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About this job

PERMANENT: FULL TIME, 37 HOURS PER WEEK
SALARY: £41,511 to £44,711
LOCATION: TIVERTON

Mid Devon District Council has started preparing a new Local Plan that will bring forward homes, jobs, community facilities and infrastructure to meet our needs while protecting a high quality natural environment. The Local Plan will have a key role in planning for economic growth, responding to the climate emergency and moving towards net-zero carbon future.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning policy officer to take a lead role across a range of projects and help us plan for the future of the district through a reformed plan making system, working in an attractive rural area close to the city of Exeter and within easy reach of the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, Blackdown Hills National Landscape and the north and south Devon coasts.

We are looking for someone who has significant experience in the preparation of local plans and other planning documents, including writing policies and identifying site options, developing technical evidence and studies (including procuring consultants), and liaising with other service areas in the Council and engagement with a range of stakeholders including statutory consultees and agencies, Town and Parish Councils and local communities. You will have a sound understanding of plan making legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework.

To be successful in this role you must have ambition to deliver amazing places, have a positive approach to challenges, problem solving, and the ability to use your initiative, be able to innovate and seek creative solutions to planning for new homes and jobs and securing the delivery of infrastructure.

You should hold a Planning Degree and have membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

To find out more

To find out more about this role please contact Tristan Peat, Forward Planning Team Leader on (01884) 234344.

For full details please read the Job Description and Person Specification - PRINCIPAL FORWARD PLANNING OFFICER 

The Job Description refers to the level of competencies required for this post. For an explanation of what this means, please see Core Competencies.

A satisfactory basic disclosure check and three years complete employment history will be requested in the event of you being offered the position.

Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor skilled worker visas at this time. For more information on pre-employment checks, please review the documents found here.

How to apply

Please download and complete our Job Application Form and send to Opportunities@middevon.gov.uk. Alternatively, print and send by post to:

People Services
Mid Devon District Council
Phoenix House
Phoenix Lane
Tiverton, Devon
EX16 6PP

Please remember to quote the following post and vacancy numbers:

CLOSING DATE:  14 July 2025 at 5:00pm
POST NUMBER: PF09
VACANCY NUMBER: 2025075
PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: w/c 4 & 11 August 2025

MDDC reserves the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage early applications.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.  We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

We're committed to Equality of Opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

If we've not contacted you within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

Thank you for showing an interest in this vacancy and we wish you every success with your on-going job search.