Job Purpose
To provide senior professional planning expertise within the Planning Policy Team, leading and managing complex planning policy workstreams that support the preparation, progression and delivery of Bedford Borough Council's Local Plan 2050 and associated policy programmes.
The postholder will play a key role in the development of strategic planning policy, evidence gathering, consultation activities, housing delivery monitoring and site assessments. The role will provide additional senior capacity to ensure the successful delivery of critical planning policy objectives, whilst supporting team resilience, professional development and service continuity.
Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Principal Planning Officer will coordinate multidisciplinary projects, provide strategic planning advice and act as a lead officer on significant areas of policy development.
Key Responsibilities
Local Plan Preparation and Delivery
- Lead the preparation, development and progression of key stages of the Local Plan 2050 and related planning policy documents.
- Manage complex planning policy projects and workstreams to ensure delivery in accordance with agreed programmes, statutory requirements and corporate objectives.
- Prepare policy documents, reports, briefing papers and recommendations for senior management, committees and elected members.
- Coordinate and manage public consultation exercises and stakeholder engagement activities associated with plan preparation.
- Represent the Council at examinations, hearings, inquiries, meetings and consultation events as required.
Evidence Base and Strategic Planning
- Lead the preparation, commissioning and review of technical evidence required to support the Local Plan and related planning policy work.
- Coordinate specialist consultants and multidisciplinary professional teams involved in evidence base preparation.
- Assess and interpret planning, demographic, environmental, economic and housing data to inform policy development.
- Lead strategic site assessment and development appraisal work.
- Ensure planning policy work is consistent with national planning policy, legislative requirements and emerging best practice.
Housing and Growth
- Support the delivery and monitoring of housing growth objectives across the Borough.
- Lead work relating to housing land supply, housing delivery monitoring and strategic growth planning.
- Analyse housing delivery data and prepare monitoring reports and evidence to support planning policy decisions.
- Contribute to the preparation of infrastructure planning and growth strategies.
Professional Advice and Leadership
- Provide expert professional planning advice to Members, senior officers, internal departments, external partners and stakeholders.
- Support and mentor planning policy officers and other team members, sharing expertise and promoting professional development.
- Assist in prioritising workloads and coordinating resources across the Planning Policy Team.
- Contribute to service improvement initiatives and the ongoing development of planning policy practices.
Partnership Working
- Develop productive working relationships with neighbouring authorities, government bodies, statutory consultees, developers, landowners and community groups.
- Represent the Council in cross-boundary planning matters and strategic partnerships.
- Promote collaborative working to support the delivery of planning policy objectives.
Corporate Responsibilities
- Comply with relevant legislation, Council policies, procedures and professional standards.
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
- Undertake other duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the post.