Senior Local Plan Officer

Exmoor National Park; Dulverton; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous pension

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Exmoor National Park is seeking a Senior Local Plan Officer on a fixed-term contract for three years. The role is full-time, with part-time options considered.

The Senior Local Plan Officer will lead the Local Plan review, manage the timetable, draft policies and coordinate evidence studies to ensure a sound plan. You will liaise with authorities and communities, oversee consultations, and represent the Authority at examinations.

Qualifications

• Extensive understanding of planning process, legislation, policy and guidance.
• Excellent IT skills with mapping software like QGIS.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• RTPI recognised degree and postgraduate planning qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review and preparation of the Exmoor Local Plan.
• Manage the project timetable and oversee evidence and technical studies.
• Provide technical planning policy advice to colleagues and members.
• Engage with communities, councils and stakeholders.
• Represent the Authority at Local Plan Examination Hearings.

Skills

Planning policy

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Driving licence

Education

RTPI degree

Postgraduate planning diploma

Tools

QGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Exmoor National Park is a unique and beautiful part of the country. Our vision is that Exmoor remains a beautiful landscape, leading the response to climate change and nature recovery, a welcoming place for all, as well as a great place to live, work and do business.

We are now looking for a Senior Local Plan Officer to join us on a fixed-term contract for three years. This is a full-time role, although part-time working will also be considered.

The Benefits

• Salary of £37,280 - £41,771 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Paid sickness, parental and compassionate leave, plus time off for dependants
• Time off to attend medical appointments
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and a 24/7 confidential helpline

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced planning professional with extensive knowledge of planning policy and strong project management skills to join our purpose-led organisation.

You’ll have the chance to shape the future of one of the country’s most distinctive National Parks, supporting communities to thrive whilst protecting Exmoor’s landscape, nature and long‑term resilience.

What’s more, with flexible working options, a generous pension and strong wellbeing support, this is a fantastic role in which to make your mark.

So, if you’re ready to help shape Exmoor’s future and put your planning expertise behind a place that truly matters, read on and apply today.

The Role

As a Senior Local Plan Officer, you will help lead the review and preparation of the Exmoor National Park Local Plan, ensuring it meets legal requirements and key milestones.

Working closely with the Policy and Community Manager, you will manage the Local Plan project timetable, develop and draft planning policies, and oversee the evidence and technical studies needed to support a sound and effective plan.

You will provide technical planning policy advice to colleagues and Authority members while supporting consultation and engagement with communities, councils and other stakeholders.

Additionally, you will:

• Liaise with Development Management and specialist officers
• Engage with neighbouring planning authorities
• Support statutory consultation and community engagement
• Develop statements of common ground and memoranda of understanding
• Represent the Authority at Local Plan Examination Hearings

About You

To be considered as a Senior Local Plan Officer, you will need:

• An extensive understanding of the planning process, planning legislation, government policy and guidance and procedures
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office, planning software applications and mapping software, e.g. QGIS
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• A Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) recognised planning degree and postgraduate planning diploma or master’s degree
• Professional membership of the RTPI
• A full, valid driving licence

The closing date for this role is 7th September 2026.

Other organisations may call this role Senior Planning Policy Officer, Senior Policy Planner, Senior Planning Officer, Planning Policy Officer, Local Plan Officer, or Strategic Planning Officer.

Webrecruit and Exmoor National Park Authority are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.