Principal Planner; Rail

Position: Principal Planner (Rail)
Location: Buckinghamshire

Overview Are you ready to play a key role in shaping one of the nation’s most ambitious infrastructure projects? Buckinghamshire is at the epicentre of the HS2 transformation, and we’re expanding our dynamic in-house HS2 Planning Team creating an exciting opportunity for a talented Principal Planner (Rail) to make a real difference. With the HS2 railway line’s construction in full swing across Buckinghamshire, there is a continual stream of planning consents to engage with, evaluate, and conclude.

As part of the Infrastructure and Major Projects Service within the Planning, Growth, and Sustainability Directorate, our HS2 Planning Team fulfils critical statutory duties as a Qualifying Authority under Schedule 17 of the HS2 Act guiding submissions from initial discussions right through to final decisions. In this pivotal role, you’ll collaborate with expert colleagues, connect with external agencies and Council Members, and engage directly with HS2 Ltd and the main works contractors delivering the project.

As a Principal Planner (Rail), you’ll be at the heart of decision-making helping to ensure that the design, delivery, and impacts of this landmark project are thoughtfully considered every step of the way.

Contract:

1 year fixed term contract (with potential to be extended)

About us Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

About the role

This role offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your planning and development management skills as you lead the Schedule 17 - HS2 Act consenting process that covers more than 60 km of HS2 railway in Buckinghamshire. Whilst this role solely relates to HS2 planning consents, the wider team are involved with other key infrastructure projects, such as the Heathrow Expansion and East West Rail.

Supporting the HS2 Planning Team and working closely with the Planning (Rail) Team Leader, the Principal Planner (Rail) will manage a complex caseload of planning work related to HS2 design proposals. You’ll work collaboratively, and in a timely manner, as you deal proactively with HS2 proposals from the pre-application stage to the determination of applications. You will be adept at dealing with major infrastructure design proposals, the technical planning issues involved and the need to liaise with the community, interested parties, and Council Members.

The role will involve working with other technical disciplines across the planning service, and in other parts of the Council.

The right candidate will be versatile and astute in understanding technical design elements and resolving clarifications and issues to conclude the determination of submissions received. Working within the dedicated HS2 Planning Team and the Planning (Rail) Team Leader, you’ll steer a dynamic and challenging caseload of HS2 applications, each one integral to the design and delivery of HS2 across Buckinghamshire. Your proactive approach and commitment to collaboration will ensure that every relevant design detail is given careful consideration.

Key accountabilities:

Leading on Schedule 17 pre-applications negotiations to secure the best mitigation within the framework of the HS2 Act controls, and as set-out in the Environment Statement, the Environment

Minimum Requirements , and other associated guidance. With the focus of securing good design and preserving impacted areas from avoidable harm. Processing the range of formal HS2 applications received, Schedule 17, Schedule 16, and those submitted as per the Town and Country Planning Act and the Transport Works Act Order, communicating any technical concerns and requesting any further details to facilitate the conclusion and determination of submissions.

To support the Planning (Rail) Team Leader in delivering a planning service that meets the Council’s statutory requirements as set out in…