Principal Lawyer - Planning and Highways

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.

Organisation

Kirklees

Directorate

Public Health and Corporate Resources

Service Area

Governance & Commissioning

Hours

37

Number of Jobs

1

Location(s)

Huddersfield and surrounding areas

Position type

Permanent

Grade

Grade 14 - 15

Salary

£53,051 to £58,358 + £3000 Market Rate Supplement

Advert Wording

Do you want to make a difference to local people?

As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated Legal Service teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees.

The team

The Planning and Highways team handle a wide range of planning, highways, rights of way and environmental matters supporting our ambition for a sustainable and prosperous Kirklees.

The role

You will be one of the lead lawyers in the team providing advice to officers and elected members. Examples of matters you will deal with include s106 and 278 agreements, complex and routine planning and highways advice, public enquiries, advice on planning enforcement and public law.

Development

If you are ambitious to develop your knowledge in this specialist area and develop your management and leadership skills this is the job for you.

Your skills and experience

You will be a qualified Solicitor holding a current practising certificate, Barrister or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. You will have substantial recent experience at a senior level of planning law and practice and/ or highways law obtained in England and Wales , and experience or the aptitude to develop skills in public rights of way and local government law.

Your benefits

Kirklees Council offers these benefits to all its employees:

• 27.5 days annual leave increasing to 32.5 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel and parking discounts
• Exceptional Maternity and Paternity leave policies
• Exceptional Local Government Pension benefits
• Access to Employee Healthcare that offers a range of services from counselling to physiotherapy and health assessments.
• Hybrid and flexible working

Learn more about Kirklees Council Staff Benefits

If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please telephone John Chapman Head of Legal Services 01484 221 000.

John Chapman is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information. We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any supportcompleting an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email:jobs@kirklees.gov.ukor phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We encourage you to read our AI Guidance before submitting your application to ensure your supporting statements reflect your own authentic experience.

Closing date

01 November 2026, 11:55 PM

Important Information

Job profile/description

Job Profile & Focus Sheet.pdf – 124KB