Planning Officer

South Gloucestershire Council; Yate; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

South Gloucestershire Council is seeking a Planning Officer to assess planning applications and provide informed recommendations to support sustainable growth across the district. You will join the Strategic Planning and Housing Division, undertake site inspections, prepare reports, and engage with applicants and committees.

The role is hybrid, based in Yate with some travel and regular office attendance. You should have a planning qualification, experience in planning processes, and familiarity

Qualifications

• Must have a planning-related degree or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of planning knowledge and understanding of processes.
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
• Experience with planning software and corporate systems (Teams, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Assess, process and evaluate planning applications and enquiries.
• Undertake site inspections and negotiations, prepare reports for planning committee.
• Prepare written appeal statements and present evidence at hearings.
• Manage a varied caseload with limited supervision, prioritising tasks.
• Assist with general enquiries and pre-application advice in a professional manner.
• Assist with development of planning policies and planning documents.

Skills

Planning degree

Planning software

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Education

Degree in town and country planning

Job description

How you'll make a difference

As a Planning Officer, you have the opportunity to contribute to shaping South Gloucestershire as a great place to live, work and invest. You will assess a range of planning applications and enquiries, helping to deliver sustainable growth and high-quality development across the district.

Our Strategic Planning and Housing Division brings together planning policy, development management and housing, to deliver economic and sustainable development within the council’s core strategy.

What you will be doing

• You will support the Development Management team assess, process and evaluate planning and related applications.
• Undertaking site inspections and negotiations, you will prepare reports and recommendations for planning committee.
• It will be your responsibility to prepare written appeal statements and, where required, present evidence at hearings and other planning proceedings.
• You will be managing a varied caseload, planning and prioritising work effectively while operating with limited supervision.
• A key aspect of your role will be assisting with general enquiries, including providing pre-application advice, in an efficient, professional and courteous manner.
• You will assist with the preparation and development of planning policies, guidance and related planning documents.

What we need from you

• It is essential that you hold a degree relevant to town and country planning, an equivalent qualification, or be able to demonstrate experience gained within a planning-related role.
• You will have relevant practical experience, supported by evidence of planning knowledge and an understanding of planning processes and procedures.
• You must be able to organise and prioritise your workload effectively, managing competing deadlines and responding to incoming enquiries a timely manner.
• We are looking for someone who has experience of using planning software packages and corporate systems, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook and other relevant database applications.
• It would be desirable if you had knowledge of planning legislation and current national and local issues facing planning.

What you need to know

• You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid drivinglicence with regular access to a vehicle (pool cars are available).
• If you use your own vehicle for council work, business insurance will need to be added to your insurance policy.
• This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Yate and working from home. You will be expected to attend the office regularly, including for team meetings.

Interviews will be held on 13th November 2026.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuineflexibilityto help them achieve thatwork/life balance
• What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos, the support and the training.
• We recognise that ourdiverse teamof skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.
• We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference be part of it!