PRINCIPAL FORWARD PLANNING OFFICER

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Exeter is seeking a Principal Forward Planning Officer to lead projects for the new Local Plan, focusing on delivering sustainable development and addressing the climate emergency. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in planning, policy writing, and stakeholder engagement. Required qualifications include a Planning Degree and Royal Town Planning Institute membership. This role promises a chance to make impactful changes in a beautiful rural area.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the preparation of local plans.
• Ability to innovate and seek creative solutions to planning challenges.
• Strong understanding of planning legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead role in projects related to the new Local Plan.
• Develop technical evidence and studies, procuring consultants as needed.
• Engagement with stakeholders including local communities and councils.

Skills

Experience in preparing local plans

Policy writing

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Education

Planning Degree

Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Job description

PRINCIPAL FORWARD PLANNING OFFICER

GRADE I: SALARY: £42,839 to £46,142 per annum

Mid Devon District Council has started preparing a new Local Plan that will bring forward homes, jobs, community facilities and infrastructure to meet our needs while protecting a high quality natural environment. The Local Plan will have a key role in planning for economic growth, responding to the climate emergency and moving towards net‑zero carbon future.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning policy officer to take a lead role across a range of projects and help us plan for the future of the district through a reformed plan making system, working in an attractive rural area close to the city of Exeter and within easy reach of the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, Blackdown Hills National Landscape and the north and south Devon coasts.

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 and local communities. 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 amazing 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.

You should hold a Planning Degree and have membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

For an informal discussion about the post, contact Tristan Peat, Forward Planning Team Leader on [phone].

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 12 January 2026 - 5pm

PROPOSED DATE FOR INTERVIEW: w/c 26 January 2026

POST NUMBER: PF09

VACANCY REFERENCE NUMBER: 2025148

Committed to Equality of Opportunity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community