Planning Officer

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Bristol; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Bristol is seeking a Planning Officer for the Development Management Team. The role involves managing planning applications and appeals, providing advice to stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with development standards. The ideal candidate will have strong development management knowledge and be proactive. This position supports the Council's climate and ecological objectives, contributing to high-quality development across the district.

Benefits

Flexible work/life balance

Diversity and inclusion support

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong development management knowledge and skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
• Qualifications as a planner.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of planning applications.
• Assess and determine various planning applications.
• Provide advice to applicants and stakeholders.

Skills

Development management knowledge

Strong communication skills

Proactive approach

Education

Qualified planner

Job description

Salary: Planning Officer I £34,434 – £37,280 (Grade 7), Planning Officer II £38,220 – £40,777 (Grade 8).

About the Role

We are seeking a Planning Officer for the Development Management Team. The role involves managing a caseload of planning applications, appeals and pre‑application enquiries, assessing and determining a wide range of planning applications, providing advice to applicants and stakeholders, and ensuring that development proposals meet the highest standards. The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of high‑quality development across the District and support the Council’s climate and ecological objectives.

If you are interested in this post or would like more details, please contact Adrian Walker, Team Manager – Development Management, by email [e-mail].

Banes Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any redeployed individual on the Council’s at‑risk register (redeployee). If a redeployee expresses interest and meets the essential criteria, they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

About You

You are a proactive, qualified planner with strong development management knowledge and skills, able to work autonomously and as part of a collaborative team. For more experienced candidates the Planning Officer II role profile applies, while less experienced candidates apply under the Planning Officer I profile. The role covers Development Management, Planning Policy and Enforcement.

Interview date

20/01/2026

No Agencies Please

We do not use recruitment agencies.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council

Bath and North East Somerset Council is an area that includes the City of Bath, extensive green belt, national landscapes, conservation areas and heritage assets. The Council’s overriding purpose is to improve people’s lives. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services and communicate with residents.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council

We offer a wide range of benefits to ensure fair pay, flexible work/life balance and support. https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

Diversity and Inclusion

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity.

Disability Confidence

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW.

Safeguarding Statement

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with or without barred list checks.