North Northamptonshire Council
Principal Planning Officer
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Principal Planning Officer
About the Role
North Northamptonshire Council is the result of local government reorganisation in 2021, unifying the planning functions of the former district and borough councils in Northamptonshire. This collaborative effort has created a robust local planning service that serves the high-growth area of North Northamptonshire. Currently, we are preparing a new Local Plan, shaping a spatial vision for the region. Our projects span from sustainable urban extensions to large-scale industrial and commercial developments, offering a diverse and enriching professional environment.
This position will provide a broad range of challenges and opportunities for Principal Development Management Officer, supporting both your own career growth and the ongoing development of our team.
What You’ll Do
In this dynamic role, you’ll be integral to delivering North Northamptonshire’s planning functions. Your responsibilities include:
- Delivering outstanding customer service through engagement with internal and external stakeholders—including members of the public, applicants, and councillors—ensuring each interaction reflects our dedication to the area’s future.
- Supporting new operational processes and working methods within our newly restructured and technologically modernised planning team.
- Assessing significant planning applications, conducting site inspections, facilitating consultations, and making informed, policy-compliant recommendations.
- Preparing and presenting Reports for planning and other permissions to be presented at Planning Committee meetings as required.
- Contributing to our ‘Development Team’ approach, mentoring junior colleagues and participating in bespoke project teams to handle high-profile, large-scale projects.
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About You
To reflect our commitment to excellence, we seek candidates with:
- A relevant degree and qualifications or ample experience enabling eligibility for chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent regulatory body).
- Extensive experience managing a comprehensive range of planning applications, including complex, high-profile proposals.
- In-depth knowledge of the English planning system, National Planning Policy Framework, and industry best practices.
- Exceptional ability to deliver responsive, customer-oriented services under pressure.
Benefits
At North Northamptonshire Council, we foster a transformative and people-centric environment, offering:
- A competitive salary.
- Generous pension scheme—we contribute towards your plan while offering life cover and ill-health benefits.
- Skills and career development opportunities in a unitary council, providing the infrastructure for growth and growth-oriented opportunities.
- 33 days of leave (28 days rising to 33 + bank holidays), with the option to purchase up to an additional 10 days.
- Hybrid and flexible working (where feasible) to support a healthy work-life balance.
- Industry-leading Employee Assistance Programme and Employee Benefits Scheme, along with wellbeing support.
- HMRC-compliant commuting rates, plus active encouragement of participation in various Employee Network Groups.
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About Us
Our Values
Our core values guide our operations and shape our relationships with customers, colleagues, and communities: Customer-Focused Respectful Efficient Supportive Trustworthy
Driven by these values, we remain focused on maintaining balanced priorities—ensuring that initiatives provide the broadest positive impact.
Disability Confident Employer
North Northamptonshire Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We commit to inclusivity in recruitment and assure interviews for meeting candidates, including those with disabilities.
Our dedicated Employment and Disability Service supports individuals through employment barriers, aiding their pathway to success in their careers.
Armed Forces Community
We hold Gold Award status for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), actively increasing participation for veterans and military resettlement. See Job Openings and Training Info
Attachments: Principal Development Management Officer - December 2025 (PDF) (Note: Email/Ctrl+Click to open attached document before applying.)
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