Location:     Bainbridge, near Leyburn, with potential for blended home and office working

Contract:     Permanent and full time (37 hours per week)

Salary:         £37,280 to £41,771, per annum plus a market rate supplement of £2,000 per annum

Are you an experienced planner looking for a role where your work will have a lasting impact? Join the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and help shape development in one of the UK's most spectacular landscapes. This is a rare chance to apply your planning expertise in a place where every decision helps balance the needs of communities, businesses and the environment.

As part of our Development Management team, you'll play a key role in supporting sustainable development while protecting the special qualities that make the Yorkshire Dales such a distinctive and cherished place.

About Us

We are the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, an organisation that protects, enhances and promotes the immense beauty, wildlife and character of the Yorkshire Dales. Set against expansive heather moorland tops, each valley has its own distinct charm, from crags and waterfalls to an underground labyrinth of caves. 

We believe good planning can deliver high-quality homes, support local businesses, tackle climate change, contribute to nature recovery and help communities thrive. If you're a positive problem solver with excellent planning skills and an interest in shaping sustainable rural development, we'd love to hear from you.

The Benefits

• Generous leave: 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Pension: Local Government Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Flexible working: Flexi-time scheme
• Wellbeing benefits: Subsidised healthcare scheme, cycle to work scheme and staff discounts
• Free parking pass for our car parks
• Relocation allowance available

The Role

You'll join a friendly and experienced team responsible for delivering development management services across one of the country's most important protected landscapes.

Working closely with applicants, communities, elected Members and colleagues, you'll help secure high-quality development that conserves the National Park's special qualities while supporting the housing and economic needs of local communities.

Reporting to the Principal Planning Officer, you will:

• Manage a varied and interesting caseload of planning applications
• Provide professional planning advice across a wide range of proposals
• Negotiate positive and practical planning solutions
• Handle applications and appeals in accordance with established procedures
• Present recommendations to the Planning Committee
• Represent the Authority at public inquiries and hearings

About You

You’ll already have experience in development management and a good understanding of the legislative, procedural and policy framework within which the planning system operates and the requirements for negotiating S.106 agreements.

You’ll also bring:

• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or be working towards accreditation
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• The ability to balance competing priorities and make sound professional judgements
• A positive and collaborative approach to problem solving

Access to a car or access to a means of mobility support to meet the travel demands of the post (if driving must have a current valid driving licence and appropriate business insurance) is essential.

Join Our Team!

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

For an informal chat about this vacancy, please contact Ian Nesbit, Principal Planning Officer, on 01969 652340 or [email protected] 

 Closing date:11pm on Sunday, 16 August 2026