Principal Planning Officer (Development Management)

Bassetlaw District Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Planning Officer (Development Management) to join our high-performing Planning Service. This is a key leadership role at an exciting time, as we progress ambitious regeneration, strategic growth sites and respond to the opportunities presented through Local Government Reorganisation.

This is your opportunity to take the lead on complex and high‑profile planning projects that will shape the district’s future—while influencing how planning services are delivered and continuously improved.

About the role

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will play a central role in delivering the Council’s statutory development management responsibilities and supporting high-quality, sustainable development across Bassetlaw.

You will:

• Lead on major, complex and politically sensitive planning applications, including strategic and allocated sites
• Manage and advise on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and Development Consent Orders
• Provide expert professional advice to Members, senior officers, developers and stakeholders
• Negotiate and secure planning obligations and community benefits through legal agreements
• Represent the Council at Planning Committee, appeals and public inquiries, including as an expert witness
• Support service improvement, innovation and income generation through pre‑application services and PPAs
• Mentor and develop junior colleagues, helping to build a resilient and future‑ready planning service

You will also play a key role in building strong partnerships across the region, supporting delivery of major initiatives including strategic growth and infrastructure programmes.

About you

We are looking for a confident and commercially aware planning professional who can operate effectively at a senior level.

You will bring:

• A degree (or equivalent) in Town Planning or a related discipline
• RTPI membership (or eligibility)
• Significant experience of development management, including major and strategic applications
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy and complex development considerations
• Proven ability to negotiate, influence and build relationships with developers, Members and communities
• Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting at committee and appeal forums
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure

Experience of public inquiries, viability, NSIPs or mentoring staff will be advantageous.

If you’d like to discuss the role, please contact Richard Riggs (Development Manager) at [email protected].

We offer a generous employee benefit package including 26-32 days holiday plus bank holidays, free healthcare cash plan, flexitime and so much more. You can read about all our employee benefits here.

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification attached before applying.

Please note: If you are reviewing this advert on an external site, some links may not be available. For full details and to submit your application, please visit our official website.

About The Council

Interested in joining our team?
Please select Apply Online to upload your CV and covering letter, highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and achievements.

Please note that the application process will require you to upload your CV. If you don't have one to upload, you can download a CV template we've created to help you get started.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our recruitment processes are fair, transparent, and designed to ensure that everyone is treated equally at every stage.

If you need any help with your application, contact us at [email protected] or call 01909 533121, we are here to support you.

Closing date:    5 June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early when we receive sufficient and suitable applications. Therefore, please ensure that you submit your CV as soon as possible so that you can be considered for this role. 

Interview date:  to be confirmed