Planning Policy Officer

**Salary**

£30,195 - £41,895 dependent on experience (up to £43,093 for exceptional performance when in post)

**Contractual hours**

37

**Basis**

Full time

**Region**

South

**Job category/type**

Planning

**Date posted**

21/07/2025

**Help us shape the future of the New Forest**

**Are you enthusiastic, capable and ambitious and looking to start or further a career in planning? Do you want to work in a unique and special area where you will have the opportunity to work on the preparation of a new Local Plan to guide future development?**

New Forest District Council are looking for an enthusiastic and pro-active Planning Policy Officer to help work on our Local Plan review and other planning policy work.

You will be involved in all aspects of plan-making, working in partnership with officers across the Council and working co-operatively with different authorities, agencies and communities in the New Forest and beyond.

Work on the Local Plan review is still at the early stages and you will help with its preparation as we seek to reflect how to accommodate wider economic and housing growth agendas within a planning area that has unique environmental and other policy considerations.

**What’s in it for you?**
- £30,195 - £41,895 dependent on experience (up to £43,093 for exceptional performance when in post)
- 24 - 27 days annual leave (plus an additional 5 days after 5 years’ continuous local government service)
- A commitment to your professional development including CPD and payment of professional subscription
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible working opportunities (including some working from home)
- A Cycle to Work scheme which could save you around 40% on cycles and accessories
- Employee Assistance Programme (free 24 hour legal, financial and personal advice for employees)
- Wide range of employee discounts at high street retailers, including supermarkets, stores and restaurants
- Applications for part time working will be actively considered

**Do you enjoy helping to shape future places?**

Covering New Forest District (outside of the National Park), you will be part of a team of five in preparing and shaping the Local Plan review through to its examination working closely with colleagues across the Council and particularly those in the planning service. This will include various topics areas that reflect the New Forest’s unique issues and environment, such as open spaces, and supporting the Sustainability Appraisal of the plan. Alongside the Local Plan review there will be other planning policy work including involvement in regeneration initiatives, neighbourhood plans, and design codes.

You will either have an RTPI accredited degree in planning, or you will have a degree in a relevant built or natural environment discipline, and you will be able to demonstrate a keen interest in, and awareness of, the planning system and local plan-making. You will have the drive and commitment to deal with the complexities of planning policy in a highly environmentally sensitive area. You will be well equipped to effectively and collaboratively work within the team.

**About us**

The New Forest is unique. Famous for its amazing wildlife, one of the largest areas of heathland in Europe, and some of the oldest trees in the country, it's a place of rare and stunning beauty.

But more than this, it's a place of thriving towns and villages, communities where people live, learn and work, and we're responsible for everything from open spaces, play areas and woodland to recycling, parking and emergency planning.

The district's growing economy is a reflection of the ambition and hard work of the people who live here.

It's our vision to secure a vibrant and prosperous New Forest into the future, guided by the people we serve and working in partnership with others.

We are proud of our values, please watch this short video to find out more.

We believe that all our employees make a valuable contribution to the work of the council and that’s why we encourage a trusting and open culture where each employee is supported and respected equally, in an inclusive workplace. We also recognise the value of a highly motivated and engaged workforce and we actively promote a good work/life balance and embrace workplace wellbeing.