Planning Policy OfficerCouncil

Many planners never get to start a Local Plan from a blank page. We are about to. Chichester is preparing a brand-new Local Plan under the reformed plan-making system. It will decide where new homes, jobs and infrastructure go across one of the most beautiful, and most pressured, parts of the south coast. We want more planners to help make sure it is a success.

Our plan area runs from the harbours and coastline of the Chichester Harbour National Landscape and the Manhood Peninsula, around a Roman and cathedral city, and north beyond the South Downs to the Surrey border. Strong demand for housing, protected landscapes and wildlife, water quality and a changing coast mean the questions here are real, and the answers matter.

Planning is changing faster than it has for a generation, with a new National Planning Policy Framework, a new way of making plans and new strategic spatial development strategies. Local government in Sussex is changing too. With devolved powers comes exciting opportunities to influence at the strategic level and provide the infrastructure to deliver the required growth.

This is where planning careers are made. You will take ownership of your own topics right through the plan: research and evidence, assessing and choosing sites, drafting policy, running consultations and seeing it through examination, working alongside our Principal and Senior Planners. You will work with data and GIS, meet communities and parish councils, and present to councillors. If you want real responsibility early, you will get it here.

You will have a degree or postgraduate qualification in planning or a related subject and be a member of, or working towards membership of, the RTPI. We pay your main professional subscription and fund professional qualification training, so we will help you get chartered.

We have two positions available, both posts are open to job share applicants, and hybrid working is available.

For an informal discussion please contact Claire Potts on 01243 521274 or [email protected]

Employee benefits include:

• Excellent defined benefits Pension Scheme
• Minimum 26 days holiday going up to 31 days after 5 years (or before with previous service) plus paid Bank Holidays
• Flexi-time (available for most positions) - potential to build up an extra 13 days leave a year
• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and 9-day fortnight options
• Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their relatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme/Car and Cycle Loan Scheme/discounted city centre parking/ Lease Car Scheme
• Health & Wellbeing initiatives including free health checks and free eye tests plus subsidised leisure centre membership
• Payment of your main professional subscription fee
• Training and development opportunities – including funding of professional qualification training
• Staff Awards Scheme

Chichester District Council has a commitment to Equality of Opportunity in Employment. If you have a disability which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form please contact the HR team to assist you.