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- Tasks: Assist in processing planning applications and providing development advice.
- Company: Join South Lanarkshire Council, a leading local authority in Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your planning skills.
- Qualifications: Recent planning graduate or equivalent experience in a related field required.
The predicted salary is between 37702 - 38779 £ per year.
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 11:55pm. Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.
Location: Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA
Hours: 35 hours per week
Work Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8:45am - 4:45pm and Friday 8:45am - 4:15pm
Salary: £37,702 - £38,779 annual salary
South Lanarkshire Council offers an exciting opportunity to work in one of the largest local authority areas in Scotland. The area combines strategic urban centres as well as a network of smaller rural towns and villages set within an extensive rural area that contains attractive landscape character and built heritage assets such as the New Lanark World Heritage Site.
An opportunity has arisen in the Council's Planning Service for a Planning Assistant. The successful candidate will be responsible for a varied workload of applications in one of the Council’s Development Management Area Teams, responsible for:
- Processing planning, advertisement, listed building and other statutory applications;
- Monitoring development approvals and consents and unauthorised development;
- Providing development advice to agents, developers and landowners;
- Preparing and presenting the Council’s case at appeals, inquiries and hearings;
- Preparation of reports to Committees;
- Contributing to the preparation of planning policies and strategies and contribution to the preparation and implementation of corporate and other Service strategies;
- Liaising with other sections within the Service to provide information and assistance as required;
- Responding to requests for information and assistance, participate in discussions as appropriate;
- Provide information and advice on planning matters to members of the general public, community and other organisations, Elected Members, developers, development agencies and other services.
The successful applicant should be a recent planning graduate or someone with equivalent experience in a related field and hold an RTPI accredited planning degree or a degree in a related built environment discipline. For this role you will be expected to demonstrate the Person Specification criteria and role Framework Behaviours as contained within the job profile.
Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents:
- What work and personal experience do you have which would make you the ideal candidate for this role?
- Give an example of a situation where you have worked with others to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Explain your own role in the process.
- What skills and experience do you have that demonstrate a customer focused approach to undertaking the role of a planning officer? Provide examples of when you have provided excellent customer service.
If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.
Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address.
Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.
Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.
Overseas Criminal Records Check: An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of three months in the past 10 years. Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement: The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position. As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile.
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
- Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
- To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
- Up to 33 days annual leave
- Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
- Occupational sick pay
- Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
- Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
- Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)
COMM ENT 4551 G2- Planning Assistant (608570 and 608571) - 4551-459379974 employer: South Lanarkshire
Contact Detail:
South Lanarkshire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land COMM ENT 4551 G2- Planning Assistant (608570 and 608571) - 4551-459379974
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research South Lanarkshire Council and its planning service. Understanding their values and recent projects can help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. Building relationships can give us insights into the role and even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about your experiences that showcase your teamwork and customer service skills. We want to hear how you've made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen. Plus, make sure to upload any supporting documents that highlight your qualifications and experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace COMM ENT 4551 G2- Planning Assistant (608570 and 608571) - 4551-459379974
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, make sure to read the job description from top to bottom. It’s packed with info about what they’re looking for, and it’ll help you tailor your application to hit all the right notes.
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: When you get to the questions part, take your time! Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Use specific examples to show off your skills and how you’ve worked with others to achieve goals.
Keep it Professional but Personal: While we want you to be yourself, remember to keep it professional. Use a friendly tone but avoid slang or overly casual language. Show your personality while still sounding like the capable candidate we know you are!
Submit Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application. Plus, make sure to upload any supporting documents as requested – this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Lanarkshire
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role of a Planning Assistant and the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Brush up on planning policies, development management processes, and any recent local planning issues in South Lanarkshire. This will show that you’re genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Experience
When answering questions about your work experience, be specific. Use examples that highlight your customer service skills and teamwork. Think of situations where you’ve successfully collaborated with others to achieve a goal, especially in a planning or community context. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively within the Council’s framework.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and customer-focused approach. Practice how you would handle requests for information or advice from the public or developers. Being able to articulate your thought process will impress the interviewers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Ask about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how the Council is addressing current planning challenges. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.