Principal Planning Officer
CompanySomerset Council
Location
Taunton, England, United Kingdom
Employment TypeInternship
Posted At4/29/2026
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled
Sponsorship Salary Threshold
£41,700
(£21.38 per hour)
Standard minimum applies
Above analytics are generated algorithmically based on job titles and may not always be the same as the company's job classification. You can also check detailed occupation eligibility, and salary criteria on our UK Visa Eligible Occupations & Salary Thresholds page.
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Description
Salary: £56,528 per annum, which includes a time limited recruitment allowance of £7,246 per annum until 28/02/2027.
Shape the future of Somerset
Join Somerset Council – one of the largest unitary authorities in the country – and work on some of the most varied and high‑profile planning projects in the UK. From major regeneration and nationally significant infrastructure to town centres, rural development and housing growth, you’ll help shape places that matter.
Following local government reorganisation, we’re a single, ambitious council serving nearly 600,000 residents. Our scale and stability offer excellent career development across Development Management, Enforcement, Planning Policy, and Minerals & Waste – including work linked to Hinkley Point C and the Somerset-wide Local Plan.
You’ll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking planning service with embedded flexibility, strong professional support and real opportunities to grow.
What We Offer
Role Summary
As a Principal Planning Officer – Development Manager, you’ll lead on a varied and complex portfolio of planning applications, helping to secure high‑quality development across Somerset. You’ll play a key role in shaping major schemes, balancing planning policy, sustainability, and delivery while working closely with colleagues, developers and communities.
What You'll Do - Key Responsibilities
Shape the future of Somerset
Join Somerset Council – one of the largest unitary authorities in the country – and work on some of the most varied and high‑profile planning projects in the UK. From major regeneration and nationally significant infrastructure to town centres, rural development and housing growth, you’ll help shape places that matter.
Following local government reorganisation, we’re a single, ambitious council serving nearly 600,000 residents. Our scale and stability offer excellent career development across Development Management, Enforcement, Planning Policy, and Minerals & Waste – including work linked to Hinkley Point C and the Somerset-wide Local Plan.
You’ll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking planning service with embedded flexibility, strong professional support and real opportunities to grow.
What We Offer
- High‑profile, complex and varied planning enforcement work
- Clear career development and progression
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Supportive management and a strong learning culture
- Generous leave, pension and wellbeing benefits
Role Summary
As a Principal Planning Officer – Development Manager, you’ll lead on a varied and complex portfolio of planning applications, helping to secure high‑quality development across Somerset. You’ll play a key role in shaping major schemes, balancing planning policy, sustainability, and delivery while working closely with colleagues, developers and communities.
What You'll Do - Key Responsibilities
- Manage and determine major and complex planning applications from pre‑application through to decision and delivery
What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Knowledge of planning legislation and case law relating to pre-application enquiries, planning applications, appeals and enforcement
- Familiarity with IT systems used for data input, report writing and presentations
- Significant experience working at a senior level in Development Management / Placemaking
- Experience managing complex and wide-ranging caseloads and competing workloads to deliver strategic sites and maintain performance
- Experience providing professional advice across a broad range of planning issues, including procedural and process matters
- Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff
- Strong negotiation skills
- Ability to manage complex projects
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected Members
- Advanced communication skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate and problem-solve
- Project Management qualification
- Permanent position, 37 hours a week.
- Flexible and Hybrid working (1-2 days per week in the Office)
- 30 Days annual leave, not including Bank Holidays.
- Extensive CPD and peer support.
- Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for Visa sponsorship.
A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.