Principal Planning Policy Officer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer to join our Planning Policy Team.

North Somerset Council is at a key stage in the preparation of our new Local Plan having completed the Pre-submission consultation at the end of 2025 with submission and examination this year. The new Local Plan will bring forward homes, jobs, community facilities and infrastructure to meet our needs while protecting a high quality natural environment.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive, highly motivated and experienced principal planner to join the team to help take the plan through the last crucial stages of plan-making to adoption under the current system and take a lead role in future plan-making at a local and regional level going forward under the new system.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning policy officer to take a lead role in a friendly and supportive team working across a range of projects to help us plan for the future of the district. North Somerset faces significant development pressures in a constrained area which includes Green Belt, Mendip Hills National Landscape, extensive areas vulnerable to flooding and other sensitive environments. Our challenges are wide ranging and as a result there will be plenty of opportunity to work on a variety of issues and schemes.

The new Local Plan identifies four strategic growth locations, and the role will involve leading on the delivery and implementation of these schemes working alongside colleagues across the council and external stakeholders.

We are looking for someone who has significant experience in the preparation of local plans and other planning documents, including writing policies and identifying site options, developing technical evidence and studies (including procuring consultants), and liaising with other service areas in the Council and engagement with a range of stakeholders including statutory consultees and agencies, Town and Parish Councils, local communities, and the development industry. You will have a sound understanding of plan making legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework.

To be successful in this role you must have ambition to deliver exceptional places, have a positive approach to challenges, problem solving, and the ability to use your initiative, be able to innovate and seek creative solutions to planning for new homes and jobs and securing the delivery of infrastructure.

In this role, you will;

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake, as leader officer, the preparation of planning policy and related guidance, including formulation of local plan policies, neighbourhood plans, supplementary guidance, development briefs, design guidance, and associated evidence gathering and engagement.
• Produce briefing information, policy advice and reports on complex and/or contentious policy issues to appropriate individuals and bodies at all levels of the council's governance arrangements and to members, external organisations, developers / applicants, and public meetings as required.
• Make expert recommendations on issues of key importance.
• Brief Cabinet members on specialist policy areas and draft Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee reports and present if required to support senior colleagues.
• Prepare complex evidence base documents based on robust methodologies and well justified conclusions to support Local Plan policies and allocations.
• Liaise and co-ordinate work activities with other services across the council and external agencies including statutory consultees and government departments.
• Ensure robust and inclusive community engagement, give advice and assistance to the public and other customers as and when necessary, and represent the Planning Service at public meetings and consultation events.
• Represent the Council by preparing and presenting expert and professional evidence at public inquiries, examinations and hearings.
• Provide policy and strategic planning advice to the Development Management service.
• Maintain a thorough, up-to-date knowledge of relevant planning policies, planning law, working practices and procedures and consider their implications for North Somerset.
• Scope, commission and project manage consultants to deliver relevant research and evidence to support policy formulation.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• Work both from home and the office. While this position is based in the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare, we operate a hybrid working environment. Most of the team predominantly work from home however, we currently attend the office as a team once a week, or more frequently depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about planning and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• An RTPI-recognised degree level qualification in Town Planning or equivalent.
• Extensive experience of working within the planning profession, including experience relevant to planning policy.
• Thorough knowledge and practical experience of all relevant planning legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage/organise own workload to meet agreed deadlines and balance competing priorities.
• Ability to prepare & present information/evidence clearly and confidently both in writing and verbally.

Desirable Criteria:

• Eligible for Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Experience of giving evidence at public inquiries, examinations and/or hearings.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Claire Courtois, Planning Policy Assistant Manager at claire.courtois@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 42 6816

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: w/c Monday 09 March 2026.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.