Development Management (Planning) Apprentice

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is passionate about providing high-quality services to our communities, residents and businesses. This means we must employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people.

Situated within the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful district that boasts thriving market towns and many attractive villages, each with its own identity. We are an innovative and forward-thinking local authority whose residents are at the heart of our decision-making.

At HDC we want to employ staff who embody our icare values (Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Enterprising), all of which support our ultimate purpose of putting our customers first.

Are you curious about how places grow, change and evolve? Do you want to play a role in shaping the environments where people live, work and connect? We’re excited to offer an opportunity to join our Planning Service as a Planning Apprentice within our Development Management Team. This is your chance to begin a rewarding career in planning—gaining real-world experience while learning from experienced professionals in a supportive and collaborative environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Support the team in managing planning applications from start to decision
• Gain hands-on experience assessing proposals against planning policy and legislation
• Help prepare reports and recommendations that influence the future of local communities
• Work closely with residents, developers and colleagues—responding to enquiries and providing clear, practical advice
• Assist with planning investigations, meetings and community engagement activities
• Contribute to the smooth running of the service through a range of administrative and project tasks

No two days will be the same. You’ll develop a strong understanding of how planning shapes places—and the real impact it has on people’s lives.

About you:

• Enthusiastic and motivated, with a genuine interest in planning, the built environment or local government
• A clear communicator, able to engage positively with a wide range of people
• Organised and detail-focused, with the confidence to manage tasks and priorities
• Comfortable using IT systems such as Word and Excel
• Adaptable and keen to learn, with a proactive approach to new challenges
• A strong team player who is also confident working independently

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who is professional, approachable and excited about developing your skills while making a meaningful contribution to Huntingdonshire’s future.

This apprenticeship offers more than just a job—it’s a chance to build a long-term career in planning, develop valuable professional skills and be part of a team that genuinely makes a difference.

An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. HDC does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.

The closing date is 9am 19 June 2026 and interviews will be held the week commencing 29 June.

Hybrid work model allows employees to work remotely while enabling in-office collaboration opportunities across the district, with an expectation of being in the office at least two days a week. Some positions may require a more consistent presence in the office due to the nature of the work.

As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are a supportive workplace, enabled by an open, employee-led environment. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and, along with our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work-life balance.