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Principal Planning Policy Officer

Employer
Capita
Location
Breckland (East Anglia)
Salary
Negotiable subject to knowledge and experience
Closing date
30 Mar 2020

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Looking to make an impact in place shaping, policy development and delivery? Join our team and experience the best of both worlds working for a private/public sector partnership in the heart of Norfolk.

The Breckland Local Plan was adopted in November 2019 and is required to undergo an immediate review. You would be at the start of that process and work alongside the Planning Policy Manager to formulate the plan and drive it forward.

We are looking for an experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer to join Capita at an exciting time for the Breckland District Council/Capita Partnership seeking to deliver the new Breckland Local Plan.

Breckland sits in the heart of Norfolk within half an hour of Norwich city and the beautiful North Norfolk coast.

The Breckland Local Plan was adopted in November 2019 and is required to undergo an immediate review. You would be at the start of that process and work alongside the Planning Policy Manager to formulate the plan and drive it forward.

Key responsibilities

We are currently looking to recruit an experienced, motivated individual to work within our Planning Policy Team based in Dereham.

Working under the Planning Policy Manager the successful applicant will help to support the delivery of a high quality, effective, efficient and customer focused planning policy service. The post holder will work on the review of the Local Plan including the formulation of the spatial planning policies, including site allocations and Development Management policies, through the initiation and commissioning of evidence base documents, preparing preferred options, consultation and engagement with communities.

As our Principal Planning Policy Officer you will:

  • Work towards delivering the annual work programme of planning policy work for Breckland Council and consultancy commissions;
  • Lead preparation of key evidence base studies and commissions to support Local Plan or other Development Planning Documents as required;
  • Monitor and evaluate information and research data and disseminate as required
  • Provide support and advice to the development management team, on strategically important planning applications, enforcement and appeals;
  • Provide timely, comprehensive and accurate reports and recommendations on planning policy issues;
  • Provide professional representation at Examinations in Public including presentation and justification of Council policy and co-ordination of case
  • Provide senior level support within the planning policy service provided to Breckland Council;
  • Assist in growing the Capita planning policy team consultancy business and leading bid preparation and fee proposals for planning policy commissions;
  • Deputise for the Planning Policy Manager
  • Attend and present to Breckland Council’s Committees including the Local Plan Working Group;
  • Provide professional advice on planning matters to clients, the public, Members of the Council, and others as necessary;
  • Attend and present at various public meetings; including to Town and Parish Councils in the District;
  • Keep up to date with current legislation and policy changes, including CPD requirements;

Your experience will include:

  • Experience of working in planning in a public or private sector environment;
  • Educated to degree level in a relevant subject;
  • Proven experience of delivering Local Plan and related documents;
  • A degree qualification in Town and Country Planning or equivalent experience;
  • Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute;
  • A thorough knowledge of current planning legislation;
  • Proven experience of working effectively in a team and working to common goals; 
  • Good verbal and written communication skills with experience of preparing reports and presentations;
  • The ability to prioritise and proactively manage workloads to key deadlines;
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, Access etc.);
  • The ability to use your own initiative to solve challenges working as part of a team and under direction;
  • Knowledge of current planning legislation, regulations and guidance relevant to planning policy;
  • Experience of dealing with customers by phone, e-mail and face to face;
  • The ability to consider a wide range of complex issues and balance those issues to make a clear and reasoned judgement;
  • The post holder will be expected to work flexibly to meet the commercial and contractual requirements of the business.

What’s in it for me?

  • Salary to be negotiated subject to knowledge and experience;
  • Fees paid for chartered RTPI membership;
  • Opportunities for training, additional experience and progression within the organisation including the potential for secondments to other sections and the potential to work on wider projects;
  • Live and work in a beautiful location, close to the thriving city of Norwich as well as the unrivalled Norfolk coastline.
  • Potential for flexible working, subject to requirements

About us

In 2009 Capita was appointed as partner to Breckland District Council to provide its Town Planning and Building Control service.  Our team, based in the Council’s offices in Dereham, provides the Council with the full range of planning policy, development management and building control services.  We also provide consultancy services to other councils and to the private sector, with access across the Capita Business to a full range of built environment consultancy support.

Capita Limited is one of the largest and fastest growing consultancies in the UK Property and Infrastructure markets with approximately 4000 staff in 50 plus United Kingdom locations with a turnover in excess of £200m. Working for Capita at Breckland Council offers the potential to progress and be involved in wider projects and provides experience of both public and private sector planning work.

All of this, in a professional but fun environment.

To apply send your CV and covering letter breifly explaining your suitability for the role and the reason you want to work for us to Tracy Booker, Operations Manager at: tracy.booker@capita.com or by post to: Tracy Booker, Operations Manager, Capita Breckland, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham Norfolk, NR19 1EE

Successful applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview. First stage telephone interviews can be arranged if requested

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