Senior Planning Lawyer (Edinburgh)

Overview

In this role you will join WBD’s Edinburgh Real Estate Planning team to support high-profile infrastructure and development work. You will advise on large-scale projects, guide planning strategy, and coordinate with a national real estate practice. This is an opportunity to contribute to a growing Edinburgh hub with a culture focused on wellbeing, inclusion, and collaboration. You will work on major developments beyond the city and help shape the firm’s planning practice in Scotland.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working (full-time/part-time)
• health and wellbeing resources
• Mindful Business Charter
• inclusive culture (DEI initiatives)
• employee networks and support
• hybrid working arrangements

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex planning matters including development consent orders and compulsory acquisitions
• Provide strategic planning advice and review Environmental Statements
• Assist with project management and support the national real estate practice
• Handle inquiries, examinations and judicial reviews related to planning
• Lead and supervise junior team members
• Manage planning agreements and highway agreements
• Knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
• Desirable: experience with compulsory acquisitions

Key requirements

• 7+ years post-qualification experience in planning
• Legal qualification
• Knowledge of Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (desirable: Planning Act 2008)
• Experience leading on complex planning agreements
• Experience with highway agreements
• Ability to handle inquiries/examinations and judicial reviews
• Experience supervising junior members
• Knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
• Desirable: experience of compulsory acquisition

• leadership and mentorship
• client-focused advisory capability
• collaborative, open culture mindset
• planning law
• infrastructure planning
• environmental law

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