Planning Officer

South Hams District Council / West Devon Borough Council; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council in Devon seeks a Planning Officer to join their innovative Planning Service. The role offers the chance to work in a beautiful area, manage planning applications, and contribute to sustainable development. Ideal for those at the start of their planning career or looking to extend their experience.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Local Government Pension Scheme

Extensive Staff Benefit Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level in Planning or related discipline.
• Willing to work towards RTPI membership.
• Previous experience in Development Management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning applications, pre-applications, and appeals.
• Involve in wider projects across the Planning Service.
• Deliver high-quality developments and maintain excellent customer service.

Skills

Customer Service

Planning Knowledge

Development Management

Education

Degree in Planning or related discipline

Job description

We have a vacancy for a Planning officer in our Planning Service. We are looking for an ambitious planner seeking to make the first step in your career in planning or to extend your experience. West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils are shared authorities with an exciting, innovative, and forward-looking delivery model.

You will be working in a beautiful area of the country, combining the coasts and estuaries of South Hams with the outstanding landscapes in the shadow of Dartmoor National Park in West Devon. The areas are rich in biodiversity, with amazing landscapes, fantastic seaside towns and historic towns and villages. In West Devon we are part of the Devon and Cornwall Mining World Heritage Site and there are two National Landscapes across both areas. We think it`s a truly outstanding place to work, that will offer the right candidate valuable experience in a wide range of casework, and an opportunity to shape a sustainable future.

We have made lots of improvements to our service over the last couple of years with a new IT system which has brought enormous benefits. We have a positive and supportive management team and a friendly group of officers. The Council was recently subject to an LGA Peer Review. The Review was excellent for the Councils and the Planning Service was highly praised for its overall performance. As a new Planning Officer or Graduate Planner, you will have the opportunity alongside your day-to-day work of planning applications, pre-applications and appeals, to get involved in wider projects across the service.

You should be qualified to degree level (or equivalent) within a Planning or related discipline and be either, a member of the RTPI or willing to work towards membership. You will ideally have some previous experience in Development Management with the ability to deal with householder pre-applications and planning applications, however we also welcome applicants at the start of their planning career who are eager to learn and develop their knowledge as a planning officer. You will be committed to delivering high quality developments whilst ensuring performance and excellent customer service is always maintained.

In return, we can offer an environment which is supportive, where innovation is sought, and efficiency is key. We offer the following benefits in return:
• Working in an amazing part of the country
• Flexible working options (including remote working)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• An extensive Staff Benefit Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

For an informal discussion, or for further details about the role please contact Jac Houslander on 01803 861551 or email [e-mail] or Pat Whymer on 01803 861396 or email [e-mail].

Closing date: Wednesday 4 June 2025.