Planning Officer (Housing and Communities)

Lancaster City Council; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a qualified Planning Policy Officer in Lancaster to work on housing strategy and planning policy. The ideal candidate should have a recognized degree in town planning, RTPI Chartered Membership, and at least two years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include producing policy documents, supporting planning applications, and engaging with housing teams. The role offers flexible working, generous leave, and employee benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave allowance

Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounted gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts on activities

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ post-qualification experience in planning or housing.
• Experience in a legislative/regulatory context.
• Understanding of assessing and meeting local housing needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain working relationships with professionals.
• Support planning applications determination.
• Assist housing teams in achieving regeneration priorities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Presentation skills

Strong written communication

Relationship building

Education

Degree or postgraduate qualification in town planning

RTPI Chartered Membership

Job description

Overview

The Planning and Housing Strategy Team is looking to recruit a qualified and experienced Planning Policy Officer to join our team working alongside the Principal Housing Strategy Officer on housing strategy and planning policy matters and other lead professionals responsible for climate change, biodiversity and heritage. We are advancing a new Local Plan for Lancaster district. The council has a strong record of keeping its development plan up to date and is nationally acclaimed for its innovative work on climate mitigation and adaption.

Working 37 hours per week, we seek a strategic thinker who is hardworking, enthusiastic and highly motivated and will embrace working with high performing team members. Immediate priorities for the postholder will be to assist in the refresh of the housing evidence to support our new Local Plan. The council has appointed consultants to prepare a district-wide housing needs assessment to review housing needs including market, affordable and specialist housing needs for Lancaster district’s diverse communities. We intend to commission a new Affordable Housing Viability Study which the postholder will lead to maximise opportunities to secure affordable housing. Next year, we will be preparing a new Homes Strategy for Lancaster which will be underpinned by our housing studies and will link to policies being prepared for the new Local Plan.

We are looking for a professional who can produce clear and comprehensive written work including key policy documents such as Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents and Planning Advice Notes, and writing reports. We require a confident speaker with strong presentation skills and the ability to work alongside other team members at stakeholder engagement and public consultation events, as well as presenting complex information clearly to a wide range of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain working relationships with other professionals within the Planning and Climate Change service, other council services and external bodies.
• Provide support to colleagues in the Development Management team so that planning applications are determined in a timely manner with robust information on meeting local housing need.
• Support housing teams to realise the council’s housing and regeneration priorities for Lancaster district.

Qualifications

• You must have a degree or postgraduate qualification in town planning recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute and have RTPI Chartered Membership, or demonstrable equivalent experience to be eligible for Chartered Membership.
• Alternatively, for post-holders with a housing qualification; Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (MCIH) or demonstrable equivalent experience to be eligible for Chartered Membership.
• You will already have at least two years’ post-qualification experience in planning or housing, ideally within a planning policy or strategic housing environment, with a track record of working within a legislative/regulatory context and an understanding of assessing and meeting local housing needs.
• You must hold a full UK driving licence.

Benefits

• Flexible working – hybrid options, generous flexi-time, and opportunities to establish working hours with your team to maximise work-life balance.
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• A range of employee benefits including discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, the option to purchase extra time off, and discounts on days out, activities and retail.
• Climate emergency commitment: contribute to reducing carbon emissions and climate change impacts.
• Investor in People, Forces Friendly employer, and Armed Forces Covenant committed organisation. Applications from defence reserves and all armed forces communities are welcome.

We are an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce and supportive networks. Our workplace wellbeing strategy prioritises staff wellbeing and a great working environment for all.

We are a disability-confident employer.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we may not respond to every applicant individually. If you do not receive a response within 2 weeks of the closing date, your application may be unsuccessful.

Interview date: TBC