Principal Planning Officer Solar Farms - Local Authority

Reed; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A local authority in Doncaster seeks a Principal Planning Officer to manage significant applications for solar farms. The ideal candidate will have a degree in planning, experience with local authorities, and strong report-writing skills. This part-time role offers competitive pay and flexible working arrangements on impactful national infrastructure projects.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in planning or equivalent.
• Experience dealing with major planning applications.
• Track record in preparing evidence at appeals.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist planning advice on solar farm projects.
• Manage a caseload of planning applications.
• Engage in discussions with developers to refine proposals.

Skills

Planning qualification to degree level

Proven local authority experience

Ability to write and present reports

Experience in supervision or management

Specific experience with solar farms

Education

Full membership of the RTPI

Job description

Principal Planning Officer (Solar Farms)

• Job Type: Part-time (3 days per week, flexible to increase based on workload)
• Location: Doncaster / Hybrid
• Salary: Competitive, based on experience

We are seeking a Principal Planning Officer with expertise in planning and development management at Principal Planner level, ideally with experience in national infrastructure projects (ideally solar farms). This role is crucial for managing a significant application for a solar farm, with the potential for contract extension depending on project needs and funding availability.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Provide specialist planning advice and handle major planning applications, focusing primarily on a solar farm project.
• Manage your own caseload, determining planning applications and other matters in line with the Council’s approved scheme of delegation.
• Develop and implement statutory and non-statutory policies and strategies, including all aspects of statutory planning policy.
• Prepare and advise on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 matters.
• Engage in pre-application discussions and negotiations with developers to refine proposals and ensure compliance with planning policies.
• Act as the Council’s expert witness in planning/enforcement appeals or examinations in public.
• Support and advise on the planning enforcement process and represent the Planning Services Management Team as required.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Planning qualification to degree level (or equivalent) and full membership of the RTPI (or evidence of working towards full membership).
• Proven local authority experience in Policy Planning, dealing with major planning applications, and preparing evidence at appeals or examinations.
• Strong ability to write and present clear reports and evidence on complex planning matters.
• Experience in some level of supervision or management.
• Specific experience with solar farms is highly desirable.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on significant national infrastructure projects.
• Professional development opportunities in a supportive environment.

To apply for the Principal Planning Officer position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and specific interest in solar farm projects