We’re looking for a motivated and experienced Senior Planning Policy Officer to play a key role in shaping the future of Buckinghamshire. If you’re passionate about creating high‑quality places, influencing strategic planning, and delivering meaningful outcomes for local communities, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.
As a senior member of the Planning Policy team, you’ll lead on complex workstreams, contribute to the development of the Council’s Local Plan, and support a wide range of planning policy initiatives that help guide sustainable growth across the county.
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.
We are committed to delivering a high‑quality, customer‑focused planning function that supports the county’s needs now and in the future. We work collaboratively with communities, Members, internal colleagues, stakeholders, and partner organisations to prepare evidence‑based planning policies, develop statutory and non‑statutory policy documents, and ensure our Local Plans are robust, responsive, and aligned with national policy. We’re passionate about improvement, innovation, and delivering the best possible outcomes for the residents of Buckinghamshire.
About the role
As a Senior Planning Policy Officer, you’ll take a leading role in developing planning policy, preparing evidence, and supporting strategic planning activities across Buckinghamshire. You’ll work with minimal supervision, lead on specific projects, and represent the Council in a variety of internal and external settings.
Key responsibilities include:
* Contributing to the preparation of statutory Local Plans and the wider planning policy framework.
* Leading the production of non‑statutory planning guidance, including design guides and monitoring reports.
* Providing expert planning policy advice to internal teams, Members, stakeholders, and the public.
* Supporting and advising town and parish councils and neighbourhood forums on neighbourhood planning.
* Preparing and presenting evidence at planning appeals, public inquiries, and Local Plan examinations.
* Undertaking research, commissioning technical studies, and managing consultancy contracts and budgets.
* Coordinating and delivering public engagement activities and analysing consultation feedback.
* Preparing clear, high‑quality reports for senior officers and committees, and representing the Council at relevant meetings.
About you
You will have excellent interpersonal, persuasion, and negotiation skills with significant personal expertise and experience in Planning Policy, particularly in relation to local plans.
You will have a planning degree and full membership of RTPI (or be eligible for membership).
The planning policy team has an in‑person collaboration day every Wednesday alternating between the Walton Street offices in Aylesbury and Queen Victoria Road offices in High Wycombe. If working full‑time hours, it is also expected that the successful candidate will do a second office day a week; the location and day of this is down to the individual. For the remaining three days, home working is acceptable.
Legal & Equality
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
* All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions
Benefits
* a fair and inclusive culture
* the chance to really make a difference to those around you
* health and well‑being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
* a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
* ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
* opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events
We recognise and reward you
Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work‑life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.
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