Senior Planning Officer

Epping Forest District Council; Ivy Chimneys; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Epping seeks a Senior Planning Officer to manage planning applications and projects, particularly in areas of Green Belt. The role demands relevant qualifications and expertise to ensure compliance with local planning policies while contributing to the ambitious growth outlined in the Local Plan. Hybrid working is encouraged, with a minimum office presence required.

Benefits

LGPS pension scheme

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Perkbox discounts

Wellbeing perks

Ongoing professional development

Flexible pay via Wagestream

Reimbursement of professional membership

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience and expert knowledge appropriate to the job role.
• Ability to analyse issues and communicate clearly in writing.
• Good understanding of technology for streamlined services.

Responsibilities

• Familiar with how planning applications are determined in the Green Belt.
• Deal with a range of planning applications and projects.
• Assist in the implementation of the Local Plan.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Technological proficiency

Education

Relevant qualifications in planning

Job description

Salary: £47,598 - £49,866

Contractual hours: 36

Basis: Full time

Region: Epping

Package: LGPS pension scheme, 28 days annual leave + bank holidays, Perkbox discounts & wellbeing perks, Hybrid working, Ongoing professional development, Flexible pay via Wagestream, Reimbursement of professional membership

Job category/type: Permanent - Full Time

Date posted: 03/09/2025

Job reference: EREQ000443

Epping Forest District is at an exciting time in shaping its future. We have an up-to-date Local Plan and a large number of allocated housing and employment sites coming forward now for consideration.

The Council seeks to pursue the maximum benefits of new development for its residents as well as ensuring it is of the highest quality. Planning Services have recently restructured to deploy additional resources to where they are most needed in the Development Management Team.

Job Summary

The Development Management service regulates the development and use of land and buildings in accordance with the relevant Planning Acts and the Councils planning policies. The team deals with pre-application submissions, planning applications and appeals, and is predominantly the front facing part of Planning Services, dealing with the majority of public enquiries and regularly presenting applications to planning committees.

We have considerable coverage of Green Belt across the District and we continue to receive a large number of speculative pre apps and planning applications for large scale development on proposed Grey Belt sites. This means that there are excellent opportunities to be involved in major development schemes and be at the forefront of shaping the district.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to be familiar with how planning applications are determined when located within the Green Belt. The Senior Planning Officer post will provide opportunities to deal with a range of planning applications and/or projects and all tasks associated with the business of the Service.

Candidates will need to be able to do this in an appropriate and efficient manner, as well as assisting the Council in the implementation of the Local Plan and the ambitious growth for the District set out within it.

Requirements

• Relevant qualifications and demonstrable experience and expert knowledge appropriate to the job role
• Ability to analyse issues and set them down in a variety of written forms in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to organise workload and tasks independently to ensure deadlines, performance targets and customer service commitments are met
• Good understanding of the use of technology for the delivery of modern and streamlined services and processes

The Council encourages hybrid working, but there is a minimum requirement to attend the Office once a month for Team meetings and other relevant training.

Epping Forest District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.