North Somerset Council

Planning Officer

Company
Location
Weston-Super-Mare, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
3/26/2025
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
Description
About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

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 councils, 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

A broad knowledge of planning policy, legislation, processes and practices

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

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact David Ditchett, Applications and Consents Service Manager at

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Friday 02 May 2025.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

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.
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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