Associate - Planning

Our team has grown significantly over the last six years. We are based in London, Exeter and Manchester. Not resting on our laurels, our business plan foresees continued growth over the next five years. We have plans to strengthen our practice in London and the regions and an exciting opportunity has now arisen for an Associate to join our national practice.

The Role Our Planning Team acts for a full range of clients in both the private and public sectors.  We work closely with colleagues in our leading Public Sector, Real Estate, Construction and Corporate teams providing our clients with the best and most commercial advice, irrespective of market sector.  We advise on all contentious and non-contentious aspects of the planning and environmental regimes.

Our team has grown significantly over the last six years. We are based in London, Exeter and Manchester. Not resting on our laurels, our business plan foresees continued growth over the next five years. We have plans to strengthen our practice in London and the regions and an exciting opportunity has now arisen for an Associate to join our national practice.

Working seamlessly with colleagues and clients across the country, you will support planning partners Jacqueline Backhaus, Rory Stracey and Rob Walker.  Most importantly, however, the opportunity is for you to assist in the future development of the firm's planning offering both inside and outside of London. You will have significant opportunity to develop a strong practice.  Some of the team's high profile and significant matters that have been watched closely by the sector include:

Regeneration of Meridian Water – 10,000 homes acting for the London Borough of Enfield;

Relocation of the Museum of London into Smithfield;  Advising the Ellison Institute of Technology regarding potential development prospects following their acquisition of 11-12 St James's Square in London;

Estates regeneration in Merton – Leading on planning, environmental and CPO for 4500 new homes;

Acting for Farnborough Airport Limited in respect of its planning application to increase aircraft movements from 50,000 to 70,000, including increased movements at weekends;

Regeneration of Ham Close in Richmond acting for Richmond Housing Partnership;

Leading planning appeal in Chelsea for Estate regeneration project for 400 new homes;

Leading planning and environmental matters for an innovative self-build scheme in Cherwell for 1900 homes;

Advising on planning and environmental aspects of Energy to Waste plants in Cambridge and North Yorkshire;

Acting for many Registered Providers;

Acting for Historic England;
Acting for many local authorities.

What you'll be doing

Complex planning applications – legal reviews and strategic advice Section
106 agreements

Section 278 agreements

General planning advice in respect of major development schemes in the waste sector, the affordable housing sector, as well as the private developer sector

Acting for planning authorities and registered providers in relation to CPO work Enforcement issues and public inquiry work Planning due diligence on commercial and corporate transactions

Building and maintaining effective client relationships

Active participation in marketing initiatives

Ensuring files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures

Participating in firm-wide and departmental training sessions

Training and development of junior legal staff and secretary (where appropriate)
The Candidate The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we expect of those at the Associate grade.  In particular for this role we require:

Proven ability to take on responsibility and manage files, independently where appropriate;

Qualified solicitor with up to 5 years' experience in…