Principal Planning Policy Officer

Government of The United Kingdom; Goadby Marwood; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

RTPI support

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Melton Borough Council is seeking an exceptional planning policy professional to join the Planning Policy team. The role suits a Senior Planning Policy Officer or Principal Planner looking for greater influence and responsibility, with the Local Plan Update advancing through Examination and towards a sound, deliverable plan.

We offer flexible, hybrid working arrangements, RTPI and professional development support, and a generous leave entitlement as part of a supportive authority.

Qualifications

• Experience of planning policy work within local government or related environment.
• Understanding of plan-making, planning legislation and the wider planning system.
• Experience of preparing reports, policy documents and technical evidence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence to engage with councillors, stakeholders, communities and senior managers.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Senior/Principal appointments: examinations, public inquiries, hearings or strategic policy projects experience would be attractive.

Responsibilities

• Support the progression of the Local Plan Update through Examination and adoption.
• Preparing policy documents, reports, evidence studies and consultation material.
• Working alongside members, senior officers, developers, infrastructure providers, statutory consultees and neighbouring authorities.
• Presenting evidence at examinations, hearings, inquiries and public meetings.
• Managing planning policy projects and consultant commissions.
• Helping to shape the borough's long-term growth strategy and planning framework.
• Working on a wide range of planning policy, housing, economic development, infrastructure and place-making issues.
• For Principal level, provide leadership within the team, support and mentor colleagues and deputise for senior managers where appropriate.

Skills

Planning policy experience

Policy documents

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Job description

We're delivering significant growth, planning for new communities, supporting investment and infrastructure, and progressing our Local Plan Update through Examination. As we move towards the next stage of the process, we're looking for an exceptional planning professional to join our experienced and supportive Planning Policy team. Whether you're an established Senior Planning Policy Officer looking for your next challenge, or an experienced Principal Planner seeking greater influence and responsibility, we'd love to hear from you. The successful candidate will join us at an exciting time, helping to steer the Local Plan Update beyond the hearings in September and supporting the Council's journey towards adopting a sound and deliverable plan for the future. This role offers a genuine opportunity to influence strategic planning decisions and leave a lasting legacy on the future development of the borough.

What you'll be doing

• Supporting the progression of the Local Plan Update through Examination and adoption.
• Preparing policy documents, reports, evidence studies and consultation material.
• Working alongside members, senior officers, developers, infrastructure providers, statutory consultees and neighbouring authorities.
• Presenting evidence at examinations, hearings, inquiries and public meetings.
• Managing planning policy projects and consultant commissions.
• Helping to shape the borough's long-term growth strategy and planning framework.
• Working on a wide range of planning policy, housing, economic development, infrastructure and place-making issues.

For candidates appointed at Principal level, there will also be opportunities to provide leadership within the team, support and mentor colleagues and deputise for senior managers where appropriate.

We're looking for a talented planning professional who can combine technical expertise with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

You will ideally have:

• Experience of planning policy work within local government or a related environment.
• A strong understanding of plan-making, planning legislation and the wider planning system.
• Experience of preparing reports, policy documents and technical evidence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to engage with councillors, stakeholders, communities and senior managers.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.

For Senior and Principal appointments, experience of examinations, public inquiries, hearings or strategic policy projects would be particularly attractive.

Why join Melton?

This is more than a planning policy role. It's an opportunity to help shape the future of one of the most distinctive boroughs in the East Midlands while developing your career within an ambitious and supportive authority.

• A genuine career-grade structure with opportunities for progression.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• RTPI and professional development support.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• A supportive and collaborative planning service.
• The chance to play a leading role in the delivery of a Local Plan at a critical stage of its journey.