Senior Planning Officer - Yate

The Strategic Planning Policy and Specialist Advice Team is responsible for preparing the new local plan, for monitoring and providing planning policy advice. As a Senior Planning Officer, you will support the team and help to deliver the council's statutory planning policy framework functions.

Preparing for our new local plan, we need to balance the challenges of protecting and conserving South Gloucestershire's built and natural environment alongside providing the homes, jobs and infrastructure our district needs.

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.
• You will present at internal senior officer and political briefings, formal council meetings and external meetings, as required.

What we need from you:

• You must 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 and supply, evidence and options for site allocations and it would be desirable for you to have experience with key legacy sites.
• You must have a clear understanding of planning policy and legislation as it relates to local plan making.
• We require you to have experience of preparing for and giving evidence at local plan and development plan document examinations.
• Working in this role will make you eligible to progress towards membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

What you need to know:

• 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.
• This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Yate and working from home.
• Interviews will be held on the 2nd July 2026.

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. What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos, the support and the training. 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!