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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage planning applications and support community development in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Chorley Council, dedicated to enhancing local communities and services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid working, healthcare cash plan, and flexible arrangements.
- Why this job: Shape your community while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning required; experience in customer-focused service is a plus.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and mentoring within a collaborative team.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.
About The Role
Location: Union Street, Chorley
Contract: Full time (36.25 hours per week) / Permanent
Salary: ÂŁ31,537 - ÂŁ40,777
Closing Date: 22 March 2026
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Planning Officer to join our Development Management team. This is a career grade post, offering an excellent opportunity for professional development and progression as your skills and experience grow. You will play a key role in delivering an efficient, high‑quality Development Management service, helping to shape places and communities across the borough.
What you’ll be getting up to
- At Level 7, you will:
- Manage householder and minor planning applications
- Prepare reports and provide planning advice
- Assist with planning appeals and public inquiries
- Support investigations into breaches of planning control
- Work closely with colleagues to deliver a responsive, customer‑focused service
- At Level 10, you will additionally:
- Handle a mixed caseload including more complex minor and small‑scale major applications
- Lead on planning appeals, including written representations and hearings
- Present applications to Planning Committee
- Provide expert advice and briefings to elected Members and senior officers
- Negotiate high‑quality outcomes, including securing Section 106 contributions
- Mentor and support junior officers
- Contribute to planning policy, masterplans and development briefs
Who we’re looking for
- Qualifications
- Level 7: Degree or Diploma in Town Planning
- Level 10: Master’s in Planning or other relevant qualification
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Eligibility for full membership of the RTPI
- Experience
- Delivering an efficient, customer‑focused service
- Level 10: Experience of appeals and responsibility for minor development schemes
- Ability to travel across the borough for site visits and meetings
- Skills & Knowledge
- Strong understanding of planning legislation (advanced at Level 10)
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences
- Sound judgement and decision‑making skills
- Ability to negotiate, problem‑solve and manage complex or sensitive issues
- Strong relationship‑building skills with internal and external stakeholders
Other requirements
This role requires some travel around our boroughs. You should have a valid driving licence or the equivalent mobility.
Our Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and Christmas shutdown)
- Hybrid/agile working from day one
- Local Government pension
- Healthcare Cash Plan for cash back on health treatments
- Cashback website access for savings on brands you love
- Volunteering days
- Free parking
Many of our colleagues work flexibly for us. We’re always open to conversations around different working arrangements. If you’re interested in part‑time, compressed hours or any other working arrangement, please get in touch with us through the Contact Us form on our careers website.
About Us
Chorley Council is dedicated to providing first‑class services and promoting the well‑being of the local community. Our staff are our greatest resource, at the heart of everything we do, and are crucial to the delivery of excellent services for our residents. At Chorley Council, we’re always striving to make our borough the best to live, work and visit.
Working Together
We share a number of our services with South Ribble Borough Council. This allows for improved resilience across both councils and provides numerous benefits to our operations. Whilst some staff and back‑end processes are shared between the Councils, both Councils still retain sovereignty and have separate strategies and corporate plans.
Additional information
Applicants are advised to apply early. We reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date.
Equal Opportunities
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discrimination and prejudice in all our policies, procedures, and practices. We’re committed to making our recruitment practices barrier‑free and accessible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long‑term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact us via the Contact Us page on our website. If you are disabled or your last employer was the armed forces, and you meet all the essential criteria of a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Planning Officer in Chorley employer: Chorley Council & South Ribble Council
Contact Detail:
Chorley Council & South Ribble Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Officer in Chorley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Chorley Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common planning scenarios. We should be ready to discuss how we’d handle specific cases or challenges in the role. It’s all about showing we’re the right fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. This helps us get comfortable with our answers and boosts our confidence when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, we can keep an eye on any updates or new opportunities that pop up.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Officer in Chorley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Planning Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our Development Management team!
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your degree or diploma in Town Planning, and any relevant qualifications. If you’ve got continued professional development under your belt, flaunt it! We love seeing candidates who are keen to grow.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to demonstrate your understanding of planning legislation and your communication skills. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our careers website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chorley Council & South Ribble Council
✨Know Your Planning Legislation
Brush up on your understanding of planning legislation, especially if you're aiming for Level 10. Familiarise yourself with recent changes and case studies that highlight your knowledge. This will show your commitment to the role and your ability to engage with complex issues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific planning scenarios or challenges. Think about past experiences where you've successfully navigated similar situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Planning Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to engage with different audiences, whether it's presenting to a committee or advising residents. Highlight any experience in public inquiries or community engagement.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer-Focused Approach
Chorley Council values a responsive, customer-focused service. Be ready to discuss how you've prioritised customer needs in previous roles. Share specific instances where you've gone above and beyond to ensure satisfaction, as this aligns perfectly with their ethos.