Planning Officer (Development Management) in Ashford

Salary up to £41,769 pa depending on skills and experience. Plus lease car cash alternative of £2,080 pa. Full time working on a 37 hours per week. 1 x up to 12-month temporary post to provide cover for maternity leave.

We are seeking a customer-focused Planning Officer to join our Development Management team. This role offers the chance to make a real impact on the future of our borough by helping deliver a high-quality and responsive planning service. This is a temporary fixed term contract position providing up to 12 months maternity leave cover ideally on a 37 hours per week basis but with flexibility for the right candidate. We offer the ability to work from home, helping you to balance your working and home life.

Working closely with local people, elected members, developers, and external organisations, you will be acting as case officer for a variety of allocated applications, assessing proposals and preparing recommendations, along with:

• Providing pre-application advice and responding to enquiries from applicants, agents, and the public.
• Preparing and presenting reports to Committee, depending on your grade and experience.
• Contributing to planning appeals, enforcement cases, and monitoring compliance with permissions.
• Liaising with Councillors, developers, consultees, and local residents in order to negotiate and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with planning legislation, Council policies, and national guidance.
• Dealing with planning appeals, and contributing to the development of Council planning policy.

To be competent in this role it will be essential that you have a Degree (or equivalent) and eligibility for, or currently undertaking, Royal Town Planning Institute (‘RTPI’)-supported postgraduate planning qualification and already have experience of planning applications, enforcement processes, and administration of planning controls, along with having:

• Knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and development industry.
• Strong negotiation, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to organise your workload, meet deadlines, and deliver excellent customer service.
• Experience of planning IT systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to visit sites independently across the borough (essential car user).
• The willingness to work outside normal office hours if required (including occasional weekends).

In addition, membership of the RTPI or working towards membership and experience of public sector planning, preferably within a Local Authority, is welcomed. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your career in planning within a supportive and forward-thinking team.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Roland Mills, Head of Development Management & Enforcement, on 01233 330556. Closing date: 9th February 2026. To apply please click on the apply button. When applying - Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email recruitment@ashford.gov.uk.

Hybrid Working - We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working.

Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.