Planning and Environment Lawyer (Senior Legal Adviser)
Job Reference: HCC622673
Salary Range: £48,948 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £4,500 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications)
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 27 November 2025
Interview Date: 8 and 9 December 2025
Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted; the advert may close early if the volume of applications is high.
The Role:
Join our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited legal department, passionate about delivering the best for Hampshire and making a real difference to the community!
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. Our large legal service supports all Hampshire County Council directorates and a wide range of other public service organisations. Working on matters that are as challenging as they are rewarding, you will advise on a range of interesting, varied, meaningful, high‑profile, and complex projects at the very forefront of public interest, delivering improvements to people’s lives.
What you’ll do:
You will join the Planning and Environment Team, working with colleagues in all Hampshire County Council directorates and third‑party clients.
This role includes providing legal advice and representation to the County Council’s directorates, committees, members and other external partners and client bodies. Your work will increase the efficiency of the team and the County Council as a whole and offers the unique level of support that comes with working within our respected team and Hampshire County Council generally.
You will take responsibility for a large and varied casework portfolio, some of which may involve complex planning work such as s.106, s.278 and s.38 agreements, legal research, public inquiries and mentoring colleagues.
What we’re looking for:
We are seeking an in‑house Planning and Environment Lawyer who is a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer (Fellow of CILEX) with a current practising certificate for England & Wales. You will demonstrate sound legal skills and judgement; a pragmatic, solution‑focused approach; strong client relationship and communication skills; the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team; resilience, motivation and the capacity to prioritise effectively to meet strict deadlines.
Having successfully adopted online and hybrid working, we welcome candidates from outside the area who are able to work partially remotely and from our offices in Winchester.
Benefits:
* Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
* 25‑28 days annual leave entitlement, dependent on Local Authority service
* Electric plug‑in hybrid car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
* Interest‑free travel loans and discounts
* Employee Support Services
* Family‑friendly policies
* Access to online professional legal research resources
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied that could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
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