Deputy Principal Planning Lawyer 
for strategic development work and innovative legal approaches to planning
Salary up to £56,333 p.a. (including Leased Car / Car Allowance), depending on skills and experience plus generous tax-free Relocation Allowance, if applicable

Ashford Borough Council has earned a reputation for innovation, infrastructure and entrepreneurship. Our ambitious Local Plan sets ground-breaking standards for spacious, high-quality, fibre-connected development.

We put people first.   Recognising the importance of a good work-life balance for health and well-being, we focus on productivity rather than hours.   We offer an excellent benefits package including: flexible and home-working, full or part-time roles or job shares, empowerment to manage your own time, maternity, paternity or shared parental leave,  salary-linked pension.

We can tailor fee-earning work to suit your skills, experience and interests.   Examples include:- complex section 106 agreements, large strategic developments, town centre regeneration projects, infrastructure funding, planning policy documents, advising the evening planning committee and other councillor meetings, planning appeals and public inquiries.

Also included are some team management responsibilities, and opportunities to help lead the continuing digital transformation of our Legal Service.

We are keen to hear from you if you are a proficient, pro-active and responsive lawyer with strong, positive communication and influencing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to achieve the best practical outcomes for the Council and the public we serve.

You will have strong recent post-qualification experience (ideally, some within a local government environment) in the above and/or similar areas of work.

Ashford Borough has one of the highest scores for “Quality of Life”.

Ashford is a fast-growing town in the heart of the “Garden of England”, just 38 minutes from London by high-speed train, 45 minutes from the M25, and with Continental Europe close by.   It boasts good schools (including grammar schools), relatively low house prices, and a variety of leisure/retail venues, restaurants and parks.   It is an exciting, prosperous and environmentally-friendly place to live and work.

Our offices are adjacent to a Leisure Centre, and just five minutes’ walk from both Ashford town centre and Ashford International station.

Our strong in-house Legal Service requires an experienced senior lawyer, to undertake an exciting range of high-profile development, planning and regeneration work.

For an informal discussion, please contact: Jeremy Baker, Principal Solicitor (Strategic Development), on 01233 330574 or email: Jeremy.baker@ashford.co.uk 

To view a job description and to apply visit the jobs page of our website www.ashford.gov.uk/jobs

Closing date:  24 May 2021

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide