OR120705 – Planning Officer

Barnet Council; Edgware; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planning Officer role supports Barnet Council’s Planning and Building Control service, ensuring timely, cost-effective delivery of high-quality planning work. The position allows rotation across planning specialisms, giving exposure to multiple areas while maintaining service standards.

A typical day involves case management, reviewing planning documents, advising stakeholders, and coordinating with residents and colleagues. Office days are fixed, with some travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning, town planning or a related local authority service.
• Understanding of planning processes and relevant procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to quality, performance standards and cost-effective service delivery.
• Flexibility to work across different planning specialisms.
• Ability to attend the office on fixed days and travel when required.

Responsibilities

• Managing and progressing planning-related work within the assigned team or specialism.
• Reviewing planning applications, documents and supporting information, depending on the area of responsibility.
• Providing advice and guidance on planning matters to relevant stakeholders.
• Liaising with colleagues, applicants, residents and other relevant parties.
• Monitoring workloads and ensuring work meets agreed deadlines and performance standards.
• Supporting different areas of the planning service through the rotation programme.
• Attending meetings and travelling when required to deliver Council services.
• Working collaboratively with the wider Planning and Building Control team.

Skills

Planning experience

Communication skills

Organisation

Independent and collaborative work

Flexibility

Job description

Work pattern: 3 days remote with complusory 2 days in the office on Tuesday & Wednesday.

PAYE Pay Rate: £24.84 per hour

Main Purpose of the Role

The Planning Officer will support the delivery of Barnet Council’s Planning and Building Control service, ensuring work is completed efficiently, cost-effectively and to the required quality and performance standards.

The role is general within the planning service, with officers expected to lead on specific areas of work. A rotation programme allows officers to gain experience across different planning specialisms and contribute to the Council’s wider planning objectives.

Typical Day Overview

• Managing and progressing planning-related work within the assigned team or specialism.


• Reviewing planning applications, documents and supporting information, depending on the area of responsibility.


• Providing advice and guidance on planning matters to relevant stakeholders.


• Liaising with colleagues, applicants, residents and other relevant parties.


• Monitoring workloads and ensuring work meets agreed deadlines and performance standards.


• Supporting different areas of the planning service through the rotation programme.


• Attending meetings and travelling when required to deliver Council services.


• Working collaboratively with the wider Planning and Building Control team.

Key Skills and Responsibilities

• Planning Support: Contribute to the effective delivery of the Council’s planning service.


• Case Management: Manage and progress assigned areas of planning work.


• Communication: Provide clear information and liaise professionally with colleagues and stakeholders.


• Organisation: Manage workloads, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.


• Performance Management: Deliver work in line with agreed quality standards and performance targets.


• Teamwork: Work across different planning specialisms as part of the rotation programme.


• Problem-Solving: Assess planning issues and identify appropriate solutions within the assigned area.


• Service Improvement: Contribute to delivering services efficiently and cost-effectively.


• Flexibility: Adapt to different responsibilities and travel outside the borough when required.

Essential Requirements and Qualifications

• Experience in planning, town planning or a related local authority service.


• Understanding of planning processes and relevant procedures.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.


• Commitment to quality, performance standards and cost-effective service delivery.


• Flexibility to work across different planning specialisms.


• Ability to attend the office on fixed days and travel when required.