Planning Policy Assistant

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; England; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning and environmental organization is seeking a Planning Policy Assistant to contribute to the South Downs Local Plan Review. This role, based in the South Downs Centre, offers a hybrid working model and involves collaboration on exciting planning projects. Applicants should have strong organizational skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and the ability to communicate information effectively. This is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to advance their career in planning while actively participating in vital legislative processes.

Benefits

Flexible working

Local government pension scheme

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Healthcare cash plan

27 days annual leave

Professional development support

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Interest in planning and policy development.
• Strong organizational skills and reliability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the South Downs Local Plan Review.
• Assist in the preparation for Local Plan examination.
• Participate in the creation of new minerals and waste plans.

Skills

Information organization

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Statistical analysis

Job description

Position: Planning Policy Assistant

Location: South Downs Centre, Midhurst (Hybrid Working)
Closing Date: 25 January 2026
Interview Date: 5 February 2026
Salary: £28,540 to £31,127
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of post: Permanent

Are you interested in a career in planning, helping to influence how development happens within South Downs National Park? Are you good at chasing down information and statistics and presenting information clearly? Do you like designing and implementing systems that organise information and make it easily available to users? Are you reliable, organised and good with detail, but can also communicate that information to others? If so, then this could be the perfect job for you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within SDNPA’s Planning Policy Team to contribute to our South Downs Local Plan Review, which will be published for its final consultation məlumat and submitted for examination in 2026. As Planning Policy Assistant, you will play a vital role in finalising this Local Plan, carrying out the consultation and assisting the team in preparing for and participating in the Local Plan examination.

We will also be starting work on minerals and waste plans under the new plan-making system being introduced in 2026, so you will have an opportunitysprechpartner to participate in the first generation of these new 30‑month plans and help make the legislation work in practice. It is an exciting time to be a policy planner!

Provided you meet the minimum criteria, you will also have the opportunity to gain or improve your qualifications to progress a career in planning.

Does this sound like something that interests you? Do you think you meet the person specification and can make this role your own? Then please apply!

To apply: Please apply via the button shown to upload your CV and complete our application, referring to the person specification.

SDNPA is an inclusive organisation, and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, faith and religion, disability, and age.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants.

In all circumstances, the SDNPA appoints on merit, based on the evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post. Further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on our website.

SDNPA Enhanced Benefits

• Flexible working (this is available for the majority of our roles. However,การแข่งขันบาง positions may require on‑site presence and/or specific hours due to business needs)
• Local government pension scheme
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Heat Scheme (capped interest‑free green home improvement loan, available on a first‑come, first‑served basis)
• Healthcare, includes cash plan, counselling and wellbeing discounts
• Access to Health$is and Wellbeing portal and webinars
• 27 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays
• Professional development support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events/activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty