Senior Planning Policy Officer

Surrey Heath Borough Council; Camberley; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

LGPS pension

Free parking

Subsidised gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

KAarp benefits discounts

Laptop and mobile phone provided

Job summary

Surrey Heath Borough Council is seeking a Senior Planning Policy Officer to join the Planning Policy and Sustainability Team and contribute to the Local Plan Review 2040.

You will lead on planning policy topics, work across urban and rural areas, and help deliver strategic policy with a flexible and hybrid working pattern. The role offers a supportive environment and opportunities tied to local government transformation in West Surrey.

Qualifications

• Must be enthusiastic and proactive town planner with experience in local plan-making, Planning Policy or Development Management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to take initiative in managing and driving forward projects.
• Prepared to lead on topics and contribute to Local Plan Review 2040.

Responsibilities

• Lead on topics and drive forward planning projects.
• Develop experience across Planning Policy in a Borough with urban and rural areas.
• Contribute to Local Plan Review 2040 delivery.
• Collaborate with the Planning Policy and Sustainability Team.

Skills

Town planning

Local plan-making

Planning policy

Development management

Communication skills

Education

Degree in planning

Job description

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time/Part Time

Hours: Up to 37 per week on a full or part-time basis

Join Surrey Heath Borough Council and be part of an organisation which is committed to delivery through meaningful community engagement and excellent customer service. We have a friendly and supportive staff culture with people who want to help make a real difference in our community for everyone that lives and works here. We support a culture of innovation and creativity by welcoming new ideas from everyone. We support a work life balance with options for flexible and hybrid working.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

From April 2027, Surrey Heath Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, as part of a major local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities: East Surrey and West Surrey. West Surrey will cover the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking.

While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future. When the new councils are created in April 2027, most staff will transfer to the new council on their current terms and conditions. Being part of a larger organisation may offer additional opportunities for career development and variety.

The Role

We are looking to recruit to a Senior Planning Policy Officer post within the Planning Policy and Sustainability Team. You will be joining a small, busy and friendly team responsible for the preparation of a new Local Plan and associated planning policy tasks. Now is a good time to join the authority as we have just started the production of a new local plan under the new plan-making system. The role provides the opportunity to develop experience across all aspects of Planning Policy in a Borough that contains both urban and rural areas, including areas of Green Belt.

You must be an enthusiastic and proactive town planner with experience in local plan-making, Planning Policy or Development Management. You will have excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills and will be happy to take the initiative in managing and driving forward projects. You will be prepared to take responsibility for leading on topics and will play an important role in the development and delivery of the Local Plan Review 2040.

Additional Information

We offer a generous benefits package including a minimum of 23 days’ annual leave rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, a generous local government pension scheme, free parking for all employees and payment of a professional membership fee. As well as subsidised gym membership at our local Places Leisure Centre, a cycle to work scheme and great savings from supermarkets, shopping, cinema tickets and holidays via the Kaarp Benefits scheme. A laptop and mobile phone will be provided for your role if applicable.

Provisional Interview date: 1st December 2026

For an informal discussion, please contact Jane Reeves, Head of Planning Policy and Sustainability on 01276 707213, or email: [e-mail]

Or Kate Galloway, Planning Policy and Conservation Team Leader, on 01276 707429, or email: [e-mail]

Our Commitment

Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. To fulfil this commitment, we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff.

Surrey Heath Borough Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please Note

All successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks in line with BPSS guidelines, which includes standard identification, referencing and unspent conviction checks. Surrey Heath Borough Council undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

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