Job Description:

Senior Planning Officer (Development Management)

Location: Brecon

Salary: £41,177 - £44,253 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full time (37 hours per annum)

Closing Date: 21st of September 2026

National Parks were designated in order to protect beautiful areas for the benefit of the nation. They came about as a result of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which put a legislative framework in place for the establishment of National Parks in England and Wales.

The first two National Parks were designated in 1951 and in 1957 the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park was designated covering an area of some 520 square miles (1346 sq. kilometres). Until 1995 the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority was a joint committee of the then local County Councils until the Environment Act of that year laid down legislation to establish National Park Authorities as independent, special purpose Local Authorities.

Job Purpose:

• To deal with all aspects of Planning development management casework in the National Park and on the fringes of the National Park
• To assist the Principal Planning Officers in managing the Planning Development Management function in order to deliver a quality planning service, to achieve and maintain high levels of performance.
• To help to ensure that the Authority’s statutory responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Government legislation, policy, procedure and guidance and accord with National Park statutory purposes.
• To help to ensure that the Planning service is efficient, effective, responsive, fair, inclusive and open to examination

MAIN DUTIES

• Undertake the processing of Development Control casework, including but not limited to complex and major planning and related applications, advertisement consents, conservation area consent. listed building consent applications and planning enforcement matters.
• Carry out site inspections, supervision and instructions in respect of consultations, preparation of reports and recommendations. Presentation of nondelegated applications and other development control related matters to Planning Committee.
• Peer review delegated decision reports and planning contravention notices on behalf of the Principal Planning Officers and the Head of Development Management in line with the Scheme of Delegation.
• To undertake when appropriate, EIA screening and provide EIA screening and scoping opinions formally on behalf of the Authority.
• Negotiating with agents, developers, internal consultees and statutory bodies in respect of all planning related work, including development plan preparation, planning applications, pre-application enquiries, the negotiation of Section 106 Agreements and providing design and sustainable development advice.
• Dealing with preliminary and formal pre-application enquiries in respect of developments within the National Park and major developments on the fringes of the National Park

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria

• A recognised qualification, degree or equivalent in Town and Country Planning or a related discipline
• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in Development Management in the public or private sector
• Good knowledge of planning policy, related legislation and procedures Ability to work on own initiative & organise workload effectively
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good communication, interpersonal and report writing skills including proof reading
• Ability to organise meetings with appropriate follow-up work
• Ability to research, interpret and analyse a variety of complex data
• An ability to work as part of a team and to mentor and support colleagues as a point of reference on planning related issues
• The ability to mentor and train junior members of staff
• A good telephone manner and ability to deal diplomatically with the public, National Park Members and staff
• Current driving licence
• Welsh Level 1

Desirable Criteria

• Membership of the RTPI
• Knowledge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and its statutory
• Familiarity with Sustainability Appraisals
• Current driving licence
• Welsh Level 2

Note on Welsh Language Requirement Please note: If you do not meet the Welsh language Requirements specified, then the Authority offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these requirements during your employment with us.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application