Principal Planner - New Settlements in Cambridge

• Location: Cambridge and Cambourne (expectation to work in the office 1-2 times per week)
• Duration: Initially 3 month contract with view to extend
• IR35: Inside
• An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced

Principal Planner to join a well-established local authority planning team on an initial 3-month contract, with the potential for extension.

This is a high-profile role supporting the delivery of major new settlements and strategic growth projects across the region.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in managing complex planning applications, leading stakeholder engagement, and supporting the delivery of large-scale residential and mixed-use developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the planning and delivery of major strategic growth projects and new settlements.
• Manage a varied caseload of complex planning applications and pre-application enquiries.
• Project manage applications associated with large-scale residential and mixed-use developments.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams and key stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
• Use Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) to manage projects effectively through all stages of the planning process.
• Work collaboratively with developers, housebuilders, statutory consultees, elected members, and local communities.
• Present reports and recommendations to planning committees, forums, and stakeholder groups.

Essential Requirements

To be considered for interview, candidates must possess

• Degree qualification or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in Town Planning.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel as required.
• Minimum of five years' post-qualification experience within a professional planning environment.
• Proven experience managing a range of planning applications and providing pre-application advice on major and complex development proposals.
• Required Experience

The ideal candidate will demonstrate

• Extensive experience dealing with major and complex development proposals, including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) developments.
• Proven experience project managing applications relating to strategic growth and large-scale development sites.
• Strong project management skills, including recent experience using Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).
• Commercial awareness and experience working closely with developers and housebuilders.
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting at committees and public forums.
• About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced planning professional with strong project management expertise for this influential role.

You will play a lead role in delivering major new settlement projects through a collaborative project team approach, with a strong focus on early engagement during the pre-application process.

The successful candidate will actively manage a varied portfolio of planning applications and contribute to the delivery of sustainable growth and new communities across the region.