Infrastructure Projects and Planning Lawyer

Affinity Water are expanding their legal team and have an exciting role for a Planning and Regulatory Projects Lawyer, you will report to the Senior Regulatory Counsel in Affinity Water’s in-house legal team.

About us

Affinity Water is the UKs largest water-only supplier, providing sustainable, high-quality water to 3.85million customers across the Southeast of England.

We are on a mission to redefine the way water companies connect with their customers and communities, and to make better use of water and safeguard the local environment now and in the future.

Outside Affinity Water, you will work with our external lawyers and specialists from other water companies and third parties and internally with the Strategic Resource Options (SRO) team and business stakeholders at all levels of the company.

The role

You'll work at the heart of major infrastructure projects such as The Grand Union Canal (GUC) this will be the first project to be delivered, with a planned completion in 2032. The project will utilise the canal infrastructure to transfer treated wastewater from Severn Trent's wastewater recycling centre at Minworth in the Midlands, to Affinity Water customers in the Southeast, who we predict will experience a water deficit by 2032.

The project is at a critical stage, having completed its first non-statutory consultation in Autumn 2024, and with work progressing through the RAPID scheme, a statutory consultation planned for early 2026, followed by the Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning and Regulatory Projects Lawyer will provide a pivotal role, including:

• Working closely on a day-to-day basis with the SRO team, providing advice on all aspects of planning law to further the delivery of the GUC and other SRO projects;
• Advising throughout the RAPID and DCO processes, including managing the relationship with Affinity Water’s external solicitors;
• Advising in relation to the broader commercial aspects of the SROs including: collaboration agreements, bulk supply agreements, procurement and construction contracts

Experience required

• 5 years PQE, planning law essential
• Qualified solicitor or barrister
• Advising in relation to specialist commercial and construction law contracts
• Excellent legal analytical skills and a close attention to detail
• A high-degree of initiative and the ability to drive outcomes
• Water sector, utilities/infrastructure or construction sector experience

What We Offer:

• Salary c £75,000 per annum based on experience
• Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
• Based from our Head office in Hatfield, with the expectation of at least 2 days on site this position would suit someone looking for either full time or part time hours.
• Company annual bonus scheme.
• Annual leave from 26 days rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
• A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
• Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
• Disability confident (if you need to apply through a different format, please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner for this role)

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.