Principal Planner - Maldon District Council, Maldon

Maldon District Council is working in partnership with Essex Shared Services to support the recruitment of the role of Principal Planner, a full-time position offering hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Office attendance will be in line with the needs of the Council and the Development Management team, including evening Committees or other meetings where necessary. Check out Maldon's careers page to see what it's like to work for Maldon District Council.

The role is within the Council's Development Management and Planning Enforcement team which is part of the Place, Planning & Growth directorate. This is an exciting time to join the planning team at Maldon District Council. This is a new post, created to help with an increase in planning applications, and to support the team to take a more proactive approach to pre application advice and planning performance agreements.

As an experienced and motivated Principal Planner, you will lead on a varied caseload of major and complex planning applications, mentor junior colleagues and provide professional planning advice to colleagues and stakeholders. The successful candidate will work closely with applicants, Councillors, stakeholders and local communities to ensure development proposals align with planning policy and support sustainable growth. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in development management, excellent communication and negotiation skills and a sound understanding of planning legislation and policy.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Maldon district while developing your career within a supportive and forward-thinking Planning service, alongside colleagues in Planning Enforcement, Housing and Planning Policy.

Please click here to view the full responsibilities and accountabilities of the Principal Planner role.

Be part of Maldon District Council - 'Where Quality of Life Matters'

Maldon District Council is a local authority 'Where quality of life matters'. Our Corporate Plan sets out our vision and priorities for the next three years and will be reviewed regularly to make sure we are on the right track.

To download or listen to a presentation of the Corporate Plan click here

Maldon is a picturesque maritime focused district, set within a vast rural landscape and hosting historic places such as Maldon, Tollesbury and Burnham-on-Crouch, famous for their river frontages, yachting heritage and water sports.

The office is based in the heart of the historic Maldon town, close to the high street with a range of shops, pubs and restaurants, sandwich bars and coffee shops, and the famous Prom Park.

Maldon District Council plays a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the district, working for the good of the community and the long-term benefit of residents, and you can be part of our friendly team. From front line customer facing roles to policy and strategy, the work of the Council is diverse and dynamic.

In addition to a competitive salary, you will be entitled to a range of benefits, including:

• The Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Flexible and agile working
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Discounted local gym membership
• Free parking
• Payment of one annual professional subscription

Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken according to the responsibilities of the role. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, culture and experience. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex, disability or marital status.

Maldon District Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. To demonstrate our commitment, we have been accredited as a Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident Employer we take various actions in order to successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.

For more information on these roles or if you have any questions, please email

Alternatively, you can contact us by phone:

Samantha Myddelton, Business Development Lead:

Thea Towers, Specialist Recruitment Consultant:

We are happy to arrange an informal conversation with Michael Johnson, Maldon District Council's Head of Development Management, who would be pleased to discuss the role with you in more detail.

Essex Shared Services is advertising this role as part of its partnership with Maldon District Council; however, the successful candidate will be employed directly by Maldon District Council.