Principal Planner | Preston / Hybrid

Salary £46,142 – £51,356 per annum | 37 hours per week | Permanent, Full time | County Hall / Hybrid | Preston, Lancashire

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced principal planning officer to take a key role within a strategic planning service, managing planning application caseloads including major and EIA applications

As a key member of the team you will work alongside the Development Management Manager and Strategic Planning Lead to deliver a responsive timely and high quality planning service across a range of development management matters, sites and projects.

Working within a wider environment service and with a range of internal services and external multidisciplinary partners you will play a key role in shaping developments that support Lancashire's prosperity, well being and environment.

What You Will Do

• Act as a main technical lead on the processing of all aspects of minerals and waste planning applications and planning applications for the county council's own development proposals including planning appeals.
• Provide pre- application advice, preparing screening and scoping opinions and assessment of environmental statements
• Prepare committee reports, attend committee meetings and present planning applications and other planning related matters to elected members of the Council
• Provide advice and assist councillors at committee, site visits and other public meetings.
• Liaise with other services and partner organisations to ensure a robust and compliant approach.

About You

• Is a professionally qualified planner with post-qualification experience
• Has significant experience in development management
• Demonstrates strong organisational, and people management skills
• Has excellent communication, negotiation, and liaison abilities
• Can work to deadlines organise, workloads , and resolve complex issues effectively

Closing Date: 13/09/2026

Interview Date: TBC

Why join us?

By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.

In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:

• A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
• A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
• Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
• Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.

Important Application Information

Please upload a supporting statement (maximum 1000 words) explaining how you meet the criteria for this role, with direct reference to the Job Description and Person Specification. Applications without a supporting statement cannot be shortlisted. A CV alone is not sufficient.

You will be required to provide a car for business use with appropriate insurance. Applicants who cannot drive due to a disability will be considered.

Interviews will take place in person.

The successful candidate will be expected to attend sites throughout Lancashire and work from our Preston office as required.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

How to Apply

Apply direct, or for an informal, confidential discussion about the role, please contact:

Emma Prideaux Strategic Planning Lead

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