Planning Development Officer

East Midlands Combined County Authority; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

East Midlands Combined County Authority is seeking a Planning Development Officer to shape transport and development across the region. The role sits in the Place Directorate and focuses on ensuring sustainable travel, high‑quality public transport and community benefits through collaboration with planning authorities and developers.

You will influence proposals, secure funding, monitor contributions and lead initiatives promoting modal shift, with responsibilities spanning governance,

Qualifications

• Experience advising Local Planning Authorities and developers
• Understanding of planning system and development management processes
• Ability to analyse transport, performance and financial data
• Experience securing developer contributions and external funding

Responsibilities

• Advise planning authorities on public transport implications
• Work with developers to maximise sustainable travel
• Monitor infrastructure and secure contributions
• Lead sustainable transport initiatives with developments
• Prepare funding bids and business cases

Skills

Planning policy

Transport planning

Stakeholder engagement

Budget monitoring

Project management

Education

A Level 3 qualification in transport planning or related discipline

RTPI/CIHT membership advantageous

Tools

GIS

Job description

Help shape sustainable growth across the East Midlands

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Planning Development Officer to join our Place Directorate and help shape how transport and development come together across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring new development supports sustainable travel, high-quality public transport and better outcomes for communities. You will work at the interface between transport planning, development management, infrastructure investment and partnership delivery.

Reporting to the Strategic Lead – Bus Policy, you will provide expert transport and planning advice, influence development proposals, secure, allocate and monitor funding and developer contributions, and lead initiatives that encourage sustainable travel.

What you’ll be doing

You will:

• Advise Local Planning Authorities and Development Control teams on the public transport and infrastructure implications of planning and development proposals.
• Work with developers to ensure transport requirements are properly considered and sustainable travel opportunities are maximised.
• Monitor infrastructure developments and secure planning contributions and Planning Conditions for local bus, community transport and supporting infrastructure.
• Lead sustainable public transport initiatives associated with new developments, including innovative ticketing incentives designed to encourage modal shift.
• Analyse transport, performance and financial data to develop clear, evidence-based submissions and recommendations.
• Prepare reports, funding bids and business cases for senior officers and elected members.
• Support the preparation of consultant briefs and manage and monitor external commissions.
• Research best practice in planning and transport and share learning with public transport providers and partners.
• Develop strong partnerships with Highway Authorities, Local Planning Authorities, other councils and Mayoral Combined Authorities, public transport operators and community transport providers.
• Contribute to planning strategy development and ongoing reviews.
• Identify opportunities for service improvement and turn ideas into practical, deliverable solutions.
• Lead on legal and compliance-related discussions, working positively with legal colleagues and ensuring appropriate governance and compliance.
• Provide clear, timely advice and technical insight on complex transport and planning matters.

About you

We are looking for someone who can combine technical knowledge with strong relationship-building and communication skills.

You will have experience of working with Local Planning Authorities and developers, with a good understanding of the planning system and development management processes relevant to transport and highways.

You will also be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge and experience of the Planning process including planning and transport legislation and regulations.
• Experience of delivering projects within transport planning, passenger transport, infrastructure or a related environment.
• The ability to analyse transport, performance and financial data and monitor project budgets.
• Experience of securing and managing developer contributions and/or external funding.
• Experience of preparing funding bids, business cases and evidence-based reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical audiences.
• Experience of procurement, contract management and monitoring delivery against plans, budgets and outcomes.
• The ability to work collaboratively with legal, planning, transport and other professional colleagues to resolve issues and deliver positive outcomes.
• A Level 3 qualification, or equivalent experience, in transport planning, planning, project management or a related discipline. RTPI, CIHT or equivalent membership/qualification would be advantageous.

Knowledge of programme and project development principles, including risk, dependencies and benefits realisation, together with relevant professional CPD in transport planning, development management, infrastructure funding or project delivery, would be desirable.

Our values

We are committed to making a real difference to the people and places we serve. Our work is shaped by four values:

Lifting our region – putting wider regional outcomes first and being a passionate advocate for our place.

Working together – building strong relationships, bringing partners together and providing constructive challenge.

Making an impact – turning ideas into action and demonstrating how our work delivers wider system improvements.

Being human – valuing different perspectives, connecting authentically with others and creating an inclusive environment.

This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile development and transport projects that will shape the future of sustainable travel across the region. You will work with a wide range of partners and have the autonomy to influence solutions, secure investment and make a tangible difference to communities.

If you are passionate about connecting transport, planning and development and want to help deliver a more prosperous, sustainable and fairer region, we would love to hear from you.

Join us as a Planning Development Officer and help turn sustainable transport ambitions into reality.

Closing Date: 29/09/2026

Proposed Interview Date: 08/10/2026

For an informal chat about this role please contact: