Principal Planning Officer

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Keynsham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to join a dynamic Planning Policy Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the planning landscape in a vibrant area known for its rich heritage and natural beauty. You will be at the forefront of developing policies that respond to significant development pressures while addressing climate and ecological challenges. The ideal candidate will bring strong planning policy knowledge and experience, contributing to a supportive and high-performing team environment. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the community while advancing your career in a flexible and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in planning policy work and leading projects.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead on planning policy work and manage complex site issues.
• Coordinate the Planning Policy team's projects and initiatives.

Skills

Planning Policy Knowledge

Project Management

Team Coordination

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree in Planning or related field

Professional Planning Qualification

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council, we have one overriding purpose: to improve people’s lives.

This vacancy is Fixed Term with a provisional end date of 31st of March 2026.

About The Team

Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council is seeking to recruit a fixed term Principal Planning Officer within the Planning Policy Team on a fixed term contract (twelve months). This is a key post within the Planning Policy Team and as such we are only seeking applications from the very best candidates.

B&NES is a successful and diverse area containing not only the internationally renowned City of Bath which is a World Heritage Site but also an extensive area of Green Belt, two AONBs, numerous Conservation Areas, and an abundance of listed buildings and other heritage assets. All this makes the District a hugely attractive place to work, live, and visit.

About The Role

Given the government’s growth agenda, the District is subject to significant development pressure that needs to be carefully planned for and managed. The Council has also declared climate and ecological emergencies.

Within this context, the Council is currently undertaking a considerable amount of plan-making work, including preparing a new Local Plan and then working on a range of Supplementary Planning Documents. The current postholder plays a vital role in working on complex site and policy issues and in co-ordinating the team’s wider work. Therefore, the Planning Policy team is seeking to appoint a highly motivated, well-organised, and experienced Policy Planner as a Principal Planning Officer on a fixed term basis.

The post provides an opportunity to work within a high-performing Planning Policy team and to develop your career in a supportive working environment.

About You

The successful candidate needs to be a highly capable, enthusiastic, and qualified planner, with significant experience of taking a lead role in a range of planning policy work and strong planning policy knowledge and skills. Candidates need to be able to work effectively on their own initiative and within a positive team environment.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Richard Daone, Deputy Head of Planning Policy, [e-mail] or call 01225477546.

Interview date: 19/05/2025

No Agencies Please.

About Bath & North East Somerset Council

Working at Bath & North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath & North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to our website for more information.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

We are a Disability Confident Employer; find out more on our website.