Principal Associate - Planning

We have an opportunity for a Principal Associate to join our Planning Team based in Birmingham.

We have one of the leading planning practices in the country operating nationally from Birmingham and London. We advise on some of the most high profile developments in the UK across all of the main development sectors and offer the full spectrum of advice on all aspects of planning law, highways, compulsory purchase and compensation. Our practice extends from strategic advice on complex planning applications and infrastructure consenting to appeals and court litigation work.

The Planning Team prides itself on providing commercially sound and clear planning advice to developers, landowners, house builders, retailers and local authorities. The team is involved in a wide range of schemes including :

• Advising on high-profile commercial development projects, including major office and retail and logistics schemes;
• Acting for all of the major house builders on residential-led strategic projects of up to 5,000 new homes;
• Infrastructure work, including Development Consent Orders, particularly in the highways sector and strategic rail freight interchange market;
• Compulsory purchase work acting for both acquiring authorities and objectors, particularly in respect of large housing and regeneration schemes, including advising on compensation claims and referrals to the Upper Tribunal.

The team is further committed to providing industry updates, whether this is through thought leadership content campaigns or events discussing the future of real estate. We regularly provide bespoke training to clients and contributes to external training events.

Our clients include Land Securities, U&I, IM Properties, St Modwen, Helical Bar, Schroders, Goodman Logistics, Lovell Partnership, Clarion Housing, The Dolphin Square Foundation, Miller Group, Eco World, Bloor Homes, Persimmon Homes, Sanctuary Housing Association, Taylor Wimpey Homes, Transport for London, National Highways, London Borough of Barnet, Old Oak Development Corporation and Westminster City Council.

• Advising London Borough of Barnet on the multi-billion pound Brent Cross Cricklewood scheme which will create : a new town centre, incorporating : 7,500 homes, 27,000 jobs, three re-built schools, redevelopment of Brent Cross shopping centre, new parks and community facilities, an additional Thameslink train station, as well as major road and public transport improvements;
• Advising the Langley Consortium on all planning related matters in connection with a new sustainable urban extension of 5,000 new homes on land within the Green Belt to the east of Sutton Coldfield;
• Advising National Highways on applications for Development Consent Orders for major highway schemes;
• Acting for the Crown Estate on the residential redevelopment of Land East of Luton;
• Acting for South Tees Development Corporation on a CPO to secure regeneration of an 800 acre site comprising the former Redcar steelworks;
• Advising Bloor Homes on its objection to the making of a compulsory purchase order by Chichester District Council to acquire land controlled by Bloor Homes for residential development;
• Primary advisers to Transport for London on all of their highways agreements and licences; and
• Advising Ebbsfleet Development Corporation in relation to the Corporation's planning function, including advising on planning committee meetings.

• Manage your own caseload to tight deadlines, remain calm under pressure and prioritise your workload effectively;
• Work in a team environment (which may involve working as part of a bigger project team) and support your colleagues;
• Give clear, practical advice with sound commercial judgment and swift accurate implementation of instructions;
• Negotiate effectively and deliver commercial solutions for our clients;
• Communicate appropriately at all levels within the team and the wider business as well as with clients, agents and other parties as well as attend inquiries, judicial reviews and appeals;
• Work closely and collaboratively with Gowling WLG team members, clients, and other professionals (. local authorities,…