Principal Planning Policy Officer

This is an exciting time for London Borough of Bexley; we are at the heart of regeneration and change as London’s growth opportunities move eastwards.  The Council is planning for unprecedented growth and development, but key corporate and political priorities are to ensure that growth is of high-quality design and respects the existing character of the borough as well as aiding in the regeneration and renewal of its most deprived areas.

This senior 12-month fixed-term post will play an important role within the Strategic Planning Division as the team undertakes a comprehensive review of Bexley’s designated green belt land, providing experienced support within the planning policy team and advice across Council teams with regards to planning policy, strategy and growth, including infrastructure planning, sustainability and conservation.

The ideal candidate will be highly experienced in strategic planning and be capable of leading work programmes including commissioning consultants as required, giving advice to development management on planning applications, pre-applications and at appeal, and establishing and/or maintaining working partnerships across the Council and with external bodies including through the duty to cooperate.

You will be ambitious for new opportunities and want to work as part of a dynamic and friendly team to help meet the Council’s ambitions.  This role will contribute significantly to the delivery of the Council’s strategic corporate priorities.  Working for us you will have the opportunity to make a real difference for our residents.

Please refer to the Job Description (Bexley15 Grade on the Career Grade Scheme) attached for more information.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Clare Loops, Planning Policy Manager on 020 3045 5766 or email [email protected].

Candidate Profile

A degree level qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline and eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute is essential.  A higher degree (e.g. MSc) in Town Planning or a related discipline is desirable.

For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role then please refer to the Person Specification within the attached Job Description (the requirements at the Bexley15 Grade on the Career Grade Scheme are the relevant criteria).

Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.

Our Offer to you

We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays. For more information on the benefits package on offer please refer to the Candidate Information document attached.

Recruitment Information

As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on  [email protected]

This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees.  The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.