Planning Policy Lead

We seek a Planning Policy lead for a public sector organisation to provide senior-level planning expertise to deliver the client planning functions in a customer-focused and solutions-led way creating the right conditions for accelerating high-quality development and supporting sustainable growth.

The Planning Policy Lead will manage, develop and deliver all aspects of statutory planning policy including planning for transformational strategic projects of a sub-regional scale, the wide Local Plan, Infrastructure delivery plans, Neighbourhood Plans, Statements of Community Involvement, Supplementary Planning Documents and a Local Development Scheme, and to lead other Corporate projects, including decision making that will impact on the built environment for decades to come.

The Planning Policy Lead will provide justification and monitoring of Planning policy and guidance, including the management and control of all resources required to undertake the projects and to prepare and present appropriate recommendations to policy-making bodies, examinations, appeals and tribunals.

The Planning Policy Lead will support the Chief Planning Officer (and deputise when required) to unlock planning barriers to support key regeneration projects, transform the town centre and support the council’s emerging new ways of localities working.

Knowledge & Experience

Candidates must have substantial knowledge and experience in the following areas of business and will be required to provide evidence of this:

• Proven and demonstratable ability of developing and implementing progressive planning policy to achieve successful outcomes within a Local Authority environment or private planning practice of the functions covered by the role.
• A thorough knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy and guidance with an ability to apply this practically and progressively to deliver tangible planning gains.
• Experience in leading the preparation and review of key elements of Development Plans including the development of planning policy, and the management and delivery of key projects at a senior level.
• Experience in managing and delivering complex projects.
• Experience in defending planning policy at Examinations, Appeals and other tribunals.
• Experience in partnership working and developing synergies within the organisation.
• Experience in joint working with the community, businesses and other public \ private sector agencies.
• Must understand how planning operates within the wider corporate sphere of a Local Planning Authority and have the ability to recognise benefits beyond pure planning outcomes.
• Experience in supporting decision-makers, including Councillors statutory consultees and strategic partner organisations to achieve positive outcomes
• Experience in working with existing, new and emerging statutes and using statutory processes innovatively to deliver proactive and good growth outcomes for our residents
• Experience of contract management and major scheme delivery in a development context

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification with relevant recent experience addressing the requirements of the role. (Postgraduate MA or Diploma in Town Planning is desirable)
• Membership (or eligibility for membership) of the RTPI