Senior Planning Policy Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Towcester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a planning policy professional for a 3-month contract with a Local Authority in West Northamptonshire. The role focuses on preparing and implementing planning policy, developing robust policies, and supporting statutory requirements.

You will lead evidence base work (SLAA, site assessments, IDP) and engage with developers, landowners, stakeholders, and communities to progress the Local Plan. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Significant experience working within planning policy, spatial planning, or local plan preparation.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to or leading the delivery of Local Plans and supporting evidence base documents.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, national planning policy, and planning legislation.
• Experience preparing and presenting technical reports, policy documents, and consultation materials.
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work independently to meet deadlines.
• Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Experience with Strategic Land Availability Assessments (SLAA), site assessment methodologies, and Infrastructure Delivery Plans.
• Experience supporting Local Plan examinations and public consultations.
• Previous local authority planning policy experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the preparation, review, and delivery of the West Northamptonshire Local Plan.
• Manage and contribute to the development of key evidence base documents, including the SLAA, Site Selection assessments, and IDP.
• Undertake planning policy research, analysis, and assessment to inform policy development and strategic decision-making.
• Prepare reports, policy documents, consultation materials, and committee reports as required.
• Coordinate and manage stakeholder engagement activities, including consultations with developers, landowners, statutory consultees, local communities, and other partners.
• Assess development proposals and emerging planning issues against local and national planning policy.
• Support plan-making processes, including examinations, public consultations, and evidence gathering exercises.
• Monitor planning policy performance and contribute to the maintenance of relevant planning data and monitoring frameworks.
• Provide professional planning advice to internal departments, elected members, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant planning legislation, national policy, and best practice guidance.

Skills

Planning policy

Local Plan delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Policy research

Analytical skills

Communication

RTPI eligibility

Project management

Site assessment

Education

Degree in Town Planning

Tools

GIS

Job description

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To play a key role in the preparation, delivery, and implementation of planning policy for West Northamptonshire, supporting the progression of the Local Plan and associated evidence base. The postholder will provide professional planning expertise to ensure the development of robust planning policies that support sustainable growth and meet statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the preparation, review, and delivery of the West Northamptonshire Local Plan.
• Manage and contribute to the development of key evidence base documents, including the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA), Site Selection assessments, and Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP).
• Undertake planning policy research, analysis, and assessment to inform policy development and strategic decision-making.
• Prepare reports, policy documents, consultation materials, and committee reports as required.
• Coordinate and manage stakeholder engagement activities, including consultations with developers, landowners, statutory consultees, local communities, and other partners.
• Assess development proposals and emerging planning issues against local and national planning policy.
• Support plan-making processes, including examinations, public consultations, and evidence gathering exercises.
• Monitor planning policy performance and contribute to the maintenance of relevant planning data and monitoring frameworks.
• Provide professional planning advice to internal departments, elected members, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant planning legislation, national policy, and best practice guidance.

Requirements

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Significant experience working within planning policy, spatial planning, or local plan preparation.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to or leading the delivery of Local Plans and supporting evidence base documents.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, national planning policy, and planning legislation.
• Experience preparing and presenting technical reports, policy documents, and consultation materials.
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work independently to meet deadlines.
• Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Experience with Strategic Land Availability Assessments (SLAA), site assessment methodologies, and Infrastructure Delivery Plans.
• Experience supporting Local Plan examinations and public consultations.
• Previous local authority planning policy experience.

Additional Information

• Location: The Forum, Towcester
• Working Arrangement: Hybrid working available, with home working for up to 3 days per week, subject to business needs and meeting requirements