Planning Officer
| Posting date: | 19 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £27,711 to £30,060 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Level 5:- £27,711 - £30,060 per annum, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 July 2025 |
| Location: | North Somerset, South West England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | North Somerset Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | HSCB0011 |
Summary
The Role
We are seeking a Planning Officer to join the Strategic Development (Majors) Team on a full time basis.
We are a well-staffed and high performing team that are responsible for facilitating and regulating land use changes in accordance with local and national policies and guidance. While this is a high-level description of what we do, we assess and decide planning applications to achieve the best planning outcomes. We must balance the competing interests of applicants and developers, neighbours, relevant stakeholders, and the public at large, as well as the economy and the environment.
North Somerset is a constrained area in planning terms with Green Belt, National Landscapes, extensive areas vulnerable to flooding, and other sensitive environments. Our challenges are wide ranging and as a result there will be plenty of opportunity to develop your career.
While this position is based in the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare, we operate a hybrid working environment. Most of the team predominantly work from home however, we attend the office as a team once a fortnight.
Key Responsibilities:
• Tasks relating to the processing and evaluation of planning and related applications (particularly the handling and assessing of ‘discharge of condition’ and householder applications).
• Preparation of reports under the officer delegation arrangements or to the committee.
• Site inspections, negotiation, and consulting with consultees.
• Manage effective relationships with applicants, agents, town and parish council’s, council employees, and the public.
• See the attached career grade structure for further information.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about planning, and who possesses the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria:
• Degree in Town and Country Planning or equivalent
• Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel
Desirable Criteria:
• Eligibility for membership of RTPI
• Customer service experience
• Experience of assessing ‘discharge of condition’ applications
What We Offer
At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact David Ditchett, Applications and Consents Service Manager at David.Ditchett@n-somerset.gov.uk
Interview Date: Friday 01 August 2025.
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Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.