Local Plans – Team Leader

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To support the Group Leader – Plans, Policies and Place Making in managing the preparation, implementation, monitoring and review of the Council’s statutory Local Development Framework and associated planning policy documents, ensuring the effective delivery of the Council’s vision for sustainable growth and development.

The postholder will lead the Local Plans Team, manage complex planning policy projects, coordinate evidence-based plan making activities, and provide expert planning policy advice to the Council, stakeholders and the wider community. The role will ensure the Council remains compliant with planning legislation and national policy requirements while driving high-quality place-making outcomes across the Borough.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Group Leader – Plans, Policies and Place Making in the preparation, review and implementation of the Council’s statutory Local Development Framework and associated planning policy documents.
  
• Lead and manage the Local Plans Team, ensuring effective service delivery and achievement of performance targets.
  
• Provide supervision, guidance and support to team members undertaking complex planning policy and place-making projects.
  
• Project manage major, strategic and complex planning policy initiatives and plan-making activities.
  
• Coordinate the implementation of adopted development plan policies and supplementary planning guidance.
  
• Provide planning policy advice on planning applications, development proposals and pre-application enquiries.
  
• Develop and maintain planning policies, standards, guidance notes and supplementary planning documents.
  
• Prepare responses to consultations, government policy changes, legislation updates and planning reforms.
  
• Liaise with internal departments, neighbouring authorities, government agencies, county councils, town and parish councils, and other stakeholders.
  
• Prepare and present reports, committee reports, briefing papers and policy recommendations to Members, Committees and Project Boards.
  
• Represent the Council as an expert witness at:
  • Public Inquiries
    
  • Examinations in Public
    
  • Planning Hearings
    
  • Appeal Proceedings
    
  • Consultation Events
    
• Coordinate and manage evidence base studies, research projects and planning policy investigations.
  
• Manage the collection, analysis and interpretation of planning, demographic, housing, employment and environmental data.
  
• Develop and maintain research databases, information systems and monitoring frameworks.
  
• Manage consultants commissioned to undertake specialist planning policy and evidence-based work.
  
• Monitor planning legislation, policy changes and emerging best practice to inform future plan-making activities.
  
• Undertake stakeholder engagement, public consultation exercises, exhibitions and presentations.
  
• Manage service budgets and externally commissioned work where appropriate.
  
• Support workforce development through coaching, mentoring, performance management and training.
  
• Ensure compliance with planning legislation, information governance requirements and Council policies.
  
• Contribute to wider Planning and Regeneration Service objectives and support related service functions where required.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Degree qualification in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Regeneration or a related discipline.
  
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or eligibility for membership.
  
• Significant experience within Planning Policy, Local Plans, Strategic Planning or Regeneration.
  
• Experience managing or supervising professional planning staff.
  
• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Local Plan preparation
    
  • Planning Policy Frameworks
    
  • Planning Legislation
    
  • Development Plan Processes
    
  • Spatial Planning
    
  • Sustainable Development Principles
    
• Experience managing complex planning policy projects and evidence base studies.
  
• Experience preparing committee reports, technical reports and policy documents.
  
• Experience presenting information to elected members, stakeholders and public forums.
  
• Experience acting as an expert witness or supporting planning examinations and inquiries.
  
• Strong project management and programme coordination skills.
  
• Excellent analytical, research and report-writing abilities.
  
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership working skills.
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work to demanding deadlines.
  

Desirable

• Master's Degree in Planning, Regeneration or related discipline.
  
• Chartered Town Planner status.
  
• Experience managing consultants and externally funded projects.
  
• Experience working within a Local Authority Planning Policy team.
  
• Knowledge of housing, regeneration, economic development and infrastructure planning.
  
• Budget management experience.
  
• GIS or planning data analysis experience.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Hybrid Working (1 Day Office / 4 Days Home Working)
  
• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments