Principal Planner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Skipton; Hybrid; GBP 47,181 - 51,356; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

28 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Supportive team culture

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council in Skipton, North Yorkshire seeks an experienced Principal Planning Officer to manage major planning applications and guide strategic development. You will influence decisions impacting communities, economy and environment, with a strong emphasis on professional planning advice and mentoring colleagues.

The role offers hybrid working, flexibility, a generous leave arrangement and a supportive team culture within a local government planning service.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation and regulations.
• Ability to organise workloads and manage time to strict deadlines.
• Confidence in working within a political and stakeholder‑rich environment.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or supervising planning colleagues.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Act as case officer for major and often high‑profile planning applications and appeals.
• Project manage strategic development sites.
• Negotiate community benefits through Section 106 agreements and CIL.
• Provide expert planning advice to stakeholders and colleagues.
• Mentor and support colleagues, sharing your planning expertise across the service.
• Investigate and respond to planning‑related complaints and queries.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Time management

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Education

Degree / Masters in planning

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.

We have office locations across several areas of the region and are looking for individuals based in each of these locations. In the East, our offices are located in Scarborough, Malton and Northallerton. In the West, we have offices in Richmond, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate. For the South, our offices are based in Harrogate and Selby. We are keen to hear from candidates in all of these areas. If you have any questions, please contact John Worthington, Development Service Manager on [e-mail]. Please note you do not need to apply multiple times; if you are interested in working in multiple locations please put a note of this on your application form.

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.
• Act as case officer for major and often high‑profile planning applications and appeals.
• Project manage strategic development sites.
• Negotiate community benefits through Section 106 agreements and CIL.
• Provide expert planning advice to stakeholders and colleagues.
• Mentor and support colleagues, sharing your planning expertise across the service.
• Investigate and respond to planning‑related complaints and queries.

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.
• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation and regulations.
• Ability to organise workloads and manage time to strict deadlines.
• Confidence in working 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.
• Generous annual leave offer; 28 days of holiday (pro‑rated), increasing to 34 days after 5 years’ service – plus public holidays.
• Generous pension through our Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Supportive team culture: Work alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative, forward‑thinking environment.

Contact and Apply

Take the next step in your career and help shape the future of North Yorkshire’s communities. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact John Worthington, Development Service Manager on [e-mail] or Nick Turpin, Development Service Manager on [e-mail].

Company: North Yorkshire Council

Salary: £47,181 – £51,356

Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire

Sector: Regeneration and Local Economies

Sector: Built Environment

Sector: Planning

Job Role: Planner