Senior Planning Officer

The Strategic Planning Policy and Specialist Advice Team is responsible for preparing the new Local Plan, plan monitoring and providing planning policy advice. Joining as a Senior Planning Officer, you will support the team and help to deliver the council’s statutory planning policy framework functions. As we approach the Local Plan examination stage, you will be part of the team as we prepare for and undertake the examination.

With preparing our new Local Plan, we need to balance the challenges of protecting and conserving South Gloucestershire’s built and natural environment with providing the homes, jobs and infrastructure our district needs. We are progressing with preparing our new Local Plan and expect to submit this for examination in September.

What you will be doing

• You will prepare examination evidence matter statements which present the council’s position and approach to policies and allocations in the Submission Local Plan.
• It will be key for you to prepare main modifications and statements of common ground, using your experience of liaising with and agreement of matters with adjoining authorities and government agencies.
• Regularly, you will review representations and examination evidence submitted by participants and formulate and prepare officer responses.
• Using your knowledge and experience, you will be part of the officer team providing expert witness roles at the Local Plan examination in public hearing sessions.
• It will be your responsibility to lead the commissioning and project management of external consultants and partners, producing technical evidence and supporting studies.
• As required, you will present at internal senior officer and political briefings, formal council meetings and external meetings relating to the work area.

What we need from you

• We require you to be educated to degree level or equivalent in a related subject e.g. town planning.
• It is essential that you have considerable relevant experience in planning practice, in particular relation to housing policy/supply, evidence and options for site allocations and key strategic/legacy sites would be desirable.
• You need to have experience of preparing for and giving evidence at Local Plan and/or Development Plan Documents examinations.
• You will be eligible or be able to work towards membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• You must have a clear understanding of planning policy and legislation as it relates to local plan making.

What you need to know

• This is a part-time role, working 18.5 hours per week. Your salary is pro-rata to hours worked.
• We are also offering this as an internal secondment opportunity; you should first seek your line manager's permission before applying.
• You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel, or public transport.
• Business insurance will need to be added to your insurance policy. You can claim back mileage expenses.
• This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Yate and working from home.
• Interviews anticipated week commencing the 23rd June 2025.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance. We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.

As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We’re planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses. We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. We’ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We’re making a difference, be part of it!