Overview
Job Description
Salary: £55,967 – £59,524 per annum
Hours per week: 37 hours
Interview date: To be confirmed following shortlisting
Legal – Shaping our Communities Future
Join our supportive in-house Legal team as a Principal Planning Solicitor. This is a key leadership role where you’ll guide a small team and provide expert legal support on planning matters that directly impact our communities.
As a Principal Solicitor, you will lead and manage the delivery of high-quality planning legal advice and act as legal advisor at planning committees. You will provide legal advice on planning permissions and on a range of routine, complex planning, and highways-related issues, including transactions and agreements.
You will support the ongoing local plan review for Wiltshire and other areas of significant planning policy and work on a diverse range of exciting legal cases, such as supporting the planning teams on major infrastructure developments and complex legal agreement cases.
Why Join Us?
You’ll work on high-impact cases that make a real impact on communities across Wiltshire, including:
- Old Sarum Airfield – We advised the Council on an appeal against Wiltshire Council’s refusal of a 315-home and mixed-use development at Old Sarum Airfield, near a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Conservation Area. The Council is now legally challenging the Inspector’s approval, as a key Grade II* listed WWI aircraft hangar was destroyed by fire shortly after the decision. More details can be seen here .
- Ashton Park – We advised on a major application by Ashton Park Trowbridge Ltd and Persimmon Homes Ltd for 2,500 homes, schools, employment land, and an ecological visitor centre – one of Wiltshire’s largest allocated sites. More details about this project can be found here .
- Lime Down – We advised Wiltshire Council, acting as the host local authority and a statutory consultee, on the proposed Lime Down Solar Park, which is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This project will soon be under examination and will be decided by the Secretary of State under the powers conferred by the Planning Act 2008. More details can be found here .
About You
- Qualified Solicitor with 8+ years post-qualification experience, including 5+ years in planning law
- Specialist knowledge of Planning and local government law
- Line management experience (desirable but not essential)
Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply as well as Our Identity .
The council is committed to creating an environment of positive working relationships where everyone feels engaged, supported and able to thrive. Our Identity is a framework which sets out how we are all expected to lead, work and act to deliver our services. We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment of any kind. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect which is underpinned by our vision and Our Identity framework.
For more details, contact Marcus Wilson, Service Manager (Non-Contentious), at Marcus.Wilson@wiltshire.gov.uk , or call 01225 718209.
This role may be subject to certain successful security checks; please see the role description for more information.
We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services. Read our statement of commitment to equality and inclusion .
Disability Confident Employer
Application process
Please ensure to regularly check your spam/junk folder for any communication from us regarding your application status. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on any important updates or interview invitations. Thank you!
