Principal Forward Planning Officer

Mid Devon Council District; Tiverton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced planning policy officer to lead a variety of planning projects. The successful candidate will have significant experience in preparing local plans and engaging with various stakeholders. This role offers an opportunity to innovate in planning for homes and infrastructure in a scenic rural area near the city of Exeter. The council is committed to delivering inclusive and accessible job opportunities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in preparation of local plans and planning documents.
• Ability to innovate and seek creative solutions for new homes and jobs.
• Experience in liaising with stakeholders including Town and Parish Councils.

Responsibilities

• Take a lead role across a range of projects for local planning.
• Develop technical evidence and studies, procuring consultants as needed.
• Engage with various stakeholders including statutory consultees.

Skills

Experience in preparing local plans

Understanding of plan making legislation

Problem solving

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Planning Degree

Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Job description

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.

To find out more

To find out more about this role please contact Tristan Peat, Forward Planning Team Leader on [phone].

The Job Description refers to the level of competencies required for this post. Foran explanation of what this means,please see Core Competencies .

A satisfactory basic disclosure check and three years complete employment history will be requested in the event of you being offered the position.

Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor skilled worker visas at this time. For more information on pre-employment checks, please review the documents found here.

Please remember to quote the following post and vacancy numbers:

CLOSING DATE:

CLOSING DATE: 12 January 2026 at 5:00pm

POST NUMBER:

POST NUMBER: PF04

VACANCY NUMBER:

VACANCY NUMBER: 2025148

PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: w/c26 January 2026

MDDC reserves the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage early applications.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups. We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

We're committed to Equality of Opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

If we've not contacted you within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Thank you for showing an interest in this vacancy and we wish you every success with your on-going job search.