At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.
About the Team
Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council is seeking to recruit a Principal Planning Officer within the Planning Policy Team on a fixed term contract (twenty-four months). This is a key post within the Planning Policy Team and we are seeking applications from the very best candidates.
B&NES is a highly successful and diverse area containing international and national heritage and environmental assets, as well as an extensive area of Green Belt. It is a hugely attractive place to work, live and visit.
Given the government’s growth agenda and important economic role as part of the wider West of England sub-region the area is subject to significant development pressure that needs to be carefully planned for and managed. B&NES is part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) area. WECA has commenced work on preparing a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) to plan strategically for significant longer-term growth. B&NES will be closely involved in preparing the SDS and will also need to prepare a new-style Local Plan.
We are seeking to recruit a highly organised professional with significant strategic planning experience to co-ordinate B&NES input into the preparation of the WECA SDS. The successful candidate will play a vital role in representing B&NES in discussions and working with the WECA and our neighbouring local authorities. You will need to be highly motivated, a strong communicator and with a proven track record of collaborating with stakeholders and achieving key milestones.
The post provides an opportunity to work with colleagues across the sub-region within a high performing B&NES Planning Policy team and to further develop your career in a supportive working environment.
About the Role
To ensure that development proposals are in line with legislation, regulations, national and local planning and Council policies, so that the Council can deliver on its objectives across Development Management, Plan Making and Planning Enforcement disciplines. The role holder, as a technical leader, will provide specialist advice and information to the Council on all issues relating to Plan Making and the production of a sound Development Plan.
The Principal Officer Role Profile attached to this advert also covers the equivalent role in Development Management please note it is the Policy related elements of the Role Profile that apply to this post.
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This role may manage a small team and provide supervision and mentoring to more junior colleagues and apprentices. The post holder will be expected to deputise for the relevant Team Managers as necessary.
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This role does not manage any direct budgets.
Accountabilities
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Appraise and make recommendations on complex, contentious, and controversial planning applications and cases against the Local Plan, regulations, and legislative frameworks, to ensure that applications are compliant with requirements and Bath and North East Somerset’s needs.
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Provide written statements and Proofs of Evidence and represent the Council at Examinations in Public and associated hearings as an expert witness.
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Respond to the most complex enquiries from the public, Members, applicants, and all other stakeholders to deliver timely and constructive advice and information and attend public meetings as appropriate.
- Provide specialist planning related advice and guidance to enable all customers and interested parties to submit development applications that will be aligned to the Development Plan requirements, meaning they are more likely to be approved whilst also supporting the sustainable growth of Bath and North East Somerset. This includes providing expert pre-application advice on major development proposals, and assessing the robustness of ensuing assessments, plus related technical studies and documentation with input from relevant internal and external consultees.
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Represent the Council in appeals, hearings and inquiries, acting as an expert witness, to defend the Council’s decisions on applications This will include providing written statements and proofs of evidence at associated hearings.
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Present applications to the Planning Committee and occasionally act as lead officer to enable effective decision-making by the Committee and take decisions to sign-off applications in accordance with delegated authority.
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Negotiate and project manage major or complex planning and development proposals, engaging with internal and external partners to ensure that the Development Plan objectives, are achieved using section 106 agreements and planning conditions as necessary.
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Conduct initial enquiries into alleged breaches of planning control, and provide assistance to planning enforcement, to ensure compliance with the Council’s planning decisions and policies.
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Provide guidance, advice, and support to Planning Officers to ensure an appropriate and effective Council planning service is delivered to the required standard.
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Contribute to the preparation of Article 4 Directions, Local Development Orders feeding back on what works and what doesn’t to ensure that planning policies can be applied successfully and improved.
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Provide expert professional advice and formulate planning policy on complex and significant issues. Coordinate the preparation, progression and review of statutory development plan and related policy documents and their sustainability appraisals to ensure the provision of an approved, sound and up to date planning policy framework.
- Direct and conduct public consultations in line with Council policies to ensure that all parties affected by potential development can provide comment and appropriate input. This could also include conducting events to promote that Council’s policies and proposals and ensure the effective public participation in, and understanding of, those plans.
About You
The successful candidate needs to be a highly capable, proactive and qualified professional, with significant experience of project managing and taking a lead role in strategic planning.
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Degree in Planning or related subject or equivalent experience.
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Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or equivalent.
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Substantial experience of managing complex cases in planning and development management.
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Substantial experience in acting as an expert witness and senior planning expert in controversial cases or complex issues at Development Plan Examinations.
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Experience of presenting complex and contentious planning applications to the Planning Committee.
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Thorough knowledge of planning policy activity and enforcement policies and processes.
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Thorough knowledge of the Development Plan for Bath and North East Somerset.
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Thorough knowledge of planning legislation such as Town and Country Planning Act, and governmental planning framework.
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Ability to translate complex information, provide professional advice and guidance, and to present information to a range of stakeholders in a clear manner.
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Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with applicants, objectors, interested parties and consultees, and negotiate to achieve desired outcomes.
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Ability to manage a case load of complex planning applications and appeals.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Richard Daone, Deputy Head of Planning (Policy) email: [email protected] or call 01225477546. Please note that all applications must be made via the online system.
Interview date: 10/08/2026
No Agencies Please.
- Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
Please note: that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
