Principal Planning Policy and Place Officer

Salary: From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata

Grade: M

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Location: Selby, North Yorkshire

This role is Hybrid - You can work from home and from one of our office bases in Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate, whilst you cover an allocated part of the region.

We're looking for a Principal Planning Policy and Place Officer to join our Planning service at North Yorkshire Council.

If you have the passion and enthusiasm to shape places across one of the largest and diverse local authority areas in the country, this role is for you.

About the Role

As Principal Planning Policy and Place Officer, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering strategically important and complex projects across a landscape that spans coastlines, national parks, market towns, and rural communities. This is your chance to help produce the first-ever Local Plan for North Yorkshire, a landmark document that will guide development across an area larger than most

You'll support and lead on major areas of policy work, including:

• The Local Plan for North Yorkshire

• The Minerals and Waste Joint Plan

• Neighbourhood Plans

• Other Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents, Joint plans, Masterplans, Supplementary Plans and policy guidance

As a Principal Planning Policy Officer, you will:

• Support the Planning Policy Manager in delivering complex and strategic planning policy across North Yorkshire

• Lead on plan-making and place-shaping with a creative, evidence-based approach

• Represent the Council at public consultations, hearings, and examinations

• Provide expert policy advice and prepare written/oral evidence for formal proceedings

• Monitor legislative changes and update policies accordingly

• Collaborate across services (e.g. transport, housing, climate) to align strategic priorities

• Engage with Members, stakeholders, and external consultants to support policy development

• Contribute to national and regional consultations and deputise for senior managers when required

What You'll Bring

• Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Town and Country Planning (or RTPI-recognised equivalent)

• Eligibility for RTPI membership

• Strong knowledge of planning legislation and policy, with the ability to interpret and apply it effectively

• Experience across all aspects of plan-making, including consultation and examination

• Confidence working with elected members and understanding political processes

• Familiarity with residential and commercial property markets and their links to wider services

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general IT systems

Our team

The Council's Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work.

The Planning Policy & Place workstream is responsible for shaping future development and conservation of North Yorkshire through the preparation of Development Plan Documents (DPDs), Neighbourhood Plans, Joint plans/strategies (e.g. the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan), supplementary plans and guidance.

Why Join us?

• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days of holiday (pro-rata), increasing to 34 days after 5 years' service – plus public holidays.

Pension Scheme:

• for your future with our generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Fitness Discounts: Discounted Gym memberships at various gyms across the county.
• Lifestyle Savings: Enjoy a wide range of discounts at hundreds of popular high-street and online retailers.
• And more: Additional wellbeing support, employee assistance, and development opportunities.

Contact and apply…

For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Linda Marfitt, Head of Planning Policy & Place )

Job

Total

Key Dates

Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 30th November 2025

Interview date: w/c 15th December 2025

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to this commitment.

North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.

Principal Planning Policy and Place Officer

Salary: £47,181 - £51,356 pro rata per annum

Posted: 13/11/2025

Closing date: 30/11/2025

Closing time: 23:59