Planning Inspector

Job summary

Are you a Rights of Way, Common Land, Coastal Access or land‑use professional looking to take the next step in your career?

Do you enjoy assessing detailed evidence, engaging constructively with others, and making well‑reasoned decisions that have a real impact?

The Planning Inspectorate is recruiting Inspectors across three levels (Bands 1–3) to join our Rights of Way & Common Land Service. The team plays an important role at a national level, helping to protect public access, resolve long‑standing cases, and support the management and enjoyment of England’s landscapes.

Working with a wide range of stakeholders—including local authorities, landowners, user groups and members of the public—you’ll contribute to clear, impartial outcomes that support communities and maintain confidence in the planning and access system.

If you’re motivated by independent decision‑making, public service and work that makes a tangible difference, this could be the right opportunity for you.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

We are looking for Inspectors at Bands 1, 2 and 3, offering development opportunities and progression across levels.

You will determine Rights of Way Orders, Commons Act applications, and Coastal Access objections through written representations, hearings, or inquiries. You’ll review and analyse complex documentary and oral evidence, conduct site visits across England, and produce clear, authoritative and well‑reasoned decisions.

Every day, you’ll:

• review evidence and case files to identify key issues
• draft fair, balanced, rational decisions in line with legislation, case law and guidance
• manage hearings or inquiries (virtual or in‑person)
• engage confidently with the public, stakeholders and professionals
• work independently from home while being supported by a national team
• contribute to continuous improvement and uphold PINS’ core values: openness, fairness, impartiality and customer focus

At higher bands (2 and 3), you’ll also mentor colleagues, support training, lead complex cases, and contribute to organisational development.

Success in this role means delivering timely, high‑quality decisions, managing casework confidently, and demonstrating sound judgement, empathy, and professionalism throughout all interactions.

Role types and Salary details

There are a number of roles available at different grades and employment types:

1 × Band 1 Inspector (In Training → Full Band 1)

• Starting salary: £48,775 (In Training)
• Milestone salary: £50,988 (on reaching training milestone)
• Full Band 1 salary: £57,893 (on completing training)

1 × Band 2 Inspector

• Salary: £63,859

1 x Band 3 Inspector

• Salary: £77,741

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours. Compressed hours, term-time only, rotational patterns (e.g 6 weeks on / 6 weeks off) available. Part-time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria (Band 1/2/3 combined)

(Band 1/2/3 combined)

• Substantial or extensive experience (commensurate with band) in Rights of Way, Common Land, Coastal Access or a closely related land‑use/environment profession.
• Membership of a relevant professional body. (See list within candidate pack)
• Demonstrable capability to analyse complex and sometimes contradictory evidence and identify key issues quickly.
• Strong written skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, well‑reasoned and evidence based decisions.
• Excellent time and workload management skills; able to deliver work within set timescales.

Band 2:

• Degree level qualification and membership of a relevant professional body (See list within candidate pack)
• Good working knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, guidance and procedures across planning and/or land use disciplines.
• Demonstrable capability of dealing effectively with the demands, priorities and decision making requirements typical of Band 2 casework.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development, including learning new areas of work quickly and maintaining professional competence.

Band 3:

• Degree level qualification and full or chartered membership of a relevant professional body. (See list within candidate pack)
• In depth and wide ranging knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, guidance and procedures across planning and/or land‑use professions.
• Demonstrable capability of managing complex, sensitive and high profile Band 3 casework and reach clear, well‑supported outcomes.
• Strong track record of professional development, including identifying training needs, keeping skills up to date, and contributing to professional standards.

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Memberships

Membership of a relevant professional body. See candidate pack for list of relevant Bodies and please confirm which body/membership in your personal statement.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Demonstrable capability to analyse complex and sometimes contradictory evidence and identify key issues quickly.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,775, Planning Inspectorate contributes £14,130 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.

• An Experience Statement (250 words max): This statement should give examples of the related work experience that matches our requirements.

• A Personal Statement (1,000 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert and connect your answers to the Success Profile elements we're looking for.

• Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test: As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a verbal reasoning test. This assessment is designed to evaluate your ability to understand and interpret written information accurately and make logical conclusions. It forms an important part of the selection process and helps us ensure fairness and consistency for all applicants.

If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.

• Demonstrable capability to analyse complex and sometimes contradictory evidence and identify key issues quickly.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

This campaign covers three roles at different grades: Band 1 Planning Inspector, Band 2 Planning Inspector and Band 3 Planning Inspector.

We are running a single recruitment process to fill all positions.

To ensure a fair and open competition please note:

How we will assess you

• You only need to submit one application to be considered for all three roles. All candidates will then go through a single selection process, assessed against the Essential Criteria and Civil Service Success Profiles framework (Behaviours, Experience and Technical)

• During the sift, the panel will assess candidates against criteria appropriate to the grade of each role. This means application process is the same, but the expected level of evidence differs between B1, B2 & B3, in line with Civil Service Behaviour and grade standards.

How we will decide the grade you are assessed against:

At Sift, you may be assessed as suitable for:

• B1, or
• B2, or
• B3, or
• All three grades, depending on the level of evidence you provide in your application.

Offers will be made strictly in merit order, and only where you meet the required standard for that grade, ensuring selection on merit and fair competition.

What this means for you

• You will need to state which grade/s when applying.
• You will only be offered an interview at a grade/s where you meet all essential criteria.
• This ensures a transparent and fair process and avoids disadvantaging candidates applying across a dual grade competition.

Question and Answer Session

We will be running a Question and Answer session at 1pm on Monday 18th May 2026 which you can join using the following link - Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of Behaviour, Technical, Experience questions

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: 26th May – 1st June 2026

Interview Date: W/C 15th June 2026

Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Future Matches

Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.

ID and Documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Heidi Cruickshank
• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitme…

Attachments

EVP(Great_Place_To_Work) Opens in new window (pdf, 534kB)RoWCL Candidate Pack (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 576kB)