Planning Policy Officer

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

We are seeking a dedicated Planning Policy Officer to join our Planning Policy Team. North Somerset Council is at a key stage in the preparation of our new Local Plan having now submitted the plan for examination in May 2026. The new Local Plan will bring forward homes, jobs, community facilities and infrastructure to meet our needs while protecting a high-quality natural environment.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive, highly motivated planner to join the team to help take the plan through its examination to adoption under the current system and take a key role in future plan-making at a local and sub-regional level going forward under the new system. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a career as a planning policy officer to take a key role in a friendly and supportive team working across a range of projects to help us plan for the future of the district. North Somerset faces significant development pressures in a constrained area which includes Green Belt, Mendip Hills National Landscape, extensive areas of land vulnerable to flooding and other sensitive environments. Our challenges are wide ranging and as a result there will be plenty of opportunity to work on a variety of issues and schemes.

The new Local Plan identifies four strategic growth locations, and the role will involve input into the delivery and implementation of these schemes working alongside colleagues across the council and external stakeholders. We are looking for someone who has experience in the preparation of local plans and other planning documents, including helping to write policies and identify site options, researching and preparation of evidence, and liaising with other service areas in the Council. As part of this role you will support engagement with a range of stakeholders including statutory consultees and agencies, Town and Parish Councils, local communities, and the development industry. You will have a sound understanding of plan making legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework.

To be successful in this role you must have ambition to deliver exceptional places, have a positive approach to challenges, problem solving, and the ability to use your initiative, be able to innovate and seek creative solutions to planning for new homes and jobs and securing the delivery of infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake the preparation of planning policy and related guidance, including formulation of local plan policies, neighbourhood plans, guidance, development briefs, design guidance, and associated evidence gathering and engagement.
• Produce briefing information, policy advice and reports on complex and/or contentious policy issues to appropriate individuals and bodies at all levels of the council's governance arrangements and to members, external organisations, developers / applicants, and public meetings as required.
• Make recommendations on issues of key importance.
• Brief Cabinet members on specialist policy areas and draft Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee reports, supporting senior colleagues to present at meetings.
• Prepare evidence base documents based on robust methodologies and well justified conclusions to support plan making, policies and allocations.
• Liaise and co‑ordinate work activities with other services across the council and external agencies including statutory consultees and government departments.
• Ensure robust and inclusive community engagement, give advice and assistance to the public and other customers as and when necessary, and represent the Planning Service at public meetings and consultation events.
• Represent the Council by supporting in the preparation and presentation of expert and professional evidence at public inquiries, examinations and hearings.
• Provide policy and strategic planning advice to the Development Management service.
• Maintain a thorough, up-to-date knowledge of relevant planning policies, planning law, working practices and procedures and consider their implications for North Somerset.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way: Work both from home and the office. While this position is based in the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare, we operate a hybrid working environment. Most of the team predominantly work from home however, we currently attend the office as a team once a week, or more frequently depending on the task at hand. Training is provided to help balance work‑life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in‑office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about planning and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria

• An RTPI-recognised degree level qualification in Town Planning or equivalent.
• Some experience of working within the planning profession, including experience relevant to planning policy.
• Knowledge and practical experience of planning legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently with own workload to meet agreed deadlines and balance competing priorities.
• Ability to prepare & present information/evidence clearly and confidently both in writing and verbally.

Desirable Criteria

• Eligible for Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Experience of giving evidence at public inquiries, examinations and/or hearings.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in-house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.