Planning Officer

Suffolk County Council are looking for a Planning Officer to join our team in Ipswich. You will join us on a full time, permanent basis (37 hours per week). In return, you will earn a competitive salary of £29,269 - £33,945 per annum.

Full time, part time and job share opportunities will be considered.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Planning Officer to join our Development Management Team. You will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities.

Whether an entry-level Planner, or a more experienced Planning Officer seeking a fresh challenge, with opportunities for continued development and progression, you will be motivated to help us positively shape our environment through fostering sustainable growth and the delivery of the right homes and jobs, in the right places. 

A team player with initiative, you will be solutions-focused with an appetite for effective collaboration with our key stakeholders in implementing our spatial vision for the Districts, as we progress the adoption of our new, joint Local Plan.

About the Planning Officer role:

This is a Career Graded role, offering fantastic opportunities to develop your career within Planning. We're dedicated to fostering professional growth, and for suitable candidates, we offer support for further education up to degree or master's level.

As our Planning Officer you will:

• implement development management and planning decision-making, reflecting the nature of the districts and how they function, in accordance with the councils’ strategies and policies for securing sustainable development
• pro-actively and proportionately enable the making of clear and timely planning decisions, considering the needs of the community, and holding an awareness of the need to uphold the reputation of the councils at all times through delivering excellent customer service
• provide expert advice on all planning and associated matters in committee and appeal settings and represent both councils at a parish and town council level on the implementation of spatial planning decision-making and development management.

About us

Working together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two National Landscapes within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK.

Our ways of working

Work is what we do, not where we go! We are committed to working in a more Hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business needs permitting). This has worked well for us and is something we will be continuing with.

We are committed to supporting equality and diversity, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils provide opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible service for our residents.

Benefits you'll receive: 

• Great opportunities for learning and development
• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Wellbeing Support Program
• Employee Assist Program
• Health Care Options

Closing date: 5pm, 26 April 2024.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this  Planning Officer role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.