£38 Per Hour
Full Time
Temporary
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Public Sector And Council
Posted 2 hours ago
Expires In 29 Days
Job Description
Principal Planner
Buckinghamshire Council – Walton Street, Aylesbury HP20 1UA
Duration-Temporary for 4 months (with the potential for an extension)
Pay-£38ph (£50ph Umbrella)
Hours-37 hours per week | Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (flexible)
Location- Remote but requires regular county-wide site visits
Ready to lead on major developments and shape growth across Buckinghamshire?
Pertemps Recruitment is proud to be working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council to recruit an experienced Principal Planner.
This opportunity has arisen due to internal promotion, and the Council is seeking an experienced professional who can step straight into a high-profile caseload and provide immediate impact within the Development Management service.
The Role
The Principal Planner will be responsible for managing a complex caseload of planning applications, including major and allocated sites across residential and commercial developments. You will lead on non-statutory advice, Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs), and provide guidance through all stages of the planning process.
You will engage with developers, professional agents, parish and town councils, local communities, senior officers, and other stakeholders, ensuring high-quality professional advice is delivered in a timely manner. Regular site visits across Buckinghamshire are an essential part of this role, so a full driving licence is required.
This position also includes some supervisory responsibilities, supporting and mentoring junior officers, and deputising for the Planning Team Leader when required.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage complex planning applications, including major and allocated sites
• Provide professional planning advice and lead on Planning Performance Agreements
• Undertake Section 106 negotiations to secure developer contributions
• Prepare detailed reports recommending decisions for both delegated and committee applications
• Represent the Council in planning matters at public meetings, Parish Councils, and other stakeholder forums
• Supervise and support junior officers, including reviewing work and facilitating knowledge sharing
• Undertake regular site visits across the county to monitor developments
• Support the delivery of a customer-focused, commercially aware service
• Contribute to the achievement of the Planning and Environment Business Plan and performance targets
About You
We are looking for an experienced Principal Planner who can hit the ground running in a fast-paced local authority environment.
You will have:
• Substantial experience managing complex planning applications in a local authority or similar setting
• Excellent knowledge of planning law, NPPF, TCPA, and local plan policies
• Strong negotiation, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience of supervising and mentoring junior staff
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet statutory deadlines
• Full driving licence (required for site visits)
• RTPI membership or working towards it
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant planning or built environment discipline
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with customers and stakeholders at all levels
Why Join?
Buckinghamshire Council
You’ll join a progressive planning service within a unitary authority built on being Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy. Your expertise will directly influence sustainable growth and community outcomes across the county.
You can expect:
• A senior-level caseload with strategic impact
• Flexible hybrid working
• Exposure to significant commercial and residential schemes
• A professional and supportive team environment
• Potential contract extension
Pertemps
As a contractor with Pertemps — one of the UK’s largest independent recruitment agencies — you’ll receive dedicated consultant support and a trusted partnership approach throughout your assignment.
Buckinghamshire Council – Walton Street, Aylesbury HP20 1UA
Duration-Temporary for 4 months (with the potential for an extension)
Pay-£38ph (£50ph Umbrella)
Hours-37 hours per week | Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (flexible)
Location- Remote but requires regular county-wide site visits
Ready to lead on major developments and shape growth across Buckinghamshire?
Pertemps Recruitment is proud to be working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council to recruit an experienced Principal Planner.
This opportunity has arisen due to internal promotion, and the Council is seeking an experienced professional who can step straight into a high-profile caseload and provide immediate impact within the Development Management service.
The Role
The Principal Planner will be responsible for managing a complex caseload of planning applications, including major and allocated sites across residential and commercial developments. You will lead on non-statutory advice, Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs), and provide guidance through all stages of the planning process.
You will engage with developers, professional agents, parish and town councils, local communities, senior officers, and other stakeholders, ensuring high-quality professional advice is delivered in a timely manner. Regular site visits across Buckinghamshire are an essential part of this role, so a full driving licence is required.
This position also includes some supervisory responsibilities, supporting and mentoring junior officers, and deputising for the Planning Team Leader when required.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage complex planning applications, including major and allocated sites
• Provide professional planning advice and lead on Planning Performance Agreements
• Undertake Section 106 negotiations to secure developer contributions
• Prepare detailed reports recommending decisions for both delegated and committee applications
• Represent the Council in planning matters at public meetings, Parish Councils, and other stakeholder forums
• Supervise and support junior officers, including reviewing work and facilitating knowledge sharing
• Undertake regular site visits across the county to monitor developments
• Support the delivery of a customer-focused, commercially aware service
• Contribute to the achievement of the Planning and Environment Business Plan and performance targets
About You
We are looking for an experienced Principal Planner who can hit the ground running in a fast-paced local authority environment.
You will have:
• Substantial experience managing complex planning applications in a local authority or similar setting
• Excellent knowledge of planning law, NPPF, TCPA, and local plan policies
• Strong negotiation, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience of supervising and mentoring junior staff
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet statutory deadlines
• Full driving licence (required for site visits)
• RTPI membership or working towards it
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant planning or built environment discipline
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with customers and stakeholders at all levels
Why Join?
Buckinghamshire Council
You’ll join a progressive planning service within a unitary authority built on being Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy. Your expertise will directly influence sustainable growth and community outcomes across the county.
You can expect:
• A senior-level caseload with strategic impact
• Flexible hybrid working
• Exposure to significant commercial and residential schemes
• A professional and supportive team environment
• Potential contract extension
Pertemps
As a contractor with Pertemps — one of the UK’s largest independent recruitment agencies — you’ll receive dedicated consultant support and a trusted partnership approach throughout your assignment.