Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways (Herefordshire Council)

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Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - Herefordshire Council

The Spirit of Herefordshire – A place to thrive

It is an exciting time to join Herefordshire Council. We’re looking for fresh thinking and enthusiastic staff who will support our ambition and passion for Herefordshire, its citizens and communities. We are proud of our stunning county and our exceptional staff and this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark and help us take Herefordshire to the next level.

Our Legal Services team has had new investment to develop and grow our Lawyers and Legal Officers. You will be ambitious, energetic and share our vision to provide high quality services and achieve the LExcel Accreditation. In return we offer a comprehensive training and development programme including in management and leadership skills. We welcome applications from individuals nationwide, as the Council is adopting permanent arrangements to allow a flexible approach to working.

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Senior Planning and Highways Lawyer to join our dedicated and friendly Economy and Environment Team within Legal Services.

The Team is sub-divided into a Planning and Highways Team and a Commercial Property Team. Expertise in planning and highways law and practice is essential (this role does not deal with residential or commercial property conveyancing) and you must be able to demonstrate in depth knowledge in the relevant specialism.

The role will report to the Head of Law for Economy and Environment and manage a small team of planning lawyers and a trainee legal apprentice. The post holder will be expected to provide specialist highly complex, high profile legal advice on a wide range of planning, highway and environmental matters including but not limited to:

• Advice on large scale projects for the redevelopment and improvement of Hereford Town Centre.

• CPOs, land contamination, NDPs and emerging Local Plan and AONB

• Drafting of complex S106 and Highway Agreements

• Planning enforcement work and planning/highway prosecutions in the Magistrates Court

• Dealing with Enforcement /Planning Appeals, Public Inquiries, Judicial Review and High Court proceedings

• Lawful Development Certificates, TPO advice, Listed Buildings, Permitted Development Rights and knowledge of CPO procedures

• Governance and associated local government processes

You will be expected to:

• Provide advice to Councillors, stakeholders and senior officers and to liaise with external bodies and legal advisers

• To attend decision making meetings including Planning Committee either remotely or in person if required.

• Undertake advocacy on contentious planning and highway matters, documents drafting and review of Cabinet and Planning Committee Reports.

• Contribute positively to the improvement of the Legal Services Team

• Provide training and support junior members of the Planning and Highways Team including the Legal Apprentice

• To provide training to Officers and elected Members

This role will suit an enthusiastic highly motivated and organised lawyer seeking a challenge with a willingness to contribute to the improvement of the Legal Services Team as a whole. Experience of managing and leading staff is essential. Excellent client care skills and an eagerness to provide a high quality service to our clients is a must. The ability to work collaboratively is essential.

The Post holder must be either a Solicitor or Legal Executive who is a fellow of CiLEX or a qualified barrister

Salary: £50,287 to £55,979

Closing date: 10 May 2022

To view full details & apply, please visit WMJobs via the apply button below.