Contract: Temporary, Full Time (3-month contract)
Rate: £55.00 per hour (umbrella)
Location: Hybrid, 2 days per week in-office (Monday and Wednesday)
Closing Date: 6th October 2025
A Hertfordshire-based Local Authority is seeking a highly experienced Principal Strategic Planning Officer to join their Strategic Planning team on a temporary basis. Offering a competitive rate of £55.00 per hour, this role plays a key part in progressing the authority’s Local Plan through its next stage of review and site allocations.
The Role
You’ll provide senior-level input into the review, project management, and update of the District’s Local Plan, with a specific focus on site allocations. You’ll lead the process of drafting policy, managing in-house evidence base documents, and coordinating consultants, while also supporting junior officers using specialist tools such as Placemaker.
This is a key opportunity for a planning policy professional to help shape long-term strategy, policy, and delivery frameworks in a district balancing growth, environmental constraints, and infrastructure needs.
Key Responsibilities:
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Support the Strategic Planning Manager in the review and preparation of the Local Plan
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Lead on site allocation workstreams, policy drafting, and related evidence base documents
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Manage projects and consultants related to strategic planning and Local Plan delivery
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Provide professional planning policy advice, including presenting evidence at Examinations in Public or Inquiries
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Oversee junior officers contributing to policy workstreams and spatial planning tasks
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Utilise software such as Placemaker to coordinate and assess spatial site allocation data
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Ensure the Local Plan reflects national policy and local priorities, including housing, Green Belt, infrastructure, and viability considerations
About You
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Eligible for or full Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
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Strong track record of Local Plan reviews, strategic policy development, and site allocation work
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Extensive knowledge of the relevant planning legislation and policy frameworks
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Experience in leading or contributing to Local Plan Examinations and public inquiries
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Strong background in project management and consultant coordination
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Confident in writing policies, preparing evidence, and working across multidisciplinary teams
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Skilled in one or more key policy areas, including housing supply, Green Belt, infrastructure, viability, or commercial planning
Why Apply?
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£55.00 per hour (umbrella)
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3-month contract, with potential for extension
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Hybrid working, 2 days per week in-office (Monday and Wednesday)
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Free on-site parking provided
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Lead on a strategic Local Plan workstream with meaningful long-term impact
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Join a well-supported, policy-focused team during a critical phase of plan-making
Interested?
To apply or find out more, please contact Billy at Park Avenue Recruitment on 07763 200416 or email [email protected].
Please note: Not all roles are advertised. I work with Local Authorities across Hertfordshire and the surrounding regions, recruiting for interim positions in Planning Policy, Development Management, and Planning Enforcement. Get in touch to discuss opportunities suited to your experience.
