Planning Support Officer

Planning Support Officer

City of London Full-Time 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the planning team by managing applications and consultations efficiently.
  • Company: Join a caring council dedicated to community growth and support.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong organisational and communication skills; customer service experience preferred.
  • Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on delivering excellent service.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough. As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vital role behind the scenes, providing the administrative and technical support that keeps our statutory planning service on track. Your work will help ensure that every application, consultation and decision is managed efficiently, transparently and in line with regulations - directly contributing to the growth and character of our borough.

Working Style: You'll be based in the Borough for 3 days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you're working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents' lives.

Responsibilities

  • Provide essential administrative support across all areas of the planning process, including registering and validating planning applications and coordinating public consultations.
  • Issue neighbour letters and site notices, upload consultation responses, and prepare decision notices and planning advice letters.
  • Ensure data is correctly entered, labelled and published in line with GDPR and local validation requirements.
  • Support enforcement and tree work applications, assist with committee report packs and provide administrative help for planning appeals.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for residents and applicants, handling enquiries by phone and email with clear, friendly and accurate information.
  • Maintain accurate planning records and data management to keep the service operating to high standards in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

What you’ll bring

  • Organised, motivated and able to manage a busy workload with exceptional accuracy.
  • Experience in a customer-focused role with strong communication skills; able to engage professionally with the public and colleagues.
  • Experience in a busy, customer-focused environment with a good understanding of how a local planning authority works.
  • Solid IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and use digital systems for data management and record keeping.
  • Team player who takes initiative, collaborates effectively, and demonstrates core values of Putting Communities First, Respect, Integrity and Working Together.

Why join us

  • At RBKC, we’re all in—investing in our people, our communities and our future.
  • Join a supportive, high-performing planning department that values professionalism and innovation, with structured career pathways, mentoring and access to training.
  • Competitive salary, generous annual leave and pension, and the satisfaction of knowing your work keeps one of London’s most dynamic planning services running efficiently.
  • Work in a team that values collaboration, encourages creativity and takes pride in delivering excellent service to residents.

About us

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.

This role is a perfect example of our 'we're all in' approach. You'll be the backbone of our planning service, ensuring every process runs smoothly and every resident receives a clear, transparent experience. Your precision, adaptability and dedication will help turn daily challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement - both for you and the service.

Interview Details

Interviews will take place in person the week commencing 24 November 2025.

Ready to join us? We're all in - are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will start at the minimum of the salary range. Employees receive annual salary increases until they reach the top of the pay scale. In addition, employees will receive any agreed cost of living pay rises.

Planning Support Officer employer: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

At RBKC, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions directly impact the community. With structured career pathways, mentoring, and access to training, we invest in your professional growth while providing competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a commitment to work-life balance. Join our dedicated planning team in one of London's most dynamic boroughs, where your role as a Planning Support Officer will help shape a greener, safer, and fairer future for all residents.
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Contact Detail:

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Planning Support Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the planning sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for your interview by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re genuinely interested in how our planning service operates and how you can contribute to making a difference in the community.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills! As a Planning Support Officer, you'll need to engage with residents and colleagues effectively. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and clarity.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our borough.

We think you need these skills to ace Planning Support Officer

Administrative Support
Data Management
Customer Service
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Organisational Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Understanding of Local Planning Authority
Team Collaboration
Initiative
Adaptability
GDPR Compliance
Public Consultation Coordination
Record Keeping

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Planning Support Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to our planning service and support the community.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role requires managing a busy workload, be sure to demonstrate your organisational abilities in your application. Share examples of how you've successfully handled multiple tasks while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Communicate Clearly: Strong communication is key for this position. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us that you can engage professionally with both residents and colleagues. Remember, clarity is crucial!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application reaches us quickly and allows you to easily track your application status. Plus, it’s super straightforward!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

✨Know Your Planning Basics

Familiarise yourself with the local planning authority's processes and regulations. Understanding how applications are registered, validated, and processed will show your commitment and readiness to contribute effectively.

✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled enquiries in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate clearly and professionally, as this is crucial for engaging with residents and applicants.

✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills

Be ready to discuss how you manage a busy workload. Share specific strategies or tools you use to stay organised, especially in high-volume environments, as this role requires exceptional accuracy and efficiency.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

Think of instances where you've worked effectively within a team. Discuss how you take initiative and support your colleagues, aligning with the core values of Putting Communities First and Working Together that the council upholds.

Planning Support Officer
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Location: City of London
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