Principal Planner

North Yorkshire Council; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual leave 28–34 days (pro‑rata)

LGPS pension

Supportive team culture

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council’s Planning Service is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to manage a diverse portfolio of major and complex planning applications. You will guide strategic development projects and influence decisions affecting communities, economy and environment.

Hybrid working enables remote and local engagement within your patch. The role requires extensive planning experience, knowledge of legislation, and the ability to mentor colleagues while navigating a political and

Qualifications

• Degree or higher in planning or related subject; RTPI eligibility or membership.
• Experience working on major and complex planning cases.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead on major and strategically important planning applications.
• Manage complex development proposals from pre-application to determination and appeal.
• Present reports and recommendations to Planning Committees.

Skills

Major planning experience

Legislation knowledge

Time management

Political/stakeholder engagement

Mentoring/supervising

Education

Degree in planning or related subject

Post-graduate degree / master's in planning

Eligible for RTPI membership

Job description

Are you ready to take the next step in your planning career?

Join one England's newest and largest unitary authorities, we're responsible for delivering services across a unique and diverse area. Our Planning Service plays a vital role in supporting sustainable growth, protecting our outstanding natural environment and helping create thriving communities.

About the Team

Are you an experienced planner looking for an opportunity to work on significant, complex and high-profile development proposals that genuinely shape communities and places?

North Yorkshire Council’s Planning Services are at the heart of change, helping communities grow and thrive across one of the most diverse landscapes in the UK.

As a team, we work on a diverse set of projects, from domestic through to national infrastructure – offering opportunities for staff to develop expertise and contribute to projects that shape our area. If you are ambitious about your future in Planning this is a great time to join us as we invest in building a world class planning service, whilst being community focussed on a local level.

We operate a hybrid model of working, offering the opportunity for our staff to work from home, but also from a base within your ‘patch’ to enable you to be fully immersed within the community in which you will provide your skills and expertise.

For more information about our planning service, visit our Planning Opportunities Page

Role summary

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will be trusted to manage a varied portfolio of major and complex planning applications, guide strategic development projects, and influence decisions that will have a lasting impact on North Yorkshire's communities, economy and environment.

Planning experience is fundamental to success in this position. We are looking for someone who can confidently navigate complex planning issues, balance competing priorities and provide professional planning advice at the highest level.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading on major and strategically important planning applications.
• Manage complex development proposals from pre-application stage through to determination and appeal.
• Present reports and recommendations to Planning Committees.
• Acting as case officer for major and often high-profile planning applications and appeals.
• Project managing strategic development sites.
• Negotiating community benefits through Section 106 agreements and CIL.
• Providing expert planning advice to stakeholders and colleagues.
• Mentor and support colleagues, sharing your planning expertise across the service
• Investigating and responding to planning-related complaints and queries.

This is a role where your professional judgement, planning knowledge and experience will directly influence the future development of North Yorkshire.

Knowledge and Experience

• Degree, Post-Graduate Degree or master’s in planning or related subject
• Eligible for Membership of RTPI
• Evidence of working on major and complex cases.
• Able to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of planning legislation and regulations.
• Ability to organise workloads and manage time work to strict deadlines.
• The ability to work confidently within a political and stakeholder-rich environment.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or supervising planning colleagues.

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid working with flexible working practices and hours, supported by effective technologies that enable you to work remotely.
• A generous annual leave offer; 28 days of holiday (pro-rata), increasing to 34 days after 5 years’ service – plus public holidays.
• A generous pension through our Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Supportive team culture: Work alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.

Key Documents

Job Description.pdf

Total Rewards Brochure

Key Dates

Closing Date: Wednesday 18th November 2026

Interviews: 26th, 27th or 30th November 2026