Overview
Salary: £56,528 per annum, which includes a time limited recruitment allowance of £7,246 per annum until 28/02/2027.
Shape the future of Somerset
Join Somerset Council – one of the largest unitary authorities in the country – and work on some of the most varied and high‑profile planning projects in the UK. From major regeneration and nationally significant infrastructure to town centres, rural development and housing growth, you’ll help shape places that matter.
Following local government reorganisation, we’re a single, ambitious council serving nearly 600,000 residents. Our scale and stability offer excellent career development across Development Management, Enforcement, Planning Policy, and Minerals & Waste – including work linked to Hinkley Point C and the Somerset-wide Local Plan.
You’ll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking planning service with embedded flexibility, strong professional support and real opportunities to grow.
What We Offer
- High‑profile, complex and varied planning enforcement work
- Clear career development and progression
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Supportive management and a strong learning culture
- Generous leave, pension and wellbeing benefits
If you want planning work that genuinely shapes communities and places, Somerset has something for you.
Role Summary
As a Principal Planning Officer – Development Manager, you’ll lead on a varied and complex portfolio of planning applications, helping to secure high‑quality development across Somerset. You’ll play a key role in shaping major schemes, balancing planning policy, sustainability, and delivery while working closely with colleagues, developers and communities.
What You’ll Do - Key Responsibilities
- Manage and determine major and complex planning applications from pre‑application through to decision and delivery
- Provide expert planning advice to councillors, colleagues, developers and local communities
- Lead negotiations on complex development proposals, including securing infrastructure and planning obligations
- Represent the Council at committees, appeals, public meetings and inquiries
- Support, mentor and guide junior planning officers, promoting high professional standards
Essential
What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Knowledge of planning legislation and case law relating to pre‑application enquiries, planning applications, appeals and enforcement
- Familiarity with IT systems used for data input, report writing and presentations
- Significant experience working at a senior level in Development Management / Placemaking
- Experience managing complex and wide‑ranging caseloads and competing workloads to deliver strategic sites and maintain performance
- Experience providing professional advice across a broad range of planning issues, including procedural and process matters
- Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff
- Strong negotiation skills
- Ability to manage complex projects
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected Members
- Advanced communication skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate and problem-solve
Desirable
- Project Management qualification
Additional Information
- Permanent position, 37 hours a week.
- Flexible and Hybrid working (1-2 days per week in the Office)
- 30 Days annual leave, not including Bank Holidays.
- Extensive CPD and peer support.
- Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for Visa sponsorship.
For an informal chat about the role, you can Nikki Honan via email Nikki.Honan@Somerset.gov.uk or Zac Ellwood via email at zac.ellwood@somerset.gov.uk
A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.
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