Development Plan Lead

Starting salary for this role is £53,460 (pro rata for part-time colleagues)

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.

The existing Planning Policy Manager and Development Plan Lead at BCP Council have gained such diverse, depth of knowledge and experience, that they have achieved their ambition of becoming Local Plan Planning Inspectors!

Consequently, we are seeking a Development Plan Lead, someone experienced in preparing and delivering Local Plans. It’s an exciting time to join our organisation - at the start of the preparation of the Local Plan.

Born out of Local Government Re-organisation in 2019, BCP Council is the 10th largest urban local authority in England. We are still a new organisation, but we are maturing quickly, and we will not be undergoing further local government re-organisation in the coming months.

Your new role

The Development Plan Lead will be focussed on leading and co-ordinating the development and delivery of our Local Plan.

BCP Council is seeking an ambitious and team motivating individual to be a part of their journey in planning for the future growth and prosperity of the region.

We are looking for someone with the desire to make an impact, problem solve and feel confident sharing their ideas and listening to the ideas of others.

The Council’s team ethos is one which encourages collaboration and contribution towards how the Council delivers their planning service, to best serve the interests of the community and region.

For more details about the job, see the general job role profile and Development Plan Lead specific addendum.

For queries about this role, please contact Caroline Peach, Head of Strategic Planning at caroline.peach@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

We encourage early applications. We may choose to close the advert early if there are a choice number of high quality applicants.

We currently have 2 live roles available in Planning, please inform us in the application form if you would be interested in both positions.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead on the preparation of the statutory Local Plan or other related planning policy documents, to ensure that a cohesive plan is produced in line with requirements. This involves allocating activities, monitoring workload, reviewing quality of work produced, engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including the Planning Inspectorate, and ensuring progress against deadlines.
• Lead on identifying issues, research requirements and latest national legislation and policies relating to the Local Plan to ensure that these are considered within policy development.
• Lead on the design and formulation of consultation exercises and promote opportunities for the public, to scrutinise, engage with and contribute to the Local Plan and planning policy, so that the Council can understand and consider the community's needs and wishes in an effective manner.
• Negotiate with external agencies and developers to ensure that necessary infrastructure and is delivered in a timely manner to support housing growth.
• Act as the senior expert witness, representing the Council in public examinations and planning inquiries to defend the Council’s proposed or adopted policies.
• Be aware of and make constructive use of new technology solutions for plan making and other policy work.

Note: Reference in the general role profile to “Relevant project management qualification, e.g. PRINCE2, APM or equivalent” and “Substantial knowledge of project management methodologies” are not a requirements for the Development Plan Lead role.

What you'll need to succeed

• Specialist qualifications and experience in Town Planning and chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Extensive experience of managing the Local Plan production and preparation of planning policies.
• Extensive experience in acting as an expert witness and senior planning expert at public examination, planning inquiries and to committees.
• Ability to plan and manage highly complex, statutory and technical planning policy workload and adapt to changing circumstances and use of technology.
• Ability to: influence, persuade and make recommendations based on technical or specialist knowledge, and to provide authoritative professional planning advice and guidance.
• Personal qualities, knowledge, skills experience and attributes as set out in the general job role profile and Development Plan Lead specific addendum.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

With over 15 miles of beautiful, world-renowned coastline, the area has excellent transport links, with rail and road connections nationally and to London, as well as international flights from Bournemouth Airport.

BCP Council has ambitious plans for growth to meet its housing and other development needs. This therefore represents one of the most exciting planning opportunities in the country where you will perform a key role in helping to deliver outstanding planning outcomes that achieve the appropriate balance between meeting growth ambitions and respecting the area’s outstanding natural and historic built environment.

We are looking for people who want to prepare the Local Plan for the BCP area from the beginning - shaping development for the next 15 years. We have a big challenge ahead, with the potential for big opportunities: significant housing growth to support more affordable housing and transport options that will need to address the movement requirements of a growing conurbation. We have opportunities to regenerate both Poole and Bournemouth Town Centres in particular.

As we continue to modernise, we are looking for people to support our digital journey and help us to find new and better ways to work.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work.

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.

It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP

Our Benefits

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at Employee benefits | Working for BCP

Note - We are not offering relocation expenses for this role.

Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you

More About us | Working for BCP