Locum Legal Services Team Leader - Planning & Environment

Locum Legal Services Team Leader - Planning & Environment, East Midlands Local Authority, 6-9 months initial contract

An established Local Authority is seeking an experienced Planning Lawyer / Team Leader to join its Legal Services Division on a locum basis for an initial 6-9 month assignment starting March 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a small, friendly and dedicated Planning & Environment team supporting a wide-ranging regulatory and licensing function within a busy Council environment.

The Role

Contract Length: 6-9 Month Contract Commencing March 2026

Working Pattern: Full-Time (5 Days per Week Preferred)

Working Arrangement: Hybrid preferred, with one day a week in office

Rate: Up to £65 per hour (Flexibility for right candidate)

You will manage and supervise a specialist legal team advising across a broad regulatory remit, including:

• Planning
• Highways
• Licensing (including under the Licensing Act 2003)
• Taxi licensing
• Pollution control
• Food safety
• Health & Safety
• Trading Standards
• Safer Housing

The team advises key Council Committees, including Planning, Licensing & Regulatory and Appeals Committees.

Alongside team leadership responsibilities, you will maintain your own caseload primarily focused on Town and Country Planning law. Experience in Highways law would be advantageous but is not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing, supervising and supporting solicitors, legal executives, trainees and support staff
• Overseeing team performance and ensuring service delivery meets Council requirements
• Complex drafting work, particularly Section 106 Agreements
• Drafting and analysing Certificates of Lawful Use
• Advising on planning policy and strategic matters
• Attending and advising at Planning Committee
• Handling Planning Enforcement matters
• Providing clear, pragmatic legal advice to:
  • Councillors
  • Senior and departmental officers
  • Colleagues within Legal Services

Ideal Candidate

You will:

• Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with 5+ years' PQE
• Have strong planning law experience within a local authority setting
• Demonstrate proven team leadership or supervisory experience
• Be confident advising committees and senior stakeholders
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Deliver concise, clear written and oral advice
• Be comfortable using Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and case management systems
• Adhere to time recording practices

A collaborative approach and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced regulatory environment are essential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Planning Lawyer seeking a leadership-focused interim role within a supportive and well-established local authority legal team.

For a confidential discussion and further details, please contact Philippa Stoate or Ebby Vallance on or email

Ref No. J93744

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates.