Principal Planning Officer (Majors)

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an experienced Principal Planning Officer to lead a varied caseload of major and complex planning applications. You will secure PPAs, negotiate planning obligations, and collaborate with developers, agents and communities to deliver high-quality outcomes.

You will represent the Council at appeals and inquiries, advise elected members, and mentor junior staff while supporting service improvement and performance in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience handling major or complex planning applications.
• Strong understanding of planning policy and development processes.
• Highly organised with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and elected members.

Responsibilities

• Lead on a varied caseload of major and complex planning applications.
• Secure and lead Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).
• Negotiate S106 agreements and planning obligations.
• Collaborate with developers, agents, stakeholders and local communities.
• Represent the Council at appeals, hearings and inquiries.
• Advise elected members and committees; mentor junior colleagues.
• Contribute to service improvement and performance.

Skills

Major development management

Major and complex planning

Planning policy & process

Project leadership

Negotiation & persuasion

Stakeholder engagement

Appeals/hearings/inquiries

Team mentoring

Education

RTPI membership eligibility

Job description

If you’re ambitious and experienced in dealing with major development, join our established and evolving team of experienced Major Development Management officers and lead the delivery of some of the most significant and transformative development proposals in Buckinghamshire.

Working on an exciting mix of complex and varied schemes, you'll collaborate across our wider majors and planning teams, accelerating your professional development and broadening your expertise, while shaping the places and communities of the future.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is one of England’s “Big-8” Councils, delivering services across a diverse area to the west of London.

With our Regulation 19 consultation on the Buckinghamshire Local Plan underway, we are building a planning team capable of delivering one of the most ambitious growth agendas in the country while maintaining the highest standards of design, placemaking and sustainability.

Our Major Development Management team is driving an exciting range of major development proposals, from the ambitious regeneration of our key towns, new settlements and strategic urban extensions to employment, data centre and energy schemes. Working collaboratively with applicants, agents and stakeholders, we secure the best outcomes for Buckinghamshire's communities.

Based in High Wycombe, you'll benefit from excellent transport connections, including direct rail services to London Marylebone, easy access to the M40, and strong links across the South East, while enjoying the outstanding natural environment of the Chilterns National Landscape.

About the role

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will lead on a varied caseload of major and complex planning applications, managing proposals from early engagement through to delivery of development on the ground, and beyond.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and determining major and complex planning applications
• Securing and leading Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs)
• Negotiating S106 agreements and planning obligations
• Working proactively with developers, agents, stakeholders and local communities
• Representing the Council at appeals, hearings and inquiries
• Advising elected members and committees
• Supporting and mentoring junior colleagues
• Contributing to service improvement and performance

A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.

About you

You will be an experienced planning professional with a track record of managing major and complex development proposals and building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Whether you're currently working in local government, consultancy or the development sector, you'll proactively seek solutions and take ownership of projects, balance competing priorities, work to challenging deadlines and deliver high-quality outcomes.

You will bring:

• Experience of handling major or complex planning applications
• A strong understanding of planning policy and the development process
• Highly organised working practices, with strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Confidence working with a range of stakeholders, including applicants and elected members
• Eligibility for (or membership of) the RTPI

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working (minimum 2 days office-based)
• Exceptional experience of interesting, complex and high-profile development proposals
• The opportunity to take ownership of projects and shape great places for the communities of Buckinghamshire
• The opportunity to influence how planning services evolve in one of England's largest councils
• The support of an experienced, knowledgeable and ambitious team
• Ongoing professional development and clear progression opportunities
• Flexible working to support your work-life balance

Other information

Office base: Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe

For an informal discussion, either on-line or in person, contact: Charles Power – 01494 421513 or email [emailprotected]

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.