Principal Planning Officer (Affordable Housing)

We’re on the Up!

At a time where Council’s resources are being restricted and budgets reduced we are bucking the trend and growing our Planning Service. West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils are shared authorities with an exciting, innovative, and forward-looking delivery model. We have an Improvement Plan for our Planning Service fully endorsed by the Councils’ Members and Senior Management team which is delivering and developing our service with performance enhanced, alongside a positive and supportive work force.

South Hams District Council & West Devon Borough Council have declared a Housing Crisis and the Council is serious about addressing this imbalance and wishes to accelerate affordable housing delivery. The Affordable Housing Principal Planner role is pivotal to the Council’s ambition to help provide more affordable housing. The post holder will lead on behalf of the Planning Service Pre-applications and Planning applications for affordable led housing schemes taking a focused approach to enabling delivery through the planning system. The post holder will also help formulate and develop the strategy for affordable housing delivery going forward in terms of the Joint Local Plan they will also provide technical planning advice and support to the Housing Service and its partners who are at the forefront of strategic partnership working, to deliver more affordable housing on the ground.

The Affordable Housing Principal Planner will also play a key role in supporting the Heads of Development Management to deliver an effective Development Management service that seeks to conserve and enhance the natural and built environment across South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils, making a positive difference to local places, businesses and residents across the District/Borough.

The successful candidate will work closely with other Principal and Senior Planning Officers and DM Business Support Officers in the Development Management team, providing advice and guidance to support the development of the team, with a specific focus on affordable housing strategy as part of this. As a Planning Officer within Planning (Development Management), you should be qualified to degree level (or equivalent) within a Planning related discipline and be a member of the RTPI.  You will have previous experience in Development Management with the ability to lead on major and complex pre-applications and planning applications. A strong understanding of Affordable housing  and Section 106  negotiations is also important. You will be committed to delivering high quality developments whilst ensuring performance and excellent customer service is maintained at all times. 

In return, we can offer an environment which is supportive, where innovation is sought and efficiency is key. We also offer the following benefits:

• Flexible working options (including remote working)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Staff benefit schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme

For an informal discussion, or for further details about the role please contact  

Ali Wagstaff Assistant Director Planning on 01803 861455 or via email: Alistair.wagstaff@swdevon.gov.uk

Jac Houslander Head of Development Management West Devon on 01803 861551or via email: jacqueline.houslander@swdevon.gov.uk or Pat Whymer on 01803 861396 or via email: patrick.whymer@swdevon.gov.uk.