Principal Planning Officer - Development Management

Role Responsibility

Are you an experienced planning professional seeking to apply your expertise to some of the most significant and high-profile development proposals considered by Kent County Council’s Planning Applications Group.
This is a rare opportunity to develop specialist expertise in minerals and waste planning in a highly valued area of planning practice that supports sustainable growth and essential infrastructure. It is also a superb opportunity to gain wider experience in a specialist area of planning.
You will manage a varied caseload of minerals and waste development applications and support the determination of applications for the County Council's own infrastructure and development projects, helping to deliver schools, community facilities and key infrastructure across Kent.
You will assess some of our most significant and complex development proposals, prepare and present reports to Members and Planning Committee and represent the Council at planning appeals, hearings, inquiries and legal proceedings, including as an expert witness where required. You will also support and develop colleagues, through technical guidance, mentoring and quality assurance.
You will have strong development management expertise, including major developments, EIA development and Appropriate Assessment and the ability to exercise sound professional judgement in complex cases. You will demonstrate strong political awareness within a development management environment, understand the County Council’s role, have a knowledge of current and emerging planning legislation, policy and guidance and have a proven ability to work with and engage effectively with applicants, consultees, Members and other stakeholders.
You will hold a relevant degree (or equivalent) in planning or a related environmental or legal discipline and be a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or be eligible for Chartered Membership.
You will have knowledge and experience of minerals and/or waste development and/or community development and demonstrable experience in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), EIA development and Appropriate Assessment Development.
We recognise that minerals and waste planning is a very specialist field and we welcome applications from experienced planners with transferable skills from development management who are looking to broaden their expertise in this rewarding area of practice. You will gain experience in a niche field that is highly valued across the planning profession, offering excellent career prospects and transferable skills.
Based at County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, we offer hybrid working (subject to business needs), typically combining two days a week in the office with home working. The successful candidate will need to live within a reasonable commuting distance of Kent, as the role requires regular attendance at County Hall and travel to sites and meetings across the county, including to locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport.
This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.
This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
If you are interested in applying, please complete and submit an online application form. Please note that the qualifications, knowledge and experience criteria in the job description person specification will be used in shortlisting. Applicants should describe in their application how they meet these criteria.
We are also advertising for a Senior Planning Officer – Planning Applications and Mineral & Waste Planning Policy. If you are interested in applying for both roles, please submit a separate application in relation to each position.
Interviews for the shortlisted candidates will be held in Sessions House, Maidstone.

Contact Details

If you require further information about the role please contact:
Sharon Thompson, Head of Planning Applications Group via email Sharon.Thompson@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.

Job Description & Person Specification

JD PPO DM Aug 2026.pdf