Principal Strategic Planning Officer
North Herts Council
Temporary, Full Time
£55.00 per day (umbrella)
Location: Letchworth Garden City
Closing Date: 6th October 2025
The Opportunity
A rare opportunity has arisen at North Herts Council for a Principal Strategic Planning Officer to join the department on a 3-6-month temporary basis. Please note this role requires the individual to be based on site 2 days per week (Monday/Wednesday), with free parking available.
This position plays a key role within the Strategic Planning team in the review, project management and update of the District’s Local Plan in a professional manner which contributes to the attainment of group, service and corporate objectives.
Key responsibilities:
- To support the Strategic Planning Manager with the project management, preparation, monitoring and review of the District Local Plan including (as required) the preparation of chapters and sections of the Plan and / or focussed reviews on specified areas of policy. To defend Council decisions on these matters by appearing as witness at Examinations in Public or Public Inquiries.
- To support the Strategic Planning Manager with projects and processes informing future Local Plan Reviews
Key focus:
- The main workstream will be to oversee and project managing the site allocations work – with support from junior officers using a software package called Placemaker
- Working on the Local Plan: site allocations, policy drafting, preparing inhouse evidence base documents and managing consultants
The Experience You Will Bring:
- Membership or eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute
- Experience of Local Plan Reviews
- Significant experience of policy formulation and development
- Experience of positively influencing planning outcomes through liaison and negotiation of complex matters
- Detailed knowledge of relevant Acts and Regulations
- In depth knowledge of key areas of strategic planning policy such as housing need and supply, Green Belt, commercial, infrastructure & viability or site analysis and selection
- Experience of project management and procurement
If you want to know more about the responsibilities, benefits, or anything else about this great opportunity, or if you’d like to request a copy of the full job profile, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk
