Planning Solicitor – PQE

Lester Aldridge have an exciting opportunity for a planning and environmental lawyer to join our busy Chambers and Legal 500 ranked Planning team, primarily based in our Southampton office. You will have gained some initial experience within the planning sector, and will have excellent technical knowledge, communication, organisational and IT skills. You will be supported to work with the team on an existing caseload which includes a varied range of work across planning and environmental matters.

It will be primarily focused on non contentious matters, such as strategic decision‑making and advice, drafting and negotiating planning obligations and planning due diligence, for a range of mainly developer clients. You will also have the opportunity to assist in developing the team’s natural capital practice. Working within our Real Estate Development team, you will also play a role assisting the wider Real Estate Group on the full range of planning and environmental issues arising in site acquisitions for residential house builders, strategic land deals, development finance projects, commercial development transactions as well as teams working for investors and lenders.

At LA, our client service is the priority across the firm and we are constantly looking for ways to add value to the services we offer. We aim to mirror this in our work ethic where we try to achieve a balance reflecting quality of life and quality of work, whilst meeting the varying needs of our clients. If you are looking to develop your career working with a strong client base or looking for a change of setting, then contact us for a confidential discussion.

This is a role in which we encourage you to work and interact directly with clients, as we work together to support existing client relationships as well as enabling you to develop your own practice. You will become part of a team led by two partners and a senior associate. Based in Southampton, you may have occasional opportunities to work from our London and Bournemouth offices.

Our priority is to provide practical, commercial and innovative solutions and strategic advice to our clients based across the South of England.

• Advising clients on all aspects of planning law, including planning applications, appeals, local plan policies and variations to planning permissions.
• Drafting and negotiating section 106 agreements and unilateral undertakings.
• Advising on and conducting planning litigation including statutory and judicial reviews of planning decisions and associated decision‑making.
• Advising on BNG, CIL, natural capital, EIAs/EORs and compulsory purchase and compensation.
• Advising on the implications of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
• Working with clients to manage the regulatory, policy and legislative issues impacting development projects including environmental law considerations.
• Working with colleagues beyond real estate to deliver related advice on the development and operation of transport infrastructure (including ports and marinas) as well as care, older living and health related enterprises.
• Managing and developing client relationships, with a focus on delivering exceptional client service.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Relevant or related experience in private practice or in the public sector
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Previous planning law background
• Drafting knowledge

Our reputation rests on the expertise of our people who are first class in every respect and if like us, you are committed to putting clients and colleagues first, we would like to hear from you. In return, we offer a competitive package, including contributory pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance, 25 days holidays plus an extra day off at Christmas and your birthday off, access to perkbox – an online discounts platform, which includes discounted cinema tickets, and lots more.

Lester Aldridge is committed to being an equal opportunities employer.