Planning / Senior Planning / Principal Planning Officers

Contractual hours: 37 Package: 18 month Fixed Term Contract A 15% Market Factor supplement applies to Senior and Principal level roles and will remain in place until July 2028, when it will be reviewed., We are seeking highly motivated, adaptable Policy Planners, Senior Policy Planners and Principal Policy Planners to join the Planning Policy and Strategy team at Greater Cambridge Shared Planning service. You will contribute to a range of different projects linked to finalising the Greater Cambridge Local Plan and its supporting evidence base, using your planning knowledge and experience to help progress the plan through its independent examination, expected to commence in early 2027. We tackle a wide range of ambitious projects, covering pressing urban, rural, environmental and economic challenges. We are dedicated to reducing inequality and impacts on climate, preserving the unique character of our area and enabling nature to thrive. Our ambitious Local Plan has been designed to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our region, from addressing water scarcity and managing unprecedented economic development, to the development of major transport infrastructure and enhancing nature and accessible green infrastructure. We also have clear environmental ambitions and have undertaken pioneering work on climate change and meeting net zero carbon to inform our policy development. We also work across a range of other projects, including enabling the delivery of neighbourhood plans across the area, and responding on behalf of the Councils to relevant planning consultations, including on national planning policies and other development plans in the wider sub-region. The Local Plan, the team's top priority, covers an exciting range of new developments, from new settlements in South Cambridgeshire to urban extensions to Cambridge, taking advantage of strategic opportunities to meet our continuing significant need for jobs and homes in the area. For example, continuing to support existing strategic development projects at Waterbeach (11,000 homes) and Northstowe (10,000 homes) new towns, shaping new settlement proposals at Cambourne North (13,000 homes) and Grange Farm (4,500 homes) and influencing urban extension developments such as the innovative University of Cambridge development at Eddington (5,500 homes), a new urban quarter at Cambridge East (8,000 homes) and meeting the planning needs of Europe's most important biotechnology cluster at Cambridge Biomedical Campus. You will be joining a team that is focused on steering the Plan successfully through examination towards adoption., As a Senior Policy Planner, you will contribute to the sound day-to-day management of a range of different workstreams, commissioning work with confidence and managing and supporting team members, empowering them to deliver successful projects whilst maximising their professional development. You will be expected to lead on preparing written statements for inquiries and be able to communicate key information confidently, clearly and succinctly at oral hearings. In addition to all the above, as a Principal Policy Planner you will be confident in managing more complex projects and broader programmes of work, forming strong partnership working relationships with key stakeholders including statutory consultees and other local authorities. We are particularly interested to hear from candidates with experience of appearing at and supporting local plan examinations or inquiries, as this will be a key priority for the team in 2027. South Cambridgeshire District Council is a four-day week employer. We expect our colleagues to get 100% of their work done, in around 85% of their contracted hours, for 100% of their pay. All Council staff will be able to opt-in to this way of working under a Productivity Policy. We are a four-day week employer as it helps us attract and keep talented colleagues and improves services by reducing our reliance on costly agency workers. It also supports improved health and wellbeing. Want to find out more?

• If you have any questions, please contact Max Laverack, Planning Policy and Strategy Team Leader (max.
  
  As a Planner, you will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills and knowledge in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The role provides an unparalleled opportunity to work on some of the most innovative developments in the UK with a group of experienced, supportive and dedicated colleagues, delivering high-quality outputs at pace.