Prinicpal Planning Policy Officer

Carrington West; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority is seeking a Principal Planning Policy Officer for a 6-month rolling contract. The role will lead the development of the Local Plan and ensure sound strategic preparation. Candidates should have experience in local plan processes and procurement management. This position offers flexible working arrangements with home working available. Pay rate is £55-£60 per hour depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience of direct involvement in a local plan through critical consultation stages.
• Detailed knowledge of local plan evidence areas (housing, employment, green belt).
• Front table experience at planning hearings and public inquiries.
• Understanding of programme and project management including technical evidence work.
• Detailed understanding of financial and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Lead in delivering the new local plan service contract.
• Deputise for the Planning Policy Team Leader/Manager.
• Prepare and draft the spatial strategy and planning policies.
• Engage regularly with senior officers and lead members.

Skills

Plan making

Plan evidence

Examination in Public

Programme and project management

Procurement and contracts

Leadership and management

Education

Post-graduate degree in planning or related discipline

Job description

Carrington West are assisting their local authority client based in the Home Counties in the search for a Principal Planning Policy Officer on a 6-month rolling contract.

The role will contribute to the preparation and production of the Regulation 18 version of the Local Plan, following on the role will take part in rapidly progressing the emerging Plan to further consultation under Regulation 19. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in an exciting plan-making process that will have a lasting positive place-making impact.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead role in driving forward and delivering our new single supplier local plan service contract delivering plan evidence and supporting services.
• Strong knowledge of Plan-making with the ability to deputise for the Planning Policy Team Leader/Manager.
• Leadership on the preparation and drafting of the spatial strategy, planning policies and site allocations.
• Ensuring the Local Plan moves forward at pace and is soundly structured, underpinned by robust evidence with justified and effective policies and easy to understand material.
• Regular engagement with senior officers and lead members on plan directions and key decisions.

Experience and Skills

• Plan making – Experience of direct involvement in a local plan through to a critical consultation stage (Regulation 18 / 19) and ideally through the whole plan-making process.
• Plan evidence – detailed knowledge of key areas of local plan evidence (housing, employment and green belt for example) and impact studies including sustainability appraisals, local infrastructure plans and viability.
• Examination in Public – Front table experience at examination in public or planning hearings and public inquiries.
• Programme and project management – Detailed understanding of programme and project management including technical evidence work.
• Procurement and contracts – Detailed understanding of procurement, project contracts, financial and resource management.
• Leadership and management strengths – Ability to work as part of a diverse team and work with other to deliver quality results on time.

Experience in a similar position is necessary. It would be beneficial to hold a Post-graduate degree in planning, regeneration or a related discipline, and have the eligibility for membership of RTPI.

The council are looking for candidates who will be able to hit the ground running and are offering flexible working arrangements with home working provided.

Carrington West Pay Rate – £55-£60 per hour (Depending on experience)

Job Ref – 62764

Please call Cameron de Wit on 02393 876014 for a confidential discussion on this role, or email myself or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:

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Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis and all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior or in a location that is unsuitable, but you are keen on options, please still feel free to apply and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you.