Salary: £36,371 – £45,648 pa (dependent upon experience and qualifications)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Contract: Maternity Cover (FTC)

Base: Lewes and Eastbourne - Flexible

Want to work in a rich planning environment across two varied local authorities?

Curious about what the challenges are of planning for a district that has a National Park running through the middle of it? And planning for a coastal town?

Come work in a place that offers an interesting opportunity to plan for climate change, coastal erosion, and protection of our natural landscape with the challenges of having to meet our housing need, support our local communities and businesses.  

Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council have transformed to a joint Planning Policy service covering both Councils’ Local Planning Authority areas.

The team also undertakes the implementation of the two Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedules, and this post will lead on the implementation of CIL and Section 106 monitoring for both Councils. This includes overseeing the day to day processing of planning permissions for income collection and managing any CIL Regulation reviews and appeals. The role will play a key part in administrating the CIL governance for each council and includes holding responsibility for the CIL bidding process and spending arrangements.

As a Senior Planning Policy Officer, you will also be involved in research and development of policy and supplementary supporting documents. This incorporates expertise from a wide range of disciplines, and in compliance with statutory and corporate requirements and policy.

The work requires strong interpretive and analytical skills along with exemplary written and communication skills. As you’ll be working with Councillors, landowners, stake holders and colleagues experience of partnership working, stakeholder management, including public consultation and engagement are highly desirable.

With a stronger focus to improve the quality of the built environment to achieve a ‘green plan’ and on sustainability, biodiversity, design and place making, expertise in these is also highly desirable.                                                                                                                                   

Do you have:

• A recognised planning qualification or directly relevant experience working in a related role in a planning policy setting.
• An ability to turn around a high casework volume to agreed deadlines and proven experience in policy making and supporting complex community and corporate projects.
• Excellent communication skills, to include the ability to generate clear, concise reporting concerning complex or controversial issues, to share complex specialist information with generalist audiences and to act as a positive ambassador for the two authorities.
• MRTPI or eligibility for MRTPI

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits on offer including:

• A flexible working environment, meaning you can work effectively at home or in the office.
• An excellent work/life balance
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Childcare vouchers

For more information about the role including details on how to apply, please click on the Apply.

The closing date: Noon on 06 June 2022