external stakeholders
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide creative and legally sound solutions
A proactive, solution-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail
The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative and supportive team
You will be driven to deliver excellent outcomes, contribute to continuous improvement and support a culture that is customer-focused, professional and responsive.
For more information please see the job description here [doc.86kb]
If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity or would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Katherine Brioude Katherine.Brioude@northyorks.gov.uk or Penny Keatings Penny.Keatings@northyorks.gov.uk
Key dates:
Closing date: Monday 20 July ( midnight)
Shortlisting date: Thursday 23 July
Apply:
To apply please visit https://nyresourcing.co.uk/west-lancashire-borough-council-legal-opportunities/
Provide us with your CV including a supporting statement in one Microsoft Word document. Your supporting statement should outline your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role.
Please state which role or roles you are applying for in the header of your email.
Please also complete and email the following questionnaireto accompany your application.
Applications should be emailed to Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk. Please do not send PDFs.
It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (telephone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period.
These are politically restricted posts (see Section 2 Local Government and Housing Act 1989).
