Head of Planning Policy - Preston City Council

Image: view of the refurbished Preston bus and coach station- courtesy Gareth Gardner / Buro Happold

HEAD OF PLANNING POLICY - Preston City Council

Salary: £55,224 – £56,293 per annum - pay award pending 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Preston City Council is looking to recruit a Head of Planning Policy for its Development and Housing Directorate.

Preston is at an unprecedented stage in its development. With widespread public sector city centre regeneration projects underway, a new commercial quarter planned at Preston station and the ongoing implementation of the multi-award-winning City Living Strategy alongside the delivery of thousands of new homes and major infrastructure investment and delivery through the City Deal, Preston has developed a new confidence for positive change.

The Council is in the final stages of reviewing its Development Plan, working in partnership with South Ribble and Chorley Councils on a single spatial strategy for Central Lancashire. However, looking ahead, the Council is about to embark on an exciting new journey through Local Government Reorganisation which will involve new partnership working on strategic planning within the larger unitary authority. This is an exciting role within the Council, at the heart of major transformation of the city.

The Head of Planning Policy will provide effective leadership to the Planning Policy team and will be the principal advisor to officers, Members and stakeholders on planning policy matters.

We are looking for someone who is MRTPI qualified with extensive post qualification experience in the planning profession, who can foster strong team and partnership working, and has supervisory experience.

You will be organised, self-motivated but have the ability to work as part of a highly collaborative team.

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working following probation, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares and a cycle to work scheme.

Location Town Hall

Salary £55,224 to £56,293 per annum

Post Type Full Time

Contract Type Permanent

Closing Date 23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 01 November 2026

Reference DEPP01001-2