Principal Planning Officer

Overview

As Principal Planning Officer you drive strategic, complex planning projects to support sustainable development and place-shaping for Wiltshire. You will lead a development management team, engage communities and stakeholders, and ensure work aligns with the Local Plan and national planning policy. Your role focuses on delivering high-impact developments and mentoring junior staff to maintain consistency and quality. This position offers a chance to shape outcomes at a county level within a collaborative, inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage strategic and complex planning projects
• Enable community engagement and stakeholder collaboration to secure appropriate development
• Handle challenging strategic planning applications
• Provide innovative solutions to support sustainable development aligned with place-shaping objectives
• Lead and guide less experienced officers, including checking and signing off their work for consistency with Local Plan, Scheme of Delegation and national planning policy

Key requirements

• experience leading strategic and complex planning projects
• strong stakeholder engagement and community involvement
• ability to mentor and supervise junior staff
• knowledge of Local Plan, Scheme of Delegation, and national planning policy

• stakeholder engagement
• leadership
• collaboration
• Local Plan knowledge
• Scheme of Delegation knowledge
• national planning policy understanding

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