Principal Planning Officer (Development Management)

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; Greater Lincolnshire; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council in South Kesteven is looking for a Principal Planning Officer to manage planning applications and mentor staff. This role involves working on exciting projects like major development schemes and ensuring design quality. Candidates should be qualified town planners with significant experience in development management, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement. They will start with a competitive salary of £46,548-£52,119 per annum and enjoy various benefits including flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Generous annual leave

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Opportunities for career development

Low-cost health care plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Regular well-being activities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in development management, including dealing with planning appeals.
• Experience in preparing reports and presenting applications to Planning Committees.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and contribute to service evolution.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and determine a range of planning applications.
• Work on major development schemes including a Garden Village.
• Shape the evolution of the planning service.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Excellent communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Passionate about design quality

Sustainability awareness

Education

Qualified town planner or related qualification

Job description

Principal Planning Officer (Development Management)

SK17 to SK20

(£46,548- £52,119 per annum)

It’s an exciting time to join South Kesteven District Council. The Government’s growth agenda provides the context for an interesting and varied caseload within our development management team. Alongside this, we are preparing a new Local Plan that will help shape our District until 2043 – delivering the homes, jobs and infrastructure that our residents need.

With our nationally recognised Design PAD service, and as one of only ten local authority awarded funding through the MHCLG Design Code Pathfinder Programme, we are proud to be at the forefront of design excellence and placemaking in the UK.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly ambitious, skilled and motivated planner who would like to join our planning team in this newly created role within our successful Planning Service.

You will play a key role in evaluating and determining a wide range of planning applications, including some exciting projects. There is a pipeline of major development schemes including a Garden Village, redevelopment of an existing Barracks site, and significant renewable energy and NSIP proposals, which provide opportunities to develop your professional skills and experience.

You will also help to shape the evolution of our service and play a critical role in mentoring colleagues as part of our “grow your own” ethos.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will:

• Be a qualified town planner (or hold a related qualification)
• You will have significant experience of development management including dealing with planning appeals.
• Have experience of preparing reports and appeal statements and presenting applications to Planning Committee
• You will be a strong negotiator
• Possess excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Be passionate about design quality, sustainability, and community engagement

This role would suit someone who thrives in a strategic, fast-paced environment and wants to help create beautiful, functional, and inclusive places.

If you’re looking to join a team that makes a difference every single day, your perfect career could be waiting for you at South Kesteven District Council.

Why Work for South Kesteven?

South Kesteven is a district rich in history, opportunity and potential. It is home to the first designated Conservation Area in England, innovative entrepreneurs, a base for global businesses, and boasts excellent local schools—all set within an attractive, rural landscape ideally located in the heart of England. Our vision is to make South Kesteven the best place to live, work, and visit — and we know that by working together, we can achieve that. People are at the heart of what we do here at SKDC. We deliver more than 100 services across the district so there’s no limit to where your career can take you. We value our employees and we offer a range of benefits that really make a difference, for everyone.

At South Kesteven, we can offer:

• Flexible, hybrid working arrangements to help you live a balanced lifestyle that works for you
• A generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days, increasing with length of service
• Access to the generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Opportunities for career and self-development
• Low-cost health care plan
• A Cycle to Work scheme
• Regular well-being activitiesMISSION?