This is an exciting time for Stevenage Borough Council, with its Local Plan having been adopted in 2019, its ambitious growth plans are starting to be realised.  A comprehensive town centre regeneration scheme is already underway, taking advantage of its ideal locational connections to London and the North via Thameslink, and new settlements on the edge of the town will soon become a reality.

We are looking for a Senior / Principal Planning Officer within the Planning Policy Team to take on the challenge of ensuring this growth can be delivered in an effective and sustainable way. The focus of these roles will be on commencing a review of our Local Plan, specialising in a wide range of planning policy topic areas such as employment, design and heritage and delivering the town’s active travel objectives by embedding sustainable transport into a wide range of corporate projects and objectives.

The successful applicants will be offered an excellent opportunity to take a leading role in producing and updating SPDs, and work on large-scale sites, including the town centre regeneration scheme, to promote our active travel objectives, alongside a wide range of other planning policy work.  They will take the lead on maintaining strong relationships with local transport partners and bodies, to promote the interests of the Borough Council.  This role also offers the opportunity to progress from senior to principal level as an applicant’s career progresses and experience in the field increases.

You will have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with members of the public, colleagues and members, to work effectively with stakeholders, and the ability to analyse and formulate robust and effective planning and transport policies.  Good written and oral communication skills are essential.

A full knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Acts, the Local Planning Regulations and allied legislation along with a Degree or equivalent recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and eligibility for RTPI Membership is an essential requirement of the role.

As a proactive local authority that is keen to deliver new homes and jobs as soon as possible for its residents, and a supportive and friendly working environment, Stevenage Borough Council is a great place to work.