HS2 Principal Planning Officer

Overview

Are you ready to play a key role in shaping one of the nation’s most ambitious infrastructure projects? Buckinghamshire is at the epicentre of the HS2 transformation, and we’re expanding our dynamic in-house HS2 Planning Team—creating an exciting opportunity for a talented HS2 Principal Planning Officer to make a real difference.

With the HS2 railway line’s construction in full swing across Buckinghamshire, there is a continual stream of planning consents to engage with, evaluate, and conclude. As part of the Infrastructure and Major Projects Service within the Planning, Growth, and Sustainability Directorate, our HS2 Planning Team fulfils critical statutory duties as a Qualifying Authority under Schedule 17 of the HS2 Act—guiding submissions from initial discussions right through to final decisions.

In this pivotal role, you’ll collaborate with expert colleagues, connect with external agencies and Council Members, and engage directly with HS2 Ltd and the main works contractors delivering the project. As the HS2 Principal Planner, you’ll be at the heart of decision-making—helping to ensure that the design, delivery, and impacts of this landmark project are thoughtfully considered every step of the way.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About the role

This role offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your planning and development management skills as you lead the Schedule 17 - HS2 Act consenting process that covers more than 60 km of HS2 railway in Buckinghamshire. Whilst this role solely relates to HS2 planning consents, the wider team are involved with other key infrastructure projects, such as the Heathrow Expansion and East West Rail.

Supporting the HS2 Planning Team and working closely with the Planning (Rail) Team Leader, the Principal Planning Officer will manage a complex caseload of planning work related to HS2 design proposals. You’ll work collaboratively and in a timely manner, as you deal proactively with HS2 proposals from the pre-application stage to the determination of applications. You will be adept at dealing with major infrastructure design proposals, the technical planning issues involved and the need to liaise with the community, interested parties, and Council Members.

The role will involve working with other technical disciplines across the planning service and in other parts of the Council. The right candidate will be versatile and astute in understanding technical design elements and resolving clarifications and issues to conclude the determination of submissions received.

Working within the dedicated HS2 Planning Team and the Planning (Rail) Team Leader, you’ll steer a dynamic and challenging caseload of HS2 applications, each one integral to the design and delivery of HS2 across Buckinghamshire. Your proactive approach and commitment to collaboration will ensure that every relevant design detail is given careful consideration.

Key Accountabilities

• Leading on Schedule 17 pre-applications negotiations to secure the best mitigation within the framework of the HS2 Act controls, and as set-out in the Environment Statement, the Environment Minimum Requirements, and other associated guidance. With the focus of securing good design and preserving impacted areas from avoidable harm.
• Processing the range of formal HS2 applications received, Schedule 17, Schedule 16, and those submitted as per the Town and Country Planning Act and the Transport Works Act Order, communicating any technical concerns and requesting any further details to facilitate the conclusion and determination of submissions.
• To support the Planning (Rail) Team Leader in delivering a planning service that meets the Council’s statutory requirements as set out in Schedule 17 of the HS2 Act, and the HS2 Planning Memorandum. Deputising when required.
• Liaising and responding to planning consent related HS2 enquiries and clarifications that are received or directed to the HS2 Planning Team.
• Attending HS2 Members Panels, Community Forums, Cabinets and Council meetings, site visits when requested and participating at both informal and formal meetings.
• Guiding, supporting, and overseeing some of the work undertaken by other members of the team.

About you

• Broad expertise in planning legislation and policy.
• Hands-on experience as a planning officer, leading diverse teams and tackling complex proposals head-on.
• Comfortable working independently or thriving within collaborative groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building strong relationships with professionals and stakeholders.
• Skilled communicator, both in writing and speech.
• Masterful time manager; adept at juggling demanding workloads, setting clear priorities and deadlines, and responding swiftly to change.
• Proven ability to take initiative, adapt quickly, and work skilled at analysing challenges and offering evidence-based solutions.
• Track record of preparing detailed officer reports that address every aspect of a proposal, even with intricate or contentious issues.
• Solid background in EIA development.
• Advanced ICT know-how, especially in Microsoft Applications.
• Holds a degree (or equivalent) in planning.
• Previous success evaluating infrastructure proposals in development management.
• Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) membership is a plus.
• Possesses a full UK driving licence.

Other information

Please see the attached job summary for further information on this role and person specification.

Number of positions available: 1

Interview-type / process: TBC

For an informal chat about this role in more detail, please contact Tom Blackman at [email protected]. Please include “PPO HS2 Role” in the subject header.

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This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

For roles that require Standard or Enhanced DBS checks please use wording below:

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/