Senior Planning Policy Officer

This is a Full Time, Fixed Term position for 2 years due to funding (any extension dependant on securing further funding). Are you an experienced planning professional looking to help shape the future of Hull? We are seeking a motivated Senior Planning Policy Officer to join our Planning Service and play a key role in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the new Hull Local Plan. The role also provides a unique opportunity to help deliver an innovative programme that supports the creation of active, healthy and inclusive environments across Hull.

Working with colleagues across Planning, Public Health, Transport and partner organisations, you will lead on planning policy projects, develop evidence-based policy, undertake research and engagement activities, and provide expert planning advice. Your work will help ensure that future development supports sustainable growth, creates high-quality places, and contributes to improving health, wellbeing and active lifestyles across the city.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the planning system, excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future growth and development of Hull, supporting the delivery of thriving, healthy and sustainable communities while working within a supportive and forward-thinking team.

ROLE AND PURPOSE

The post holder will lead on a range of planning policy matters, which are required for the delivery of the Hull Local Plan with significant emphasis on creating active environments and ensuring Active Design principles are embedded in future planning decisions. The post holder will focus on building relationships with internal and external partners (including local planning authorities, public health and the active partnership), to design a strategic vision and contribute to the development of workable planning policies, considering all sources of relevant evidence including best practice, data and intelligence.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Customer Focus – The post holder will work with national, regional, and sub-regional government and strategic bodies to inform the planning process, including advising officers and members on national and regional policy developments and contributing to the consultations on behalf of the residents of Hull in relation to active environments.
• Performance Management – Researches and evaluates trends and background information in formulating realistic planning policy options and choices and recommends solutions on wide ranging matters affecting the long-term future of the City.
• Statutory Obligations – Lead on relevant sections of the development of Hull’s new Local Plan, particularly in relation to opportunities to create active environments-write and develop needs led and evidenced based policies.
• Building common purpose around Public Health and Planning through expanding a partnership approach, within the Local Authority, wider stakeholders and the Active Hull Partnership.
• Provision of a constructive input to guide developers towards the highest quality development and place making.
• Advising on the potential health impacts of a range of planning activities and workstreams including planning applications, planning policies, regeneration initiatives and associated projects and programmes.
• Developing and influencing planning policy and guidance to ensure that significant weight is attached to place planning for creating active, healthy and inclusive design.
• Attending pre-application/planning application meetings with developers and their design and planning teams together with the Council’s project team when required.
• Influencing and contributing to the design and masterplanning of developments to ensure that maximum opportunities are exploited to increase physical activity levels.
• Providing leadership, advice and challenge to integrate public health considerations into the planning process.
• Lead on up-skilling Officers and Members to deliver positive change through the spatial planning process.
• Ensure that the necessary guidance and other resources are available to developers and planning applicants to secure healthy and inclusive design.
• The post holder may be called upon to provide expert advice at Planning Committee, public inquiries and hearings.
• Actively engaging with the broader Active Hull system and its governance structures, whilst contributing to the wider Hull place-based partnership agenda.

The above principal accountabilities are not exhaustive and may vary without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility.

Benefits of Working of Hull City Council:

• A competitive salary
• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service, plus eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off
• Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
• Supportive and forward-thinking culture
• Great career development opportunities

We are committed to increasing the diversity, equality, and inclusion within our workforce to represent the people we serve and build an environment in which everyone can feel like they belong. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.