Principal Planning Policy Officer

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary: £45,091 - £52,413 per annum (plus Market Supplement) * (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

We are looking for a Principal Planning Policy Officer to join our Strategic Planning Team and lead on a variety of planning policy matters.

If you share our values and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

Do you want to shape our communities and places in Babergh and Mid Suffolk for the better?

An exciting role has become available in the team that delivers the Local Plan for our districts. The councils adopted the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 Development Plan Document in November 2023 and are currently undertaking a Joint Local Plan Review under the new plan‑making system, which will plan ahead to 2045.

The Joint Local Plan Review will seek to address the challenge of increasing housing and employment needs together with the delivery of the associated infrastructure, whilst preserving what is unique about the districts.

We are looking for a collaborative and strategic‑minded individual to play a key role in the formulation of planning policy, including:

• major and strategic site allocation
• managing external consultants on the development of evidence base and appraisal
• provide expert planning policy advice
• mentor members of the team

There will be the need to work collaboratively across the two councils in supporting the development of strategies including infrastructure, as well as working closely with councillors, neighbouring local authorities, Suffolk County Council, and other infrastructure providers.

Engagement with the community and supporting the preparation of neighbourhood development plans are key aspects of the role.

The post will support the delivery of the councils' corporate objectives.

We are seeking a motivated planner who has appropriate knowledge and experience of the spatial planning policy system with the ability to analyse, interpret and present evidence and information succinctly to a variety of audiences.

• be educated to degree level in an appropriate discipline, with significant spatial planning policy experience, and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute is desirable
• have a thorough knowledge of Local Government practice and procedures
• be able to procure and manage external consultants and have a good understanding of the plan‑making process
• have effective communication skills and an ability to develop strong working relationships, together with project management and organisational skills
• have good IT skills and extensive experience with modern Microsoft products is expected

Now is an exciting time to join us, as we look to update and develop the software we use with innovative packages to present information in different ways.

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
• competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
• private Health Care Options
• electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• paid volunteering days
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
• great learning and development opportunities

For more information, visit our Employee Benefits…