Principal Policy Planners

Principal Policy Planner (Infrastructure) x1 - 12 months fixed term contract

Are you a Principal Policy Planner looking for a new challenge or an experienced Senior Planner looking for more responsibility? If so, we are seeking two highly motivated Principal Policy Planners to lead on a range of important projects.

We tackle a wide range of ambitious projects, more so than other planning services, covering pressing urban, rural, environmental and economic challenges. For example we are currently tackling some of the most pressing issues facing our region, from water scarcity and unprecedented economic development to major infrastructure projects like East West Rail. We are also dedicated to reducing inequality and impacts on climate, preserving the unique character of our area and enabling nature to thrive.

In these roles, you will lead on a number of complex planning matters, using your expertise and experience in planning policy and the plan making process, including preparing and commissioning evidence base documents, representing the councils and our interests at external meetings and working within a supportive team in drafting the new Local Plan . You will also foster a collaborative working environment by effectively communicating with colleagues and stakeholders as well as manage and support team members, empowering them to deliver our projects whilst also fulfilling their potential.
Fixed Term Roles

Infrastructure: We are particularly interested to hear from people that have experience in infrastructure, developer contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy for the fixed term infrastructure position. We have a number of challenging, yet exciting projects that would benefit from your expertise in navigating these complex projects.

East West Rail / Site Allocations: We are looking for a Cambourne lead role to project manage the preparation of a potential site allocation for an expanded Cambourne. The role will include leading on procuring and managing a range of evidence bases to inform the draft allocation, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders This is an exciting opportunity to lead on a project that will shape the future of this part of Greater Cambridge and this nationally significant infrastructure project.
About the Planning Policy and Strategy team
The Planning Policy and Strategy team is currently working on a wide range of projects, including developing the first joint Local Plan in an area with the fastest growing city economy in the country, incorporating major regeneration schemes and new developments. We also have clear environmental ambitions and undertaken pioneering work on climate change and meeting net zero carbon to inform our policy development. The team also deals with the Councils' input to the development of significant infrastructure schemes that are prepared by external bodies, including the East West Rail project.

If you have the ambition to embrace the exciting challenges of this busy Shared Planning Service, there is no better place to develop your career. These roles provide you with an unparalleled opportunity to work on some of the most innovative developments in the UK with a group of passionate, supportive and dedicated colleagues.
About the Shared Planning Service

The award-winning Greater Cambridge Planning Service offers a unique opportunity to work in an area experiencing strong economic growth, that is home to world-renowned universities, hospitals and cutting-edge science.

We are a planning service of around 150 people that work on a wide range of projects covering both Cambridge City, nationally important technology and life science employment parks and over 100 villages across South Cambridgeshire. Our Delivery teams assess over 7,000 planning applications each year, from householder applications for extensions and work within the Cambridge Colleges to new settlements and nationally significant infrastructure projects like East West Rail. The specialist design, landscape, ecology and conservation officers in the Built and Natural Environment team play a key role in getting the best development outcomes for the built, historic and natural environment, whilst the Planning Policy and Strategy team are preparing a new joint Local Plan that ensures new growth is supported by infrastructure, open space and delivers on our climate ambitions. To help meet these challenges we are looking for people to come and join us across the planning
service, whether you are at the start of your planning career or looking for a new challenge. If what we do sounds interesting to you, keep an eye out for our current vacancies over the next 8 weeks on our website or follow Greater Cambridge Planning on LinkedIn.
About South Cambridgeshire District Council

As an organisation, South Cambridgeshire District Council (which hosts the shared planning service) believes that our people are our greatest assets. We know how important it is to find a job where you feel valued but also have the flexibility to allow you to balance your work/family commitments in an organisation that offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme.


• 25 days holiday entitlement (increasing to 30 after five years continuous service).


• Career progression.


• Development opportunities as well as ongoing training.



• Flexible hybrid working arrangements are positively encouraged, with working from home alongside our Cambourne and Cambridge City Centre office locations, including regular 'together days' where team members can work together in either office to benefit from collaborative working.


We are currently taking part in a 4 day working week (32 hours per week) to improve recruitment and retention and support the wellbeing of our colleagues. You can read more about it here 4-day week trial or talk to us about the detail of this flexible benefit we have been offering.