Principal Planner (Rail)
Location: Buckinghamshire County Wide
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 Principal Planner (Rail) 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 a Principal Planner (Rail), 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.
Contract: Casual
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.
About the role
This is a unique opportunity to lead the Schedule 17 HS2 Act consenting process for over 60km of the HS2 route through Buckinghamshire, playing a pivotal role in one of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. While your focus will be HS2 planning consents, you'll also be part of a wider team supporting major schemes including Heathrow Expansion and East West Rail.
Working closely with the Planning (Rail) Team Leader, you'll manage a complex portfolio of HS2 planning applications, guiding proposals from pre-application discussions through to determination. You'll assess major infrastructure designs, navigate technical planning challenges, and build effective relationships with stakeholders, communities, elected members, and project partners.
This role requires a proactive and commercially aware planner who can interpret complex technical information, coordinate across multiple disciplines, and drive timely, well-reasoned outcomes. You'll also support the wider HS2 Planning Team, providing guidance to colleagues and deputising for the Team Leader when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Schedule 17 pre-application negotiations, securing the best possible mitigation and design outcomes within the HS2 Act framework.
- Manage and determine a range of HS2-related planning submissions, including Schedule 17, Schedule 16, Town and Country Planning Act, and Transport Works Act Order applications.
- Support the Planning (Rail) Team Leader in delivering statutory planning responsibilities and deputise as required.
- Act as a key point of contact for HS2 planning enquiries, providing clear and timely advice.
- Represent the Council at Member Panels, Community Forums, Cabinet and Council meetings, site visits, and stakeholder engagement events.
- Provide guidance and support to colleagues, helping to maintain a high-performing and collaborative team.
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 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.
Please see the attached job summary for further information on this role and person specification.
Other information
Please see the attached job summary for further information on this role and person specification.
Number of positions available: 1
Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026
Interview date: TBC
Interview-type / process: In person
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
We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.
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/
