Planning Policy Officer

Dartmoor National Park Authority; Highweek; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Cycle to work

EV pool car

Office on National Trust estate

Discounts at Visitor Centres

Free parking

Job summary

Dartmoor National Park Authority is seeking a Planning Policy Officer on a full-time, permanent basis, working 37 hours per week. You will support the Local Plan, prepare reports and appraisals, and engage with communities, stakeholders and partners to ensure development respects the park's special qualities.

You'll contribute to climate change mitigation, nature recovery and sustainable development, collaborating with colleagues to shape Dartmoor's future and align evidence with policy

Qualifications

• Interest in planning policy and sustainable development.
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret information to inform policy.

Responsibilities

• Support statutory planning policy functions, focusing on Local Plan preparation, implementation, monitoring and review.
• Undertake research, surveys, data collection and analysis to inform planning policies.
• Prepare reports and appraisals, and support consultations with communities and partners.
• Provide planning policy advice to colleagues, applicants and landowners to align development with the park’s qualities.

Skills

Research & analysis

Policy development

Data management

Written communication

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Dartmoor National Park Authority works in partnership with local and national stakeholders to conserve and enhance Dartmoor as a vibrant, living, working landscape and community teeming with natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.

We promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the special qualities of Dartmoor National Park, whilst also promoting the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.

We are now looking for a Planning Policy Officer to join our team on a full-time, permanent basis, working 37 hours per week.

The Role

As a Planning Policy Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the Authority’s statutory planning policy functions, with a particular focus on the preparation, implementation, monitoring and review of the Local Plan and its supporting evidence base.

You will undertake research, surveys, data collection and analysis to inform planning policies, prepare reports and appraisals, and support consultation and engagement with local communities, stakeholders and partner organisations. You will also provide planning policy advice to colleagues, applicants, landowners and neighbourhood planning groups, helping to ensure that development across Dartmoor supports the National Park’s special qualities and long-term sustainability.

Alongside your Local Plan responsibilities, you will contribute to the preparation, monitoring and review of the Dartmoor Partnership Plan, helping to align evidence, monitoring frameworks and spatial priorities where appropriate. You will also support work relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation, nature recovery and sustainable development, working collaboratively with colleagues and partners to help shape Dartmoor’s future.

The Benefits

• - Salary of £35,570 - £40,444 per annum
• - Generous annual leave and flexitime policies
• - Cycle to work scheme
• - Access to electric vehicle pool car fleet
• - Beautiful office location on National Trust estate, with free parking and café on site
• - Discounts at National Park Visitor Centres
• - Free parking in our car parks on Dartmoor

About You

To be successful as a Planning Policy Officer, you will have an interest in planning policy and sustainable development, alongside the ability to research, analyse and interpret information to support evidence-based decision-making. You will be confident producing clear reports and written material, managing data and contributing to policy development and appraisal.

You will have excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and partner organisations. You will also be comfortable engaging with a range of audiences, supporting consultations and explaining planning policy matters clearly and effectively.

An understanding of the planning system, Local Plan preparation and the challenges facing National Parks would be beneficial. You will also appreciate the importance of addressing climate change, supporting nature recovery and working in partnership to conserve and enhance Dartmoor’s special qualities.

For further information, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Dean Kinsella, Director of Spatial Planning.

Interview date

Thursday 3 December 2026

Dartmoor National Park Authority is a disability confident and an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.