Senior Planning Officer
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Ipswich Borough Council is seeking a Senior Planning Officer to help shape Town Centre regeneration and drive the Ipswich Local Plan from its early stages. The role involves preparing evidence base studies, monitoring and engaging with partners, and coordinating with neighbouring authorities.
You will bring a planning degree or equivalent, RTPI membership, and Local Plan making experience, along with strong project management and collaboration skills.
Qualifications
- Relevant degree or post graduate diploma or NVQ Level 6 in planning or related field.
- RTPI membership required or being pursued.
- Experience in Local Plan making and town centre policy.
- Strong communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.
- Experience with regeneration and place-based planning.
Responsibilities
- Shape the approach to Town Centre regeneration and develop evidence base studies.
- Monitor, engage with stakeholders and progress Ipswich Local Plan.
- Collaborate with neighbouring authorities and Suffolk County Council on strategic planning.
- Prepare guidance to expand planning policy and support allocations/master-planning larger sites.
- Work with developers and site owners and support the Development Management team.
Skills
Education
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to join Ipswich Borough Council at the start of Local Plan making journey under the new plan-making system and progress a programme of town centre regeneration. Following a re-structure and in light of these exciting workstreams, we are looking to expand our team with a motivated, ambitious senior planner.
About Ipswich
Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regional centres in England and is the largest centre in Suffolk for business, culture, entertainment and sports. A university town with a rich culture, heritage, elite sports teams and a thriving Waterfront. It is well connected to London and other parts of the country through strategic rail and road links.
The town is entering an important period, with the Council prioritising the delivery of key Town Centre regeneration and supporting the Ipswich City of Culture bid. Backed by successful Towns Fund investment and a strong regeneration pipeline, Ipswich offers a unique opportunity to help shape a vibrant, resilient and culturally rich town centre.
About the role
The role primarily involves shaping the approach to Town Centre regeneration and the preparation of evidence base studies, monitoring and engagement to progress into the next Ipswich Local Plan, which commenced in June 2026. By joining us now, you will play a key role from the earliest stages.
There is also significant opportunity to work collaboratively with neighbouring local authorities and Suffolk County Council on strategic planning matters. This role will allow the successful candidate the opportunity to further develop their skill set providing analysis and working to support other officers; report writing; project management; the opportunity to write guidance to expand on planning policy, and to get involved in helping to deliver allocations and regeneration by working with developers and site owners as well as input into master-planning larger sites.
In addition, the role will also afford the opportunity to work closely with the Council’s busy Development Management team.
About You
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Town Planner with a relevant degree or post graduate diploma or an NVQ Level 6 qualification in planning or a relevant field. Membership of the RTPI is required or actively being worked towards.
You will have previous Local Plan making experience.
In the context of a strong corporate emphasis on town centre regeneration and growth, we are keen to hear from candidates with experience of, or a strong interest in, town centre policy, regeneration and place-based planning. Effective project management and workload skills with a genuine passion for improving our built environment are a must. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders are essential.
Why work for us?
Your hard work will be rewarded with a fantastic benefits package, including a career average pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement of 26 days (increasing to 32 days after five years of service), full payment of annual RTPI membership subscriptions, free swimming and gym membership, and flexibility to work from home and in the office.
Excellent travel benefits, including free travel on Ipswich Buses, discounts on Greater Anglia rail season and flexi-season tickets, access to a cycle-to-work scheme, and subsidised parking in Ipswich Borough Council car parks for work and leisure.
We place a strong emphasis on personal and professional development and career progression. This is complemented by access to a supportive Employee Assistance Programme.
Join our vibrant team for hybrid working and seize the chance to shape Ipswich’s future. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a growing department that’s making Ipswich an even better place to live!
As well as a good salary, we offer a career grade average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, subsidised parking for work and leisure, public transport discounts, free swimming and gym membership, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.
For more information or any questions
Please contact the Planning Policy Team Leaders, Anna Roe on 01473 432911 or via email at anna.roe@ipswich.gov.uk; or Matt Deakin on 01473 432490 or via email at matt.deakin@ipswich.gov.uk;
If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.
Closing Date midnight on 17th September 2026
We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add, with the exception of supporting accessibility or learning needs. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
The selection process will involve an on-site assessment test for candidates who are selected for interview. Interviews are proposed to take place on either the week commencing 28 September 2026 or 5 October 2026 at Grafton House, Ipswich.
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Company: Ipswich Borough Council Salary: £44,253 - £46,579 Hours: Full-time Location: Ipswich, IP1 2DE Working pattern: Hybrid - 4 days remote Job type: Permanent Posting date: 26 Aug 2026 Closing date: 17 Sept 2026
This is an exciting opportunity to join Ipswich Borough Council at the start of Local Plan making journey under the new plan-making system and progress a programme of town centre regeneration. Following a re-structure and in light of these exciting workstreams, we are looking to expand our team with a motivated, ambitious senior planner.
About Ipswich
Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regional centres in England and is the largest centre in Suffolk for business, culture, entertainment and sports. A university town with a rich culture, heritage, elite sports teams and a thriving Waterfront. It is well connected to London and other parts of the country through strategic rail and road links.
The town is entering an important period, with the Council prioritising the delivery of key Town Centre regeneration and supporting the Ipswich City of Culture bid. Backed by successful Towns Fund investment and a strong regeneration pipeline, Ipswich offers a unique opportunity to help shape a vibrant, resilient and culturally rich town centre.
About the role
The role primarily involves shaping the approach to Town Centre regeneration and the preparation of evidence base studies, monitoring and engagement to progress into the next Ipswich Local Plan, which commenced in June 2026. By joining us now, you will play a key role from the earliest stages.
There is also significant opportunity to work collaboratively with neighbouring local authorities and Suffolk County Council on strategic planning matters. This role will allow the successful candidate the opportunity to further develop their skill set providing analysis and working to support other officers; report writing; project management; the opportunity to write guidance to expand on planning policy, and to get involved in helping to deliver allocations and regeneration by working with developers and site owners as well as input into master-planning larger sites.
In addition, the role will also afford the opportunity to work closely with the Council’s busy Development Management team.
About You
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Town Planner with a relevant degree or post graduate diploma or an NVQ Level 6 qualification in planning or a relevant field. Membership of the RTPI is required or actively being worked towards.
You will have previous Local Plan making experience.
In the context of a strong corporate emphasis on town centre regeneration and growth, we are keen to hear from candidates with experience of, or a strong interest in, town centre policy, regeneration and place-based planning. Effective project management and workload skills with a genuine passion for improving our built environment are a must. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders are essential.
Why work for us?
Your hard work will be rewarded with a fantastic benefits package, including a career average pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement of 26 days (increasing to 32 days after five years of service), full payment of annual RTPI membership subscriptions, free swimming and gym membership, and flexibility to work from home and in the office.
Excellent travel benefits, including free travel on Ipswich Buses, discounts on Greater Anglia rail season and flexi-season tickets, access to a cycle-to-work scheme, and subsidised parking in Ipswich Borough Council car parks for work and leisure.
We place a strong emphasis on personal and professional development and career progression. This is complemented by access to a supportive Employee Assistance Programme.
Join our vibrant team for hybrid working and seize the chance to shape Ipswich’s future. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a growing department that’s making Ipswich an even better place to live!
As well as a good salary, we offer a career grade average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, subsidised parking for work and leisure, public transport discounts, free swimming and gym membership, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.
For more information or any questions
Please contact the Planning Policy Team Leaders, Anna Roe on 01473 432911 or via email at anna.roe@ipswich.gov.uk; or Matt Deakin on 01473 432490 or via email at matt.deakin@ipswich.gov.uk;
If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.
Closing Date midnight on 17th September 2026
We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add, with the exception of supporting accessibility or learning needs. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
The selection process will involve an on-site assessment test for candidates who are selected for interview. Interviews are proposed to take place on either the week commencing 28 September 2026 or 5 October 2026 at Grafton House, Ipswich.
Please note CVs are not accepted.
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