Planning and Highways Lawyer 2
Contract: Permanent
Salary: HC11 £51,356 – £55,915
Market Forces Supplement: An additional £5,000 for 12 months.
Hours: 37
Location: Hereford / Hybrid
At Herefordshire Council, we’re passionate about creating a place where people, nature, and communities thrive together. As part of our friendly and dedicated Planning & Highways Team, you’ll play a meaningful role in shaping the future of our beautiful, rural county, working on projects that directly impact how people live, travel, and connect.
We’re looking for a fresh-thinking, enthusiastic Planning & Highways Lawyer who enjoys collaborating, problem‑solving and making a real difference. Whether you’re early in your career or bring years of experience, if you care about high‑quality legal work and want to support positive outcomes for communities, we’d love to hear from you.
The Role
As Georgina, our Senior Solicitor, says in her ‘day in the life’ overview, “no two days are ever the same”. This is a diverse and stimulating area of law where you will work closely with colleagues across the council and external partners, helping to guide key decisions that affect Herefordshire’s built and natural environment.
You’ll be involved in a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious work, for example:
- Advising on major redevelopment schemes, CPOs, listed buildings and land contamination
- Drafting and negotiating S106, S38 and S278 agreements that help secure vital community infrastructure and developer contributions
- Supporting planning enforcement, prosecutions, appeals and Public Inquiries — including high-profile and impactful cases
- Attending Planning Committee and providing clear, trusted advice to councillors and senior officers
- Contributing to the Council’s work on sustainable development, including green infrastructure and biodiversity net gain
You’ll also have the opportunity to apply legal expertise to innovative environmental projects. The Council has been a national trailblazer in areas such as wetlands construction to support nutrient neutrality — enabling new housing development while protecting our river systems.
If you enjoy seeing the tangible impact of your legal work — and the legacy it creates — this role offers exactly that.
About You
You’ll need to be either a Solicitor, a Fellow of CILEx, or a qualified Barrister. We don’t specify a particular level of PQE — what matters most is your ability to demonstrate knowledge in planning and/or highways law, and a willingness to learn and grow with us.
We welcome applicants from every background and at all career stages. Job‑share and flexible working options are available, and we encourage applications from individuals nationwide.
Why Join Us?
Our Legal Services team is genuinely supportive, friendly, and collaborative. We value professional curiosity, shared learning and a healthy work‑life balance. You’ll be part of a team that encourages you to be yourself and provides the space and trust to do your best work.
In return, we offer:
- Salary of £51,356 – £55,915
- Market Forces Supplement of £5,000 for a 12 month period
- Relocation packages: support of up to £5,000
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (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 itself is a wonderful place to call home, rich in heritage, creativity, rural beauty, and vibrant market towns. Whether you’re choosing to relocate or work remotely with visits to the county, you’ll be joining a council committed to a modern, flexible, people-first workplace.
If you would like a confidential conversation about the opportunity prior to applying, please discuss with Lorna Lucas on 01432 260891.
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role.
To apply, please submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application form, referring to the job description & person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.