Head of Land and Planning Projects

About Us

Advance Northumberland is a diverse property investment & development business, delivering opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council. Whether its support for new and developing businesses, the remediation of challenging brownfield sites, building of large-scale manufacturing units, delivering new purpose-built offices, delivery of major town centre redevelopments, including complex retail developments, leisure facilities or the delivery of high-quality market sale and affordable housing it can all be found in this unique regeneration company.   We work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners, delivering positive physical and economic development.  Focusing on the needs and aspirations of the county, addressing economic, housing and infrastructure challenges whilst capitalising on Northumberland’s significant assets and opportunities. We deliver a comprehensive regeneration capability to improve the County’s economic prosperity, regenerate communities, improve liveability and create a more connected and aspirational County.

In doing so, we will support a broader county-wide assets-based approach to promote economic growth and an improved quality of life for its communities. Building on the opportunities emerging from North of the Tyne and Borderlands initiatives to enhance its regeneration impact, taking its lead from Northumberland County Council, and working in collaboration with key partners.  Advance Northumberland Projects , coordinate all of the groups Project activity through the Advance Northumberland Project Framework  process. The team also provide Project, Planning and Quality Management services to the rest of the group and deliver our own internal capital programme.

In addition,  the team carry out work on behalf of Northumberland County Council to improve Northumberland for businesses and residents. Recent projects have included new award winning leisure centres in Morpeth and Berwick,  Regeneration of Blyth Town centre Redevelopment of Bedlington town centre; and Northumberland Energy Park. The land and planning team are now at the heart of our business continuing to secure the pipeline of land for Ascent Homes and now increasing their scope of activity to cover commercial, industrial and BNG land opportunities. We are now seeking a Head of Land and Planning to lead this area of the business into an exciting period of growth as we deliver our new 5 year business plan.

The Role -Head of Land and Planning
Salary: £61,258 - £80,000 depending on experience 

Reporting to the Director of Projects, the Head of Land and Planning will play a key role in land identification, acquisition and disposal across the group, securing planning consent for strategic and immediate land opportunities to support the organisation’s business plan objectives. The postholder will play a key role in the delivery of Advance Northumberland’s land acquisition and disposal strategy. This will include land for the delivery of residential and Commercial developments and land suitable for use as Bio-diversity Net Gain. Lead the Planning team to set planning strategies and manage the coordination, submission and monitoring of planning applications from submission to final discharge of conditions. Build strategic partnerships with internal and external customers, including officer and Councilor representatives from NCC, Advance Northumberland Board, professional bodies, contractors, Registered Providers and the community to ensure strategies are joined up and aligned with wider plans.

Benefits

We care about our colleagues and their wellbeing and have been nationally recognised for this. Apart from the competitive salary, we also have fantastic benefits. We focus on our colleague’s health, wealth, and lifestyle. We like to think our benefits package is one of the best around! Here is an example below on what you can expect.

• Annual leave - Start with 26 days, increasing to 31 days with service. Of course, you’ll have public holidays too!
• Pension - Generous employer contributions of 8%. You pay 2%, although you can choose to pay more if you want.
• Financial Benefits - Enjoy the security of free life assurance, an employee referral scheme (earning £1,000 per recruited referral), and our Cash plan App with discounts and cashback at top retailers. Free on-site parking at all locations.
• Performance Related Incentive Scheme – subject to achievement of company and individual performance targets, annual incentive payable.
• Wellbeing & Lifestyle Services - Access our colleague assistance programme with 24/7 support, GP services, mental health support and, dental and optical plus a range of other health therapies. We also have a cycle to work scheme and home electronics schemes, both of which are salary exchange, so you pay less National Insurance. We have extensive health campaigns from our award-winning Better Health at work team.
• Motoring Benefits - Take advantage of exclusive employee vehicle-leasing schemes, through NHS Fleet.
• Hybrid Working – We offer the capacity to work on a hybrid basis, with four days in the office / on site. Of course, initially you might be in the office more, whilst you get to know your colleagues and our activities in more detail.

To apply:

Please send a letter of application and your CV, stating why you want to work for us and what you’d bring to the role, please send these to: workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

For an informal discussion, please contact: Andrew Mowbray, Director of Projects on 07966324361, closing date for applications: 21^st July 2025 at 10.00am, Interviews will be held on 28^th July 2025.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. If you wish to withdraw your consent for us to process your application, please email us at: workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

 NO AGENCIES PLEASE