Principal Planning Officer (Strategic Planning)

Maidstone Borough Council is a progressive and pro-active local authority with strong ambitions for Kent's County Town and surrounding countryside. This is an exciting opportunity for a planner wishing to grow their strategic planning experience. Maidstone offers a unique opportunity to work on major planning, development and investment projects. We work on a varied canvas - bringing forward significant, high-quality growth with associated infrastructure, whilst enhancing our significant local landscapes, heritage and identity. To help plan proactively, Maidstone Borough's Local Plan Review was adopted in March 2024 and we are now commencing production of a new Local Plan, as well as bringing forward Article 4 Directions, new strategies for Heritage and Maidstone Town Centre, and assisting with several Neighbourhood Plans. The role will therefore provide excellent experience for an enthusiastic team player and self-motivated individual within a dynamic environment. We will accept applications from those seeking a full or part-time role for this permanent post and offer a flexible working environment.

To be considered for the Principal Planning Officer role, your education and training will include:

• Degree in Town Planning or Post Graduate qualification in Town Planning
• Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Consideration will be given to other relevant professional accreditation holders e.g. RICS/RIBA subject to relevant experience
• Full Driving Licence
Your experience will include:
• Extensive experience of dealing with complex and sensitive planning issues and preparation of policies and guidance
• Ability to assess and evaluate large quantities of often complex and sometimes conflicting information and data and then find creative solutions and formulate strategic policy and proposals
Additionally, you will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high-quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans. We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision, and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued, and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well. At Maidstone Borough Council, we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such, we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work-life balance., Maidstone is a place with a lot going on. With an investment budget of £6 million and provision for regeneration projects of £1.8 million this year the Council is committed to ambitious regeneration and development of the borough - protecting the unique character of our historic urban centres and stunning rural settings, while encouraging and supporting responsible and sustainable economic growth.


• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities, with some office working for the purposes of specific meetings or team working
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years' LG service, plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave
• Additional 3 days' leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people's home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, and part-time
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role