Principal Planning Policy Officer in Weston-super-Mare

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Principal 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 completed the Pre-submission consultation at the end of 2025 with submission and examination this year. 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 and experienced principal planner to join the team to help take the plan through the last crucial stages of plan-making to adoption under the current system and take a lead role in future plan-making at a local and regional level going forward under the new system. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning policy officer to take a lead 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 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 leading on the delivery and implementation of these schemes working alongside colleagues across the council and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead, as the officer in charge, the preparation of planning policy and related guidance, including formulation of local plan policies, neighbourhood plans, supplementary 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 expert recommendations on issues of key importance.
• Brief Cabinet members on specialist policy areas and draft Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee reports and present if required to support senior colleagues.
• Prepare complex evidence base documents based on robust methodologies and well justified conclusions to support Local Plan 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 preparing and presenting 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.
• Scope, commission and project manage consultants to deliver relevant research and evidence to support policy formulation.

Qualifications

Essential Criteria:

• An RTPI-recognised degree level qualification in Town Planning or equivalent.
• Extensive experience of working within the planning profession, including experience relevant to planning policy.
• Thorough knowledge and practical experience of all relevant planning legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage/organise 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.

For further information about the role, please contact Claire Courtois, Planning Policy Assistant Manager at claire.courtois@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 42 6816.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.