Team Leader – Local Plans – AR

Team Leader – Local Plans

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Team Leader – Local Plans to lead the preparation, implementation and review of the council’s statutory Local Plan and associated planning policies. The successful candidate will support the delivery of the council’s vision for sustainable development, ensuring planning policies meet legislative requirements and support the borough’s long-term development needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and review of the council’s statutory Local Plan and related planning policies, standards and guidance.
• Manage and supervise the Local Plans team, providing guidance and support on complex planning policy matters.
• Advise on planning applications, pre-application enquiries and the implementation of adopted development plan policies.
• Monitor changes in planning legislation, national policy and government guidance, advising the council on their implications.
• Prepare reports and present planning policy matters to council committees and project boards.
• Prepare evidence and represent the council at public inquiries, Local Plan examinations and other public hearings.
• Liaise with councillors, neighbouring local authorities, county councils, parish councils, government bodies and external agencies.
• Oversee research, surveys and data collection to support Local Plan preparation and review.
• Commission and manage external consultants supporting planning policy and Local Plan work.
• Support staff development, monitor performance and ensure the effective delivery of service objectives.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Significant experience in planning policy and Local Plan preparation or review.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, national planning policy and local development frameworks.
• Experience managing, supervising or leading planning policy staff.
• Experience preparing technical reports, evidence and policy documents.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects, competing priorities and statutory deadlines.
• Experience representing a local authority at planning examinations or public inquiries is highly desirable.

Additional Information

The role may occasionally require work outside normal office hours. The postholder may also be required to support other planning functions, including Development Management, Planning Enforcement and Building Control, depending on service requirements.

The successful candidate will help ensure the council delivers effective, evidence-based planning policies that support sustainable development across the borough.