PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

•    An opportunity to join our national Planning & Infrastructure Consenting team in Manchester, working on complex, high-profile planning, regeneration and infrastructure matters across the UK. The role offers broad exposure to strategic advisory, transactional and contentious planning work, with the chance to work closely with leading partners and a diverse client base across the public and private sectors.

THE TEAM

•    Our Manchester Planning & Infrastructure Consenting team is a thriving part of the practice, with a strong and growing profile in development, regeneration and infrastructure work. The Manchester team has both a strong local profile and the wider team has a leading national presence across the Leeds, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. 
•    The Manchester team works with national housebuilders, strategic land promoters, investors, retailers, universities, charities, local authorities, public bodies and joint venture vehicles and plays a central role in the Firm's continued growth. The team advises clients on a broad range of matters including strategic land, major residential and mixed-use schemes, city centre regeneration, highways, compulsory purchase, nuclear, planning litigation and infrastructure consenting (including transport and energy-led schemes). 

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE

In this role, you will work as part of a collaborative national team on a wide range of planning matters, including: 
•    advising on planning strategy for major development and infrastructure projects across a range of sectors, including strategic employment, residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes;
•    drafting and negotiating section 106 agreements, highways agreements and other infrastructure documentation;
•    supporting the promotion of compulsory purchase orders for local authorities and other acquiring authorities;
•    advising on planning applications, development strategy and wider planning risk;
•    assisting with planning appeals, judicial review, statutory challenges and enforcement matters; and
•    working directly with clients and taking ownership of key workstreams with appropriate supervision.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

We are looking for a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with between NQ and 4 years' PQE, with experience in planning law. You are likely to have:
•    a good grounding in town and country planning and highway law;
•    experience drafting and negotiating planning and highways agreements, including section 106, section 278 and section 38 agreements;
•    strong drafting skills, attention to detail and the ability to deliver clear, commercial advice;
•    the ability to manage matters or workstreams appropriate to your level and to work effectively as part of a wider team;
•    confidence building client relationships and taking increasing responsibility for client-facing work.
It would also be helpful, although not essential, if you have experience of, or an interest in developing experience in:
•    compulsory purchase;
•    planning appeals, judicial review or statutory challenges;
•    NSIPs, DCOs or protective provisions.

OUR FIRM

Our story of international growth is built on a performance mindset, innovation and true collaboration. We believe results follow relationships, so we work closely with each other, and develop deep client connections to deliver. 

Our award-winning culture balances high standards and hard work with genuine care – looking out for each other, supporting professional development, in a down to earth and inclusive environment. We do the right things in the right ways, combining commercial excellence and innovative thinking with teamwork. Together, we deliver excellence, achieve stand out solutions, and enable career-defining opportunities.