Planning Technician

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council; Reigate and Banstead; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in the UK is looking for a Planning Technician to support the Development Management Team. This role involves technical and administrative duties for planning applications and offering customer advice. The ideal candidate will have strong time-management skills and a passion for the planning system. It offers opportunities for remote work and participation in a supportive team environment. Competitive benefits and professional development opportunities are included.

Benefits

Competitive annual leave

15% contribution to LGPS pension scheme

Discounts for leisure memberships and stores

Qualifications

• Good time-management and customer-service skills.
• Passion for and knowledge of the planning and development system.
• Ability to work to deadlines independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driving license required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with technical and administrative support duties related to planning applications.
• Handle caseload of householder and minor planning applications.
• Provide pre-application and general advice to customers.
• Support the team in paperless working and meet deadlines.

Skills

Time management

Customer service

Knowledge of planning systems

Ability to interpret plans

Job description

Role Overview

Do you have an interest in planning, building and shaping the world around you? Are you looking for a new career opportunity in a forward‑thinking, ambitious, and commercially‑focused organisation? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Planning Technician to join our Development Management Team within the Planning service. Based at our recently renovated offices in Reigate but with regular working‑from‑home opportunities, agile working options and technology are fundamental in supporting you to be most at your most creative, and productive.

You would be part of an energised, friendly and supportive team which operates paperless working and handles around 2,000 planning and related applications received each year. You can expect to carry out various technical and administrative support duties as well as handle a caseload of householder and minor planning and related applications, which involves the assessment of the proposal and making recommendations on the acceptability of them. You will also provide pre‑application and general advice to customers both face‑to‑face, by email and telephone.

The role would be ideally suited to someone with good time‑management and customer‑service skills with a passion for and knowledge of the planning and development system together with an ability to interpret plans. Given the busy nature of the department the ideal candidate will be good at working to deadlines, on their own and as part of a team although full training and support would be given. A driving licence is essential although car ownership is not necessary as use of the Council's pool cars will be offered.

Local Government Reorganisation

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is part of the government's plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) scheduled to take place in April 2027. This means the current two‑tier system, where services are split between Surrey County Council and district and borough councils like Reigate, will be replaced with two unitary councils made up of East and West Surrey, which will handle all local services. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council will form part of the new East Surrey unitary authority.

Although this may lead to some uncertainty for anyone considering a role with us, this process will take some time and during that time we still need to provide services. When local government is reorganised, most staff will transfer to the new council(s) which may offer additional opportunities for career development and variety as part of a larger organisation.

Further information on LGR can be found here: Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and Devolution | Reigate and Banstead

Responsibilities

• Assist with technical and administrative support duties related to planning applications.
• Handle caseload of householder and minor planning applications, including assessment of proposals and making recommendations on acceptability.
• Provide pre‑application and general advice to customers face‑to‑face, via email and telephone.
• Support the team in paperless working and meet deadlines while working independently and collaboratively.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated good time‑management and customer‑service skills.
• Passion for and knowledge of the planning and development system, including ability to interpret plans.
• Ability to work to deadlines both independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driving licence (car ownership not required; council pool cars available).

Benefits

• Competitive annual leave.
• Contribution of 15 % towards the LGPS pension scheme.
• Access to discounts, including annual ‘Better’ leisure centre membership, local and high‑street store discounts and salary‑sacrifice schemes such as a cycle‑lease scheme.