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- Tasks: Examine local plans, assess evidence, and conduct hearings with communities.
- Company: The Planning Inspectorate, shaping communities across England.
- Benefits: Home-based role, flexible hours, competitive salary, and comprehensive training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while working from home.
- Qualifications: Chartered legal professionals with analytical skills are encouraged to apply.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy in your workload and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 65000 £ per year.
Multiple roles Home-based, England (with travel, expenses paid)
Salary: Band 2 £63,859 | Band 3 £77,741
The Planning Inspectorate
Contract Type: Permanent / Full-time or Part-time
Flexible Working: Yes
Legal expertise, planning impact
Your career has been built on rigorous analysis, sound judgment and clear reasoning. These skills are essential to examining local plans that shape communities across England. The Planning Inspectorate is recruiting Planning Inspectors for Local Plans – and legal professionals are central to this work.
What the role involves:
- Examining local plans for legal compliance and soundness
- Assessing complex evidence from multiple parties
- Conducting examination hearings with councils, developers and communities
- Writing legally robust, well-reasoned reports
What we offer:
- Home-based role with travel (all costs covered)
- Part-time options available (minimum 0.5 FTE)
- 28.97% employer pension contribution
- Comprehensive training in planning policy and procedures
- Intellectually demanding work with genuine public impact
Your questions answered:
I'm a solicitor/barrister, not a planner – can I apply? Yes. We're specifically seeking chartered legal professionals. Your analytical training and experience with complex statutory frameworks is highly relevant. We provide thorough training in planning-specific procedures.
Is this like tribunal work? There are similarities – you'll chair hearing sessions, manage evidence and reach reasoned conclusions. However, the examination process is more inquisitorial than adversarial, focused on testing whether plans meet legal and policy requirements.
What's the work-life balance like? Inspectors work primarily from home, with travel for hearings and training sessions that are scheduled in advance. Part-time contracts are available, and many inspectors value the autonomy to manage their own workload.
Ready for a new challenge? If you're motivated, inquisitive and can confidently manage challenging public events while producing clear, well-reasoned reports to tight deadlines, we want to hear from you.
Closing date for applications Sunday 22 February 2026.
Planning Inspector (Local Plans) employer: Planning Inspectorate
Contact Detail:
Planning Inspectorate Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Inspector (Local Plans)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the planning and legal sectors. Attend events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Planning Inspectorate and understand their role in shaping local plans. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! During interviews, be ready to discuss how your legal expertise can contribute to examining local plans. We want to hear about your experience with complex statutory frameworks and how you’ve tackled similar challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for motivated individuals who are ready to make a real impact in their communities. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Inspector (Local Plans)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your legal expertise and analytical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Planning Inspector, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant experiences!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-reasoned arguments, so make sure your points come across clearly.
Show Your Passion for Public Impact: Let us know why you’re interested in shaping communities through planning. Share any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to public service and how you can contribute to meaningful change in local plans.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can keep you updated throughout the process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Planning Inspectorate
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Brush up on your legal knowledge, especially around planning law and local plans. Be ready to discuss how your background as a solicitor or barrister applies to the role of Planning Inspector. This will show that you understand the complexities involved in examining local plans.
✨Prepare for Inquisitorial Style
Since the examination process is more inquisitorial than adversarial, practice how you would chair hearings and manage evidence. Think about how you can facilitate discussions among councils, developers, and communities while ensuring all voices are heard.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your analytical skills through examples from your past work. Discuss how you've assessed complex evidence and reached sound conclusions. This will highlight your ability to produce well-reasoned reports under pressure.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the training provided for planning-specific procedures or how inspectors balance their workload. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
