Lawyer - Planning & Highways
Join the Coventry City Council as a Lawyer in Planning & Highways. This role is based in the Place Team, part of Law and Governance Services, responsible for all planning, highways and commercial property advice to the Council.
Our Values
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities.
* Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
* Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
* Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
* Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
* Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
* Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
About the Team We Are Recruiting To
Coventry City Council, Law and Governance Services is an outcome‑focused service recognised for its dedication to improving the communities in which we live and work and delivering professional excellence. The Place Team is responsible for all planning, highways, and commercial property advice to the Council. The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload, including but not limited to s.106 agreements, and will provide planning, legal, and policy advice to planning officers, Councillors, stakeholders and senior officers.
What is the job role?
An opportunity has arisen for a qualified and experienced Planning Lawyer to join the Council’s Law and Governance Service. The role will encompass transactional, advisory and litigious work, including s.106 agreements, planning enforcement, development management and policy. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to other areas of practice such as property, environment, highways, traffic, rights of way and common land.
* Provision of legal planning support for key regeneration projects such as Coventry City Centre South and Eastern Green Sustainable Urban Extension.
* Attending decision‑making meetings, including the Planning Committee.
* Working flexibly across a multi‑skilled team and using IT and case management systems.
Who are we looking for?
The role suits a detailed, focused, enthusiastic lawyer who can handle a busy and challenging caseload. Key capabilities include:
* Strong drafting, negotiating and advisory skills.
* Competence with IT and case management systems.
* Positive, solution‑oriented approach to complex problems.
* Risk‑management awareness and ability to anticipate and adapt to business and client needs.
Personal Statement
When applying you will be asked to write a personal statement, which should demonstrate the following:
* Being an experienced Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (Fellow).
* Understanding of the law relating to Planning and experience of managing a busy planning caseload.
* Experience dealing with s106 planning and associated agreements.
* Experience working with elected members and senior officers, including attendance at, and advising the planning committee.
* Knowledge of Planning Legislation, including the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and the Development Management Procedure (England) Order 2015.
* Knowledge of the legislation on Compulsory Purchase Orders and ability to draft associated documentation.
* Knowledge and understanding of local government and administrative law.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you must meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the following criteria:
* Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
* Those currently in care or who have previously been in care.
* Individuals who consider themselves disabled or who have a long‑term health condition.
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit. We are cutting‑edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. With around 5100 staff from a range of backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
Benefits
All employees are entitled to a competitive rewards and benefits package. For more information please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies
Key Information
* Right to Work in the UK required – we are not offering sponsorship.
Attached Documents
* Job Description and Person Specification.pdf
* Coventry City Council Application Process.pdf
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