Planning Policy Assistant

Please apply online via the link provided.

Position: Planning Policy Assistant
Location: South Downs Centre, Midhurst (Hybrid Working)
Closing Date: 25 January 2026
Interview Date: 5 February 2026
Salary: £28,540 to £31,127
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of post: Permanent

Are you interested in a career in planning, helping to influence how development happens within South Downs National Park? Are you good at chasing down information and statistics and presenting information clearly? Do you like designing and implementing systems that organise information and make it easily available to users? Are you reliable, organised and good with detail, but can also communicate that information to others? If so, then this could be the perfect job for you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within SDNPA’s Planning Policy Team to contribute to our South Downs Local Plan Review, which will be published for its final consultation and submitted for examination in 2026. As Planning Policy Assistant, you will play a vital role in finalising this Local Plan, carrying out the consultation and assisting the team in preparing for and participating in the Local Plan examination.

We will also be starting work on minerals and waste plans under the new plan-making system being introduced in 2026, so you will have an opportunity to participate in the first generation of these new 30-month plans and help make the legislation work in practice. It is an exciting time to be a policy planner!

Provided you meet the minimum criteria, you will also have the opportunity to gain or improve your qualifications to progress a career in planning.

Does this sound like something that interests you? Do you think you meet the person specification and can make this role your own? Then please apply!

To apply: Please apply via the button shown to upload your CV and complete our application, referring to the person specification.

SDNPA is an inclusive organisation, and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, faith and religion, disability, and age.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants.

In all circumstances, the SDNPA appoints on merit, based on the evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post. Further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on our website.

SDNPA Enhanced Benefits

- Flexible working (this is available for the majority of our roles. However, some positions may require on-site presence and/or specific hours due to business needs)
- Local government pension scheme
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Heat Scheme (capped interest-free green home improvement loan, available on a first-come, first-served basis)
- Healthcare, includes cash plan, counselling and wellbeing discounts
- Access to Health and Wellbeing portal and webinars
- 27 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays
- Professional development support
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car sharing
- Use of pool cars
- Regular staff events/activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty