Planning OfficerJobsGoPublic

How you'll make a difference

As a Planning Officer, you have the opportunity to contribute to shaping South Gloucestershire as a great place to live, work and invest. You will assess a range of planning applications and enquiries, helping to deliver sustainable growth and high-quality development across the district.

Our Strategic Planning and Housing Division brings together planning policy, development management and housing, to deliver economic and sustainable development within the council’s core strategy.

What you will be doing

You will support the Development Management team assess, process and evaluate planning and related applications.

Undertaking site inspections and negotiations, you will prepare reports and recommendations for planning committee.

It will be your responsibility to prepare written appeal statements and, where required, present evidence at hearings and other planning proceedings.

You will be managing a varied caseload, planning and prioritising work effectively while operating with limited supervision.

A key aspect of your role will be assisting with general enquiries, including providing pre-application advice, in an efficient, professional and courteous manner.

You will assist with the preparation and development of planning policies, guidance and related planning documents.

What we need from you

It is essential that you hold a degree relevant to town and country planning, an equivalent qualification, or be able to demonstrate experience gained within a planning-related role.

You will have relevant practical experience, supported by evidence of planning knowledge and an understanding of planning processes and procedures.

You must be able to organise and prioritise your workload effectively, managing competing deadlines and responding to incoming enquiries a timely manner.

We are looking for someone who has experience of using planning software packages and corporate systems, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook and other relevant database applications.

It would be desirable if you had knowledge of planning legislation and current national and local issues facing planning.

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 (pool cars are available).

If you use your own vehicle for council work, business insurance will need to be added to your insurance policy.

This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Yate and working from home. You will be expected to attend the office regularly, including for team meetings.

Interviews will be held on 13th November 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!

To view the full job description, please click this link: Planning Officer - Job Description