Planning Support Assistant

Preston Partnership; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi-time

Hybrid working

25 days leave plus bank holidays

LG Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted parking

Job summary

Preston City Council is recruiting a Planning Support Assistant to join the Planning and Building Control team on a fixed-term 12‑month maternity cover. The role is full‑time, with a salary of £26,016–£26,427 per annum, and involves supporting planning applications and providing technical/administrative help within a busy service.

We seek motivated, well‑organised individuals who can work to deadlines, use Microsoft Office and document management systems, and communicate effectively with the

Qualifications

• Good time management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and electronic document management systems.
• Excellent communication skills with a wide range of customers and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support to the Planning team.
• Assist in processing planning applications and related duties.
• Work to deadlines with effective time management.

Skills

Time management

Microsoft Office

Document management systems

Communication skills

Job description

Contract Type
Fixed Term- 12 Months- Maternity Cover

Closing Date
23.59 hours BST on Sunday 18 October 2026

Reference
DEDM03007

Planning Support Assistant
Full time, Fixed Term 12 months - Maternity Cover
Salary - £26,016 - £26,427 per annum

This is an exciting time to be working for Preston City Council and we are investing in our Planning service in order to deliver our corporate priorities and statutory duties. The city is facing significant changes and challenges with many new and high-quality developments occurring throughout the city, and the Planning Service is at the centre of much of what is happening. We are now looking to recruit a Planning Support Assistant within the Planning and Building Control team to undertake a range of functions relating to the processing of planning applications.

We are investing in our Planning service in order to deliver our corporate priorities. We are seeking enthusiastic, well organised and self-motivated individuals who can work as part of a team, but also individually using their own initiative to take up this role.

As part of your duties you will play a key role in supporting the Department, providing technical and administrative support to the Planning team. Previous experience and/or an understanding of the Planning process would be highly advantageous, but not essential.

You will be required to work to deadlines, therefore you must have good time management skills, an extensive understanding of Microsoft Office products and electronic document management systems. You must also have excellent communication skills to deal with a wide range of customers, including the public and professionals.

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi-time, hybrid working, a minimum of 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC's, Life Assurance Scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, cycle to work scheme and discounted bus and rail fares.

International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Phil Cousins, Development Management Team Leader on 01772 906584 or [e-mail].