Principal Planning Officer
| Posting date: | 19 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £48,072 to £54,994 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 June 2026 |
| Location: | Macclesfield, Cheshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Cheshire East |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | E3586 |
Summary
Are you an experienced planning professional looking for a new opportunity or ready for the next step in your career? We are looking for a Principal Planning Officer to join our well-established Development Management team at Cheshire East. You will manage a caseload of major planning applications, supervise a small team of planning officers and sign-off delegated planning applications. You will be at the heart of strategic place-making in the Borough, managing a wide variety of commercial and residential development proposals and pre-application discussions.
About the role
This is a senior position within our Development Management team. You will manage a caseload of major planning applications and mentor a small team of planning officers. The job involves presenting to planning committee and representing the Council at planning appeal. You will have the responsibility to authorise planning application decisions on behalf of the Council under delegated powers. Working on a wide range of exciting development proposals, you will play a lead role in negotiating solutions to achieve sustainable place-making.
This is just a snapshot of some of the exciting things you’ll be doing in role, to find out more about the other key responsibilities of the role please view the attached job description.
About you
You will be an experienced planning officer with in-depth knowledge of the planning system, have experience of presenting to planning committee and leading negotiations on complex and major planning applications.
A team player and someone who leads by example with high professional standards and an eye for detail.
You will have the ability to work effectively to meet challenging deadlines and competing & changing priorities.
You must be customer focused, have strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
You should be qualified to degree level within Planning or a related discipline and be working towards or eligible for RTPI membership.
Above all you must have a passion and commitment to sustainable place-making.
To find out more about the essential and desirable criteria for the role please view the attached job description and specification document.
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.
We are working for a brighter future – together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.
If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.
To join our team, simply click ‘Apply for this job’ at the bottom of the page. If you’d prefer an informal chat first or have any questions about the role, feel free to reach out to Peter Hooley at: peter.hooley@cheshireeast.gov.uk, they’ll be happy to hear from you!
Applicants should ensure all sections of the application form are completed as failure to do so will result in their application being rejected. Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however, please do not be discouraged from applying again.
For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk
Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.
About the role
This is a senior position within our Development Management team. You will manage a caseload of major planning applications and mentor a small team of planning officers. The job involves presenting to planning committee and representing the Council at planning appeal. You will have the responsibility to authorise planning application decisions on behalf of the Council under delegated powers. Working on a wide range of exciting development proposals, you will play a lead role in negotiating solutions to achieve sustainable place-making.
This is just a snapshot of some of the exciting things you’ll be doing in role, to find out more about the other key responsibilities of the role please view the attached job description.
About you
You will be an experienced planning officer with in-depth knowledge of the planning system, have experience of presenting to planning committee and leading negotiations on complex and major planning applications.
A team player and someone who leads by example with high professional standards and an eye for detail.
You will have the ability to work effectively to meet challenging deadlines and competing & changing priorities.
You must be customer focused, have strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
You should be qualified to degree level within Planning or a related discipline and be working towards or eligible for RTPI membership.
Above all you must have a passion and commitment to sustainable place-making.
To find out more about the essential and desirable criteria for the role please view the attached job description and specification document.
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.
We are working for a brighter future – together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.
If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.
To join our team, simply click ‘Apply for this job’ at the bottom of the page. If you’d prefer an informal chat first or have any questions about the role, feel free to reach out to Peter Hooley at: peter.hooley@cheshireeast.gov.uk, they’ll be happy to hear from you!
Applicants should ensure all sections of the application form are completed as failure to do so will result in their application being rejected. Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however, please do not be discouraged from applying again.
For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk
Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.