COMM ENT 3258 G3 - Planning Officer (600539)

South Lanarkshire Council; Scotland; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental authority in Scotland seeks a Planning Officer to manage various planning applications and provide advice to stakeholders. This role requires an accredited planning qualification or relevant degree and a proactive approach to handling caseloads efficiently. The successful candidate will be involved in preparing reports and representing the Council at appeals. Benefits include generous annual leave, pension enrollment, and various employee discounts.

Benefits

Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme

Up to 33 days annual leave

Flexible working policies

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Must hold an accredited planning qualification or degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in planning processes and customer focus.
• Ability to work autonomously while managing caseload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage and process planning, advertisement, and statutory applications.
• Prepare delegated reports for the Planning Committee.
• Provide planning advice to the public and stakeholders.

Skills

Planning professional

Customer service

Team collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Accredited planning qualification or degree in built environment

Job description

COMM ENT 3258 G3 - Planning Officer (600539)

South Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Be the First to Apply

Job Description

Internal applicants MUST apply via Opportunity Marketplace. Please ensure you complete your SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS via “Me” tab/tile on Fusion or by clicking on the application link in the section of the application form titled “REVIEW SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS”.

ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by Sunday 25 January 2026 at 11:55pm.

Work Pattern: Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 4.45pm and Friday 8.45am – 4.15pm

South Lanarkshire Council offers an exciting opportunity to work in one of the largest local authority areas in Scotland. The area combines strategic urban centres as well as a network of smaller rural towns and villages set within an extensive rural area that contains attractive landscape character and built heritage assets such as the New Lanark World Heritage Site.

An opportunity has arisen in the Council's Planning Service for a Planning Officer. The Planning Officer role is pivotal in helping to retain the quality of place and to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective planning service.

The successful candidate will be responsible for a varied workload of applications in one of the Council’s Development Management teams, responsible for:

• Processing planning, advertisement, listed building and other statutory applications; monitoring development approvals and consents; providing development advice to agents, developers and landowners;
• Preparing and presenting the Council’s case at appeals, inquiries and hearings.
• Preparation of delegated reports and reports for the Planning Committee;
• Contributing to the preparation of planning policies and strategies and contribution to the preparation and implementation of corporate and other service strategies;
• Planning enforcement and related duties;
• Liaising with other sections within the Council to provide information and assistance as required.
• Providing information and advice on planning matters to members of the general public, community and other organisations, Elected Members, developers, development agencies and other services.

This is a vital role where you will be responsible for managing your own caseload in a timeous and organised manner. You will be expected to have a pro‑active approach and make best use of resources at all times, contributing to the continual improvement of the service.

The successful applicant should be a planning professional looking to take the next step in their career and hold an accredited planning qualification or a degree in a related built environment discipline. For this role you will be expected to demonstrate Job Specific and Behaviours as contained within the job profile.

Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents

• What work and personal experience do you have which would make you the ideal candidate for this role?
• Give an example of a situation where you have worked with others to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Explain your own role in the process.
• What skills and experience do you have that demonstrate a customer focused approach to undertaking the role of a planning officer. Provide examples of when you have provided excellent customer service.

If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.

Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address

Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of three months in the past 10 years.

Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Armed Forces Community Covenant

South Lanarkshire Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications from all members of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Scheme Employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria of the person specification job description.

South Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families which is set out in the Armed Forces Community Covenant. Veterans & Service leavers are guaranteed an interview who meet the essential criteria of the person specification job description.

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

• Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
• To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
• Up to 33 days annual leave
• Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
• Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
• Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
• Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVs IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM.

To be considered for this vacancy you must complete the application form. All CV submissions will be disregarded.

About Us

South Lanarkshire Council is the unitary authority serving the South Lanarkshire council area in Scotland. The council has its headquarters in Hamilton, has 16,000 employees, and a budget of almost £1bn. The large and varied geographical territory takes in rural and upland areas, market towns such as Lanark, Strathaven and Carluke, the urban burghs of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, and East Kilbride which was Scotland's first new town.

Our vision is for South Lanarkshire as set out in our Economic Strategy is to have one of the strongest and most dynamic economies in Scotland, where businesses, communities, and residents achieve their full potential and prosper.

We will achieve this through three key interrelated themes:

• People – skills, learning and employability
• Place – physical infrastructure and place
• Business – business development and growth

Job Info

• Job Identification 3258
• Posting Date 12/09/2025, 01:48 PM
• Apply Before 01/25/2026, 11:55 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Almada Street, HAMILTON, Scotland, ML3 0AA, GB
• Shift Pattern 35 hours per week (Mon - Fri)