Senior Planning Officer

St John; North East; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a Senior Planning Officer to manage complex planning applications from pre-application advice through to determination and appeals. You will work on major developments including housing, commercial, infrastructure and energy projects, and you may mentor junior officers while helping shape sustainable outcomes for County Durham.

The role supports flexible, hybrid working from our new office in Durham, with a strong local government pension and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or equivalent qualification.
• Professional qualification with RTPI (RTP I).
• Proven experience in planning and development management.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex planning applications from pre-application through to determination and appeals.
• Lead major developments across housing, commercial, infrastructure, renewable energy, minerals and waste sectors.
• Support development of junior officers and mentor colleagues.

Skills

Planning policy knowledge

Development management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Town Planning

RTPI membership

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for two experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officers to join our Development Management Team. We manage a diverse range of planning matters and are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable development across County Durham. Through early engagement and a pragmatic approach, we support the Council's growth ambitions and help shape thriving communities.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

As a Senior Planning Officer, you will manage complex planning applications from pre-application advice through to determination and appeals. You will work on a range of major developments including housing, commercial, infrastructure, renewable energy, and minerals and waste projects. You will also have opportunities to lead significant projects and support the development of junior officers, making a real impact on the future of County Durham.

For more information about our Planning Development Management Service, visit Working in Planning Development Management.

We encourage you to contact Steven Pilkington, Strategic Development Manager via email at [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant town planning qualification (G11) and have aProfessional qualification (RTPI) (G12).
• Proven experience in planning and development management, with a solid understanding of planning policies and procedures.
• The ability to work effectively on complex and large-scale projects.
• A passion for delivering high-quality, sustainable development in diverse environments.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to engage with developers, stakeholders, and the public.

WHY JOIN US?

• A Strong Team: Our Development Management team is dedicated to making a real impact on the growth and development of Durham. We handle around 4,000 planning applications annually, covering a range of exciting environments, including the Durham Dales, the Durham City World Heritage Site, and the stunning Heritage Coastline, as well as the towns and villages in between.
• Career Growth: Durham County Council offers a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in Planning. Whether you are seeking to progress your career or looking for your next challenge, we will support you to achieve your goals. As a Senior Planning Officer, you’ll have the opportunity to shape major projects, mentor junior officers, and gain exposure to complex planning proposals.
• Benefits & Flexibility: We offer a competitive salary, up to 32 days of annual leave, and the excellent Local Government Pension Scheme. Our flexible working options, including home and office-based working from our new and modern office accommodation at Corten House in Durham city, ensure a great work-life balance.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews are scheduled to be held on Monday 2nd or Tuesday 3rd November 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.