Principal Planning Policy Officer (Local Planning)

Many planners never get to start a Local Plan from a blank page. We are about to. Chichester is preparing a brand-new Local Plan under the reformed plan-making system. It will decide where new homes, jobs and infrastructure go across one of the most beautiful, and most pressured, parts of the south coast. We want more planners to help make sure it is a success.

Contractual hours: 37 Package: 31 days paid AL pro rata for part time staff, Flexi Scheme available for most positions, Excellent contributory pension scheme, Cycle to work, Health & Wellness checks, Store discounts, gym membership discount, Our plan area runs from the harbours and coastline of the Chichester Harbour National Landscape and the Manhood Peninsula, around a Roman and cathedral city, and north beyond the South Downs to the Surrey border. Strong demand for housing, protected landscapes and wildlife, water quality and a changing coast mean the questions here are real, and the answers matter. Planning is changing faster than it has for a generation, with a new National Planning Policy Framework, a new way of making plans and new strategic spatial development strategies. Local government in Sussex is changing too. With devolved powers comes exciting opportunities to influence at the strategic level and provide the infrastructure to deliver the required growth. You lead. You will own whole workstreams of the new Local Plan, from evidence to examination: commissioning and steering consultants, drafting policy, taking reports to Cabinet and our Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel, and standing behind the plan as the Council's witness at examination. You will put the Council's voice to our neighbours' plans and strategies, and you will manage and develop our Planning Policy Officers and Senior Planning Policy Officer. You will be a qualified planner, eligible for RTPI membership, with a real track record in policy: drafting policies, dealing with representations and preparing examination statements, ideally with examination or inquiry experience behind you. You are confident with councillors, credible with developers and consultants, and you enjoy building a team as much as building an argument. The post is open to job share applicants, and hybrid working is available. For an informal discussion please contact Claire Potts on or Employee benefits include:

• Excellent defined benefits Pension Scheme
• Minimum 26 days holiday going up to 31 days after 5 years (or before with previous service) plus paid Bank Holidays - 31 days from day one at Grade G
• Flexi-time (available for most positions) - potential to build up an extra 13 days leave a year
• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and 9-day fortnight options
• Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their relatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme/Car and Cycle Loan Scheme/discounted city centre parking/ Lease Car Scheme
• Health & Wellbeing initiatives including free health checks and free eye tests plus subsidised leisure centre membership
• Payment of your main professional subscription fee
• Training and development opportunities - including funding of professional qualification training
• Staff Awards Scheme
Chichester District Council has a commitment to Equality of Opportunity in Employment. If you have a disability which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form please contact the HR team to assist you.