Local Planning Team Leader

Local Planning / Planning Policy Manager

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the preparation, implementation and review of the Council’s Local Plan and wider planning policy framework, supporting sustainable development and the Council’s strategic objectives. The role provides specialist planning policy advice, manages complex and strategic planning matters, and ensures the effective delivery of the Local Plans service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, review and implementation of the Council’s Local Plan and planning policy framework.
• Manage complex and strategic planning policy issues, ensuring compliance with planning legislation, national policy and Council objectives.
• Lead and support the Local Plans team, providing management, supervision, guidance and staff development.
• Provide planning policy advice on major and complex planning applications, pre-application enquiries and development proposals.
• Coordinate planning research, evidence gathering, surveys and information systems to support Local Plan preparation.
• Prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for Council committees, project boards, senior officers and elected members.
• Represent the Council at Local Plan examinations, public inquiries and planning hearings, including providing expert planning evidence where required.
• Manage consultation and engagement with residents, developers, landowners, neighbouring authorities, Town and Parish Councils, statutory consultees and other stakeholders.
• Respond to planning policies, consultations, legislation and guidance produced by government departments, neighbouring authorities and other organisations.
• Commission and manage external planning consultants and specialist technical work supporting the Local Plan and associated policies.
• Ensure adopted planning policies and supplementary guidance are effectively implemented through development management and wider planning activity.
• Support the development of team members through effective supervision, training and performance management.
• Work collaboratively across Planning, Regeneration, Development Management, Planning Enforcement and Building Control where required.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have substantial experience in planning policy, Local Plan preparation and strategic/spatial planning, ideally within a local authority or public-sector environment. They should have strong knowledge of UK planning legislation and national planning policy, with experience managing complex planning projects, preparing evidence and reports, engaging with stakeholders and contributing to planning examinations or public inquiries.

Experience of managing planning teams, consultants, strategic development projects and multidisciplinary workstreams would be highly desirable, together with strong communication, report-writing, analytical and project-management skills.

Key Experience / Keywords

Local Plans | Planning Policy | Strategic Planning | Spatial Planning | Development Plans | Planning Legislation | National Planning Policy | Local Plan Examinations | Public Inquiries | Planning Applications | Evidence Base | Housing Land Supply | Strategic Sites | Stakeholder Engagement | Community Consultation | Planning Project Management | Consultant Management | Council Reports | Member Briefings | Duty to Cooperate | Development Management | Regeneration