Principal Planning Officer in Milton Keynes

Two full-time positions: one permanent role and one 1-year fixed-term.

Salary: £48,226 - £52,413 (includes a £4,000 per annum market supplement until March 2027, subject to review).

Working Hours: 37

Location: Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Closing Date: 05/07/2026

Job Category: Planning

Service Area: Planning and Placemaking - Planning

Package Description:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years.
• Holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

Job Introduction:

We’re recruiting a Principal Planning Officer to join our Development Management service at Milton Keynes City Council. This is a rewarding role where your professional judgement will help shape how Milton Keynes continues to grow as a modern, inclusive city.

You’ll be part of a service that plays a key role in balancing growth with high quality places. Through the assessment of detailed development proposals, your work will help secure affordable housing, infrastructure and wider community benefits. Your decisions will consider social, environmental and economic impacts, supporting sustainable development across the city. You’ll work on significant planning applications that directly support the delivery of Plan: MK and the emerging Milton Keynes City Plan. Alongside experienced colleagues, you’ll help ensure development proposals contribute positively to Milton Keynes as a great place to live and work.

This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home‑based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site.

Interviews for this role will be held on 15th July 2026.

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of large scale and complex planning applications and pre‑application enquiries.
• Provide clear, balanced planning advice to councillors, colleagues, developers and local communities.
• Lead on planning appeals, representing the council at hearings and inquiries when required.
• Negotiate planning obligations, including contributions towards affordable housing and infrastructure.
• Prepare and present well‑reasoned reports to Planning Committee and other meetings, and make robust and well‑considered delegated decisions.
• Support and guide colleagues, helping maintain consistent and high‑quality decision making across the service, including line management responsibilities.

Ideal Candidate:

• Extensive knowledge of town planning legislation, policy and decision making, as well as proposed planning reforms.
• A degree in planning or a related subject and a postgraduate Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited planning qualification.
• Chartered membership of the RTPI.
• Experience managing complex planning cases and working to competing deadlines.
• Confidence in clearly communicating by writing and in person, including in formal settings.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to support and mentor colleagues.

About The Organisation:

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.