Principal Planning Officer (Acting- up)

Overview

An opportunity has arisen internally within Buckinghamshire Council for an ‘acting up role’ for a Principal Planning Officer in Development Management (Core) Team 1. This role would start in the mid-late summer 2026 and would last whilst the current post holder is seconded to another role.  The role will last in total for approximately 9-12 months.

The successful candidate would need to demonstrate as part of their written expression of interest, knowledge, expertise, and experience of dealing with a variety of work and leadership appropriate to the role being advertised.

By joining us as a Principal Planning Officer, you’ll not only be offered a competitive benefits package, you’ll also be part of a team committed to shaping the future of Buckinghamshire for generations to come.

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. 

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate work 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, re-generation and income to support public services.

About the role

Working as part of a friendly team, you’ll be responsible for managing and determining complex planning applications and lead on providing professional advice through all stages of the planning process, including Planning Performance Agreements, S106 negotiations and planning appeals as you provide a high-quality service that is responsive to customer demands.

The role is in DM Core Team 1, which is based at the Gateway Offices in Aylesbury, and includes the market towns of Aylesbury, Winslow and Buckingham. The area covered by the team extends to the boundary with Northamptonshire in the north, Oxfordshire in the west and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire to the East and offers a wide range of opportunities across both urban and rural environments. This area will see significant development over the coming years through the delivery of the strategic housing and employment allocations within the adopted Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan and the proposed new Buckinghamshire wide Local Plan. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential to this role. This is a highly rewarding and fulfilling role - you’ll see the impact of your work in front of you.

With a strong and supportive senior management team behind you, you’ll play a key part in helping us achieve our Planning and Environment Business plan and drive forward our vision as a progressive unitary authority.  

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

Relevant experience within the development management, planning or environmental sector are essential in this Principal Planning Officer role, and you should apply if:

• You have excellent communication skills and experience in dealing with complex customer queries. 
• You come to us with the relevant specialist experience within the service or a related area.
• You have a proven ability to manage a demanding workload
• You are people-focussed and enjoy building new relationships, with the welfare of our residents at the heart of what you do.

Other information

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

Whilst the Team meet and work collaboratively in-person at the Gateway offices every Tuesday there is flexibility to work in our High Wycombe office on other days. Other days can be spent working in the office or from home.

Number of positions available: 1 x acting up role

Closing date: Sunday 9 August 2026

Interview dates: TBC

Interview-type: Structured discussion based on Expression of Interest (EOI), in person only.

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting managers, please contact either Nina Hewitt-Jones, Area Team Leader (Core Team 1) on 01296 585282 [email protected] or Mark Aughterlony, Development Manager (Core) on 01494 732142 [email protected]

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/