Planning Policy Assistant

South Downs National Park Authority; Midhurst; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Healthcare benefits

27 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days

Cycle to work scheme

27–30 days annual leave

Cycle to work

Car sharing

Pool cars

Staff events

Job summary

An environmental planning organization is seeking a Planning Policy Assistant to contribute to the Local Plan Review and assist in consultation and examination processes. This role offers a chance to grow qualifications and participate in new plan-making initiatives. Ideal candidates should be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of clear communication. Flexible and hybrid working options are available, alongside an array of benefits, including healthcare and generous leave policies.

Qualifications

• Strong ability to present information clearly to users.
• Reliable and organized with attention to details.
• Ability to chase down information and statistics.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the South Downs Local Plan Review.
• Assist in the consultation and examination of the Local Plan.
• Participate in developing minerals and waste plans.
• Support the team by facilitating consultations and information gathering.
• Pursue opportunities to gain or improve planning qualifications.

Skills

Information organization

Detail orientation

Communication

Job description

Location: South Downs Centre, Midhurst (Hybrid Working)

Closing Date: 25 January 2026

Interview Date: 5 February 2026

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 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 opportunity 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, some positions may require on-site presence and/or specific hours due to business needs)
• 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 and Wellbeing portal and webinars
• 27 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events/activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty