Senior Planning Officer

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; Leyburn; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is seeking a Senior Planning Officer to join their team. You will be responsible for managing diverse planning applications while ensuring sustainable development within one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. Ideal candidates should have a keen interest in environmental conservation, design skills, and a positive problem-solving attitude. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and various wellbeing benefits.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension Scheme

Subsidised Healthcare scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Staff discounts

Free parking

Relocation allowance available

Qualifications

• Experience in development control work.
• Good understanding of legislative and policy frameworks.
• Negotiation of S.106 agreements experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of planning applications.
• Negotiate positive design solutions.
• Provide professional planning advice and present recommendations.

Skills

Sustainable development

Design skills

Problem solving

Education

Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

Job description

Senior Planning Officer
Are you an experienced planner who’s passionate about sustainable development, good design, and protecting natural beauty? This is a unique opportunity to apply your skills in a role that genuinely makes a difference.
As part of our Development Management team, you’ll help shape one of the UK’s most cherished landscapes - where every decision counts.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park has some of the most stunning scenery in Britain. As the planning authority, we support our communities and businesses to grow sustainably which preserving the landscape’s special qualities.
This Senior Planning Officer vacancy has arisen due to a team member moving on - now we’re looking for a new colleague to join our dedicated and friendly team.
About Us
We are the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, an environmental organisation that protects, enhances and promotes the landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales. The Dales are famous for pastoral valleys, with distinctive stone barns and walls, crags and waterfalls, rugged heather moorland and historic villages.
Planning is the best tool we have for conserving this environment for the Nation.
But our work is also about delivering well designed housing and business development in a sustainable way. If you have design skills, a positive attitude to problem solving and you care about nature recovery, climate change and sustainable development then this might be the job for you.
The role is full-time (37 hours), permanent and based at our Bainbridge office near Leyburn, with some blended home and office working.
The Benefits
Salary: £36,124 - £40,475 per annum + £2,000 market supplement Generous leave: 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays Flexible working arrangements: including flexi-time Pension scheme: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Wellbeing benefits: Subsidised Healthcare scheme, cycle to work scheme and staff discounts Free parking Relocation allowance available The Role
You’ll be working in a friendly team of planners responsible for delivering an efficient and effective development management service for half of the National Park.
Responsible for conserving the special qualities of this outstanding place, whilst delivering the housing and economic development necessary to sustain thriving communities. You will negotiate positive design solutions, provide professional advice on a broad spectrum of planning issues, manage applications efficiently and present your recommendations clearly.
Reporting to the Principal Planning Officer, you will:
Manage a varied caseload Handle applications and appeals in line with our procedures and practices Present clear recommendations to the Planning Committee Give evidence at public inquiries and hearings
About You
You will already have experience of development control work and a good understanding of the legislative, procedural and policy framework within which the planning system operates and the requirements for negotiating S.106 agreements.
You will be a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or working towards accreditation.
Access to a car or access to a means of mobility support to meet the travel demands of the post (if driving must have a current valid driving licence and appropriate business insurance) is essential.
Join Our Team!
We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria.
For an informal conversation about the role, contact Katherine Wood, Principal Planning Officer, on 01969 652357 or [e-mail]
Closing date: 11pm on Sunday 29 June 2025.
Anticipated interview date: Monday 7 July 2025.