Applications are now open for experienced professionals to join the Planning Inspectorate as local plan inspectors.
This is one of the largest inspector recruitment drives in recent years, at a pivotal moment for planning in England.
Applications are made through Civil Service Jobs
About the role
Local plans are at the heart of England’s planning system. They set out how communities will develop over the next 10 to 15 years, from housing and employment to infrastructure and environmental protection.
As a planning inspector, you’ll examine these plans to ensure they meet legal requirements and tests of soundness before they’re adopted. You’ll work independently, assess complex evidence, and make recommendations that shape the places where people live and work.
This is a rare opportunity to
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use your planning expertise to influence strategic development across England
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work on varied and complex casework
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enjoy flexible, predominantly home-based working with national travel
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be part of the Civil Service with excellent benefits including a competitive pension scheme and generous annual leave
Who we’re looking for
We’re recruiting inspectors at Band 2 and Band 3 levels. We’re particularly interested in hearing from senior planning professionals with experience in
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local plan preparation or examination
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planning policy, strategy and consultancy
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related chartered professions such as architecture, surveying and law
If you’ve been involved in local plan development or examination, understand the challenges of plan-making, and want to contribute your expertise at a national level, this could be the role for you.
Why now?
Planning reform is a government priority. The government is committed to delivering 1.5 million homes this Parliament and reforming the planning system to support economic growth and infrastructure delivery. Planning inspectors play a crucial role in this mission, examining the local plans that will deliver homes and enable vital infrastructure across England.
We’re expecting a significant increase in local plan submissions from councils. Your expertise will be vital in ensuring these plans are examined effectively and communities can get the certainty they need about their area’s future development.
Why the Planning Inspectorate?
This is an exciting time to join. With unprecedented investment in housing and infrastructure, strong sector growth, and incoming reforms to the planning system, there has never been a better time to be part of shaping England’s future development.
Join us at a pivotal moment for planning
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Be part of significant growth – this recruitment drive represents the largest expansion of the planning inspector profession in decades, offering you the opportunity to join a growing cohort of professionals at a time of unprecedented investment in the sector
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Shape planning reform – play a direct role in implementing the government’s planning reforms and contribute to delivering the homes and infrastructure England needs
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Strong career development – benefit from comprehensive training, ongoing professional development, and excellent networking opportunities within the Planning Inspectorate and wider Civil Service
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Excellent benefits – join the Civil Service with a 28.97% pension scheme, 25 days annual leave rising by one day per year up to 30 days, and the stability of a growing profession in a priority area for government
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Work-life balance – enjoy genuine flexibility with home-based working and control over how you manage your caseload, while maintaining a varied and intellectually stimulating workload
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National opportunities – work across England from wherever you’re based, with travel (expenses covered) built into the role
Salary and benefits
We are recruiting at two levels
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Band 2 £63,859
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Band 3 £77,741
Both roles offer home-based working with flexible arrangements, part-time options (minimum 0.5 FTE), and a 28.97% employer pension contribution.
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Now |
| Drop-in webinar | Tuesday 3 February 2026, 1130am to 1230pm |
| Applications close | Sunday 22 February 2026 at 1155pm |
| Interviews | 9 to 27 March 2026 |
Find out more at our webinar
Join our virtual drop-in session on 3 February to learn more about the role, hear from current inspectors, and get tips on applying. You can participate anonymously with cameras and microphones disabled. The session will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Register for the webinar
Apply now
Applications are made through Civil Service Jobs
Questions?
Contact the recruitment team at [email protected]