Principal Planning Officer

Wiltshire Council; Trowbridge; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Wiltshire Council is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to lead the delivery of Wiltshire's planning framework and the Local Plan. The role requires substantial experience in strategic planning and team leadership to drive complex projects on housing, employment, renewable energy and minerals and waste matters.

You will hold a planning undergraduate degree with RTPI accreditation and engage with communities and political/management stakeholders while advancing a sustainable development agenda

Qualifications

• Extensive planning experience leading teams on complex projects.
• RTPI-accredited degree and significant post-qualification experience.
• Experience appearing as an expert witness at planning appeals or examination-in-public.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of Wiltshire Local Plan topics (employment, housing, renewable energy, minerals and waste).
• Coordinate and deliver an up-to-date planning framework for Wiltshire.
• Engage with communities and stakeholders at political and management levels.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Planning degree

RTPI accreditation

Job description

Salary: £46,142 - £48,226 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours

Interview date: To be confirmed following shortlisting

Rolling advert: We are continuously reviewing and interviewing applicants weekly for this job posting. We will stop accepting applications when sufficient applications have been received.

Our Strategic Planning service drives the council’s planning framework which aims to make sustainable development a reality in one of the country’s largest local planning authorities. We are responsible for development plans which aim to deliver sustainable development throughout the county, helping to raise prosperity, regenerate our town centres, boost business and make Wiltshire an even better place to call home.

Our main planning projects are delivering the new Wiltshire Local Plan (incorporating minerals and waste matters), supporting our communities to produce Neighbourhood Plans, and measuring the performance of our development plans.

As an established unitary authority, we can offer the following opportunity to develop your knowledge of planning and shape the future of a thriving county with so much to offer.

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will play a leading role in coordinating and delivering an up-to-date planning framework for Wiltshire. You will need extensive experience as a planning professional who can lead teams to deliver complex projects in the new Wiltshire Local Plan on key topics such as employment, housing, renewable energy, and minerals and waste matters. Your creativity and project management skills to support appropriate and sustainable development in Wiltshire will be key, as will the ability to engage with communities and stakeholders including at a political and management level.

Our ideal candidate will hold a planning related undergraduate degree and higher qualification accredited by the RTPI, together with significant post-qualification experience working on strategic planning policy matters, including evidence gathering and preparation of local plans. Experience of appearing as an expert witness at planning appeals, or in an examination-in-public will also be required.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details

Christopher Roe, Planning Manager (Strategic), [e-mail], 01225 713 979.

Application criteria

We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

Disability Confident Employer

Application process

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.