Salary: Entry Level: £38,220- £42,839, Higher Level: £42,839- £47,181, per annum

Grade: Entry Level: JK, Higher Level: L

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time (37 hours)

Location: Northallerton, North Yorkshire

Hybrid - Work from home and from one or more of our office bases in Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate, whilst you cover an allocated part of the region.

Work in Our Team

Be part of the team shaping the largest local plan in the country!

We are looking for a new Planning Policy and Place Officer, Career Graded.

The Council’s Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment in the beautiful and diverse North Yorkshire area, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work.  We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Planning Policy and Place team.

About the Role

The Planning Policy & Place workstream is responsible for shaping future development and conservation of North Yorkshire through the development of planning policy.

 The post will be pivotal in supporting the delivery of strategically important and complex projects across the North Yorkshire geography relating to major areas of planning policy work, including (but not limited to): 

• The Local Plan for North Yorkshire
• The Minerals and Waste Joint Plan 
• Neighbourhood Plans 
• Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents, Joint plans, Masterplans, Supplementary Plans, and policy guidance

You will work with others to ensure that plans and documents are positively prepared, reviewed, delivered, and managed in line with statutory requirements.  

Duties and responsibilities

Please see the Job Description for more information:

All Levels

• The postholder will assist in driving forward the development and coordination of work on strategically important and complex projects by preparing, influencing, monitoring, and implementing national, regional, and sub-regional policy in relation to land-use planning, infrastructure planning, and sustainable development. 
• Prepare and maintain a robust evidence base to support planning policies. 
• Exercise professional judgement and assist in developing and making recommendations in respect of planning policy.
• Work with other relevant workstreams across the council such as transport, environmental services, and economic development to ensure alignment of ambitions and priorities.
• Deliver effective consultation and engagement through a variety of methods with communities and key stakeholders. 
• Prepare and present clear and concise reports to a range of audiences/customers.
• Keep up to date with planning regulations, policy, and legislation.

Higher Level

• Successfully develop and implement a range of complex projects running concurrently.
• Work with Town and Parish Councils (or other relevant groups) to assist and advise on the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral evidence as an ‘expert witness’ on behalf of the Council at public examinations, hearings, committees and written appeals.
• Prepare reports for and attend the Development Plan Committee and Executive Member for Planning briefings and Cabinet briefings.
• Assist with the submission of funding bids to support service priorities.
• Assist in briefing relevant Cabinet Members and Ward Members, to ensure proactive and effective communication and decision-making.  
• Represent Planning Services at public meetings, working groups and/or other meetings, and events on matters relating to strategic planning/planning policy to ensure that the Councils priorities are well communicated and understood.

Experience / Qualifications:

All levels

• Educated to A level or equivalent.

• Sound knowledge of current planning legislation, policy, and guidance.
• Knowledge and ability to successfully support and participate in plan making, such as policy development, engagement and public consultation, Examination, and implementation. 
• The ability to monitor performance proactively and effectively and positively assist in driving and implementing organisational and culture change.
• Understanding of political processes and structures.
• Understanding of both the residential and commercial property market and the importance of key links with other service areas such as economic development and transport 

Higher Level

• Degree and/or Post-graduate Diploma in Town and Country Planning or other relevant subject recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) 
• Eligible for full Membership of RTPI
• Experience of successfully supporting and participating in plan making (policy development, engagement and public consultation, Examination, and implementation). 
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of current planning legislation, policy and guidance and the ability to interpret legislation and policy and apply in practical situations.

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid working with flexible working practices and hours, supported by effective technologies that enable you to work remotely.
• A generous annual leave offer; 28 days of holiday (pro-rata), increasing to 34 days after 5 years’ service – plus public holidays.
• A generous pension through our Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Diverse and meaningful work: from working on locally specific policy projects, to helping develop the strategic decisions around where we focus new development in the future in the largest local plan in the country.  
• Supportive team culture: Work alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.
• Career development: We’re committed to helping you grow, with access to training, mentoring, and progression opportunities.

Contact Details

For more information/informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachael Balmer, Planning Policy and Place Manager via email at rachael.balmer@northyorks.gov.uk or

Key Dates:  

Closing Date: Sunday 1^st March 2026

Predicted Interview Dates:  Tuesday 17^th and Thursday 19^th March 2026

Key Documents:

Job Description.docx

Total Rewards.pdf

Planning service career opportunities | North Yorkshire Council

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 share 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.