Job title: Principal Planner (Mass Transit)
Salary: PO4 £46,142- £49,282
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
West Yorkshire Combined Authority is delivering a transformative Mass Transit scheme to connect communities, reduce congestion and support sustainable growth across the region. As a key partner, Leeds City Council is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Planning Officer within the Planning and Sustainable Development team to collaborate effectively with internal colleagues and external partners, providing expert guidance to support the successful delivery of a major infrastructure project in the city.
This role offers a unique opportunity to support on development management matters related to the delivery of the Mass Transit scheme. You will play a key role in ensuring a high-quality outcome through planning, stakeholder engagement and statutory processes, including the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) and representation at public inquiries.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
For other posts related to West Yorkshire Mass Transit, please search ‘Mass Transit’ in the keyword field.
About you
As a Principal Planner you will bring to the role:
- A recognised qualification in Planning or a related discipline e.g. diploma or degree.
- The ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.
- Detailed knowledge of the statutory and policy framework within which planning decisions are made.
- The ability to make good quality planning decisions for the Council in accordance with the scheme of delegations and to ensure that officer reports are comprehensive, deal with all relevant considerations and are fit for purpose.
- In depth experience of working within a planning environment and specifically dealing with major, complex and / or sensitive schemes. Experience in managing or contributing to strategic transport-related projects would be considered an advantage.
About the role
As a Principal Planner, you will play a key role in assessing, managing and advising on the impacts of the Mass Transit system to ensure they align with local and national planning policies, including environmental and design standards.
This is a unique opportunity to apply your planning expertise within a forward-thinking local authority, where your insights will directly shape the future of the built environment. Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Contributing to statutory and regulatory processes, including the preparation of Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAO), and representing the organisation in formal proceedings such as public inquiries.
- Leading on pre-application discussions and a project managed approach to planning proposals and decisions.
- Drafting of robust planning conditions relevant to the project to ensure compliance with relevant planning policies and guidance.
The service is based in Merrion House in Leeds City Centre, but has adopted a flexible, hybrid working model.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
To deal with a full range of planning proposals including major and complex schemes, mentor more junior staff and act as appoint of contact for a specific area aligned to an Area Committee to a high standard to meet performance targets within a culture of proactive development management.
Responsibilities for Grade:
- To take a lead role on pre-application discussions and a project managed approach to planning proposals and decisions.
- To give appropriate and timely responses to customer enquiries on planning matters.
- To take the lead role on specific cases, projects and/or technical work including major and/or complex planning applications.
- To keep Elected Members, MPs and customers appropriately informed on planning matters and deliver a high level of customer care.
- To undertake work in connection with planning appeals including being the Council’s expert witness at major public inquiries.
- To attend and present items at Plans Panel, make recommendations and give planning advice to Elected Members.
- To represent the Council and/or Planning Services at public meetings, Plans Panel and in other public and/or political forums.
- If required to manage and play a key role in the development of staff within the workplace, including thorough undertaking of staff appraisals, training and mentoring.
- If required, to manage and lead on specific projects and service improvements
- To make good quality planning decisions for the Council in accordance with the scheme of delegations and to ensure that officer reports are comprehensive, deal with all relevant considerations and are fit for purpose
- If required, to be a principal point of contact for an Area Committee, MP(s) and Ward Councillors and to ensure the delivery of planning services to high standards to meet performance targets within a culture of proactive development management. .
- To contribute to team development and support within Planning Services
- To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade of the post
Qualifications
A relevant qualification (e.g. Town Planning diploma or degree, or specialist degree relevant to the job) is essential.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
- Ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.
- Ability to manage own work load effectively and demonstrate quality decision making in a timely manner.
- Ability to influence outcomes and negotiate solutions.
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Ability to manage workloads of team members and show leadership characteristics
Knowledge Required
- Detailed knowledge of the statutory and policy framework within which planning decisions are made.
- Understanding of how planning can contribute to the delivery of high quality sustainable development and the achievement of sustainable communities.
- Possess a recognised qualification in Planning or a related discipline e.g. Diploma or Degree.
Experience Required
- Possess a recognised qualification in Planning or a related discipline e.g. Diploma or Degree.
- In depth experience of working within a planning environment and specifically dealing with major, complex and / or sensitive schemes.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery and an understanding of the Leeds City Council’s equality policy
- Willing to take personal responsibility for and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy
- Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work
- Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to deadlines to achieve service objectives.
- Commitment to own personal development and learning.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Skills Required
- Ability to provide leadership, which empowers colleagues and staff to achieve results.
- Ability to express concepts effectively in graphical form.
Knowledge Required
- Understanding of the legal frameworks of the town and country planning system
Experience Required
- Experience of developing and contributing to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
