Planning Lawyer | Leading National Practice | London

Are you an experienced planning lawyer ready to take the next step in your career with a highly regarded national firm? We're working with a top-tier legal practice to find a talented Planning Lawyer to join their dynamic and supportive Planning team in London. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious legal professional to work on high-profile development projects and broaden their expertise in a nationally recognised environment.

This role sits within a market-leading Planning team that advises a wide-ranging client base including:

- Residential and mixed-use developers
- Major UK retailers
- Corporate occupiers and contractors
- Charities, investors, and funders
- NHS bodies, local authorities, and central government

You'll work closely with senior lawyers on a broad mix of development-related matters, while also developing your own caseload and client relationships. The firm offers a clear path for career progression and will actively support your professional development through mentoring and ongoing training.

Key Responsibilities:

- Deliver strategic and practical advice on securing planning permission
- Draft and negotiate complex Section 106, highways and statutory agreements
- Conduct planning due diligence on real estate, funding and corporate transactions
- Advise on judicial review, enforcement, appeals, and planning-related litigation
- Provide specialist advice on special protection areas, Assets of Community Value, and Village Greens
- Assist with reviewing planning documents and committee reports for risk management purposes
- Offer expert guidance on environmental impact assessments (EIA), Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and GLA planning

You'll also be encouraged to play an active role in business development and marketing, helping to grow the team's profile and your own personal network within the industry.

Candidate RequirementsL

- Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 3 years' PQE in planning and highways law
- Strong drafting skills, especially around complex Section 106 and development agreements
- Demonstrable experience in planning-led regeneration projects, judicial review, and planning appeals
- Excellent technical knowledge and the ability to communicate clearly with clients from non-legal backgrounds
- A proactive, commercially minded approach and a genuine enthusiasm for planning law

The Opportunity:

- Work on cutting-edge development projects with leading clients across the public and private sectors
- Join a collaborative and well-resourced national planning team
- Benefit from clear career progression, personalised development plans, and client exposure from day one
- Enjoy a supportive hybrid working culture and a competitive salary package

The team operates on a hybrid basis with the successful candidate based out of the firm's London office. Team members typically attend the office 2-3 days per week, offering flexibility and a healthy work-life balance.

If you're a planning solicitor looking to build your career in a forward-thinking, nationally respected firm, we'd love to hear from you.

BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.