Principal Planning Officer

Triumph Consultants Ltd; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to support a major solar farm application in Doncaster. This hybrid role focuses on managing a major application while providing specialist planning advice. Candidates should have a degree-level qualification in planning and experience in Local Authority planning policies. The position offers flexible hours and the opportunity for contract extension based on project needs.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangement

Flexible hours

Supportive team environment

Opportunity on a nationally significant project

Qualifications

• Actively working towards RTPI membership is acceptable.
• Experience supervising or managing staff.
• Local Authority experience with major applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide planning advice across Development Management.
• Manage caseload of major planning applications.
• Lead on policy development and contribution to Local Plans.
• Prepare and advise on CIL/s106 policy.
• Undertake pre-application discussions with developers.
• Act as expert witness for planning appeals.
• Support planning enforcement processes.
• Represent Planning Services Management Team.

Skills

Planning Policy and Development Management

Strong written and verbal communication

Evidence preparation for appeals

Staff or project management

Education

Degree-level planning qualification

Full RTPI membership

Job description

Principal Planning Officer

Reference: 000A 8FD1 / 1
Salary: £38.13 per hour PAYE
Role length: 6-month initial assignment
Job type: Full-time, Temporary
Location: Doncaster
Postcode: DN1 3BU
Hours: 37 hours per week (approx. 3 days a week, workload may vary)
Contract Type: Temporary (Hybrid)

The role

Our client is seeking an experienced Principal Planning Officer to support the Regeneration & Environment Directorate in delivering a major National Infrastructure Project—a large‑scale solar farm application. This role is focused on managing and progressing one major application, supporting policy development, and providing specialist planning advice. Workload will fluctuate, with intense periods of activity followed by quieter phases. This is a hybrid position based in Doncaster.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, effective planning advice across Development Management and Planning Policy.
• Manage your own caseload of major planning applications in line with the Council’s scheme of delegation.
• Lead on statutory and non‑statutory policy development, including evidence gathering, data analysis, and contributions to Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan work.
• Prepare and advise on CIL/s106 policy and implementation.
• Undertake pre‑application discussions with developers to clarify requirements and improve proposals.
• Act as the Council’s expert witness for planning appeals, enforcement appeals, and examinations in public.
• Support planning enforcement processes where required.
• Represent and support the Planning Services Management Team.

What the client is looking for

• Degree‑level planning qualification (or equivalent).
• Full RTPI membership or clear evidence of actively working towards it.
• Local Authority experience in Planning Policy and/or Development Management, particularly with major applications.
• Experience preparing and presenting evidence for appeals or Local Plan examinations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce complex planning reports.
• Experience supervising or managing staff or projects.
• Solar farm planning experience or being involved in national significance infrastructure projects or development consent orders.

Desirable

• National Infrastructure Project experience
• Experience with solar farm applications or renewable energy development
• Ability to manage fluctuating workloads

What the client offers

• Hybrid working arrangement
• Flexible hours (approx. 3 days per week; may increase or decrease as needed)
• Opportunity to work on a nationally significant planning project
• Supportive Planning Services team
• Contract extension potential depending on project funding and milestones

How to Apply

Please submit your CV as soon as possible for consideration. If you do not hear from us within three working days, unfortunately your application has not been shortlisted. Thank you for your interest in working with us.