Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Solihull Council is seeking a Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer to deliver major projects. This role involves leading development proposals, preparing detailed reports, and engaging stakeholders. We offer a flexible working environment, generous leave, and opportunities for professional growth in a supportive setting.

Benefits

Flexible and agile working

25-30 days annual leave

Generous flexitime scheme

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Family and carer friendly policies

Employee Assistance Programme

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Qualified planning professional or relevant degree required.
• Experience in major project delivery.
• Ability to prepare reports and act as expert witness.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage significant development proposals.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on complex proposals.
• Support processing of minor planning applications.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Planning Regulations

Communication

Education

Relevant Degree in Planning

Job description

Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer – Major Project Delivery

2 year fixed term contract

Solihull has an excellent opportunity for a Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer with experience of major project delivery to join our Development Management Group.

You will:

• Lead on significant & sensitive development proposals from pre-application stage to implementation
• Developing medium term strategies to ensure that projects/proposals are appropriately assessed & stakeholders involved at all stages.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and assessments on wide-ranging & complex proposals
• Present evidence in planning appeals including acting as expert witness at public inquiries.
• Support in the processing of planning applications for minor developments where necessary and as resource requires.

You will be either a qualified planning professional or have a relevant degree with experience in the field and will be required to carry out enforcement duties in the team including site visits.

So why Solihull? Well, there’s plenty going on to get you out and about in our beautiful borough.UK Central is one of the largest growth programmes in the country capturing development proposals for Birmingham Airport, Jaguar Land Rover, Arden Cross, HS2 and the National Exhibition Centre.In addition, we handle the range of work you would expect of an economically prosperous Authority with primary urban areas, rural villages and a high-quality Green Belt.

We are currently negotiating the complexities of delivering a revised Local Plan and we are also working hard to do what is needed to welcome the arrival of HS2.We pride ourselves in maintaining our historic and natural landscape, and delivering the best developments in the right locations, championing design quality, community benefits and green and blue infrastructure.

With such a big agenda, we are striving for planning services that are well resourced, fit for the future and geared up for delivery. We are after the brightest and best talent; commercially minded and emotionally intelligent.Your understanding of technical detail is important, but equally so is your ability to tell and sell our planning story.You’re going to need to be engaging, confident and dynamic with a can-do approach to public protection to help us rise to the challenge.

Applicants must also be able to drive, have a driving licence and be a car owner, however for disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required.

We also offer:

• A friendly, supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Flexible and agile working including hybrid working.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days and rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service in addition to public holidays and the opportunity to purchase up to 10 additional days holiday per year.
• A generous flexitime scheme (available for most roles) with up to 24 days flexitime allowed per year.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• A range of family and carer friendly policies.
• Employee benefits including subsidised travel passes, Cycle 2 Work Scheme, confidential Employee Assistance Programme, and staff discounts.

To apply, please click on the link below. If you have a specific question regarding this post, please [e-mail] telephone [phone] or Lawrence [e-mail] telephone [phone]

Closing Date:29 June 2025

Interview Date: w/c 7 July 2025

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Attached documents
Job Description & Person Specification