Planning Officer

Planning Officer – Development Management

Salary: Entry Level: £32,076 - £35,745, Higher Level: £35,745 - £40,221

Grade: I - JK

Contract: Permanent, Part-time and Full-time contracts available

Location: Hybrid - You can work from home and from one of our office bases in Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate, whilst you cover an allocated part of the region.

Our team…

The Council’s Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work. 

This is an extremely exciting time to join us as we move forward as the new North Yorkshire Council. Our all-new Planning service is at the heart of change and development within communities across our vast and varied geography, making it one of the largest Planning Services in the country. We will tackle diverse projects from domestic through to national infrastructure – offering opportunities for staff to develop expertise and contribute to projects that shape our area. If you are ambitious about your future in Planning this is a great time to join us as we invest in building a world class planning service, whilst being community focussed on a local level.  

We operate a hybrid model of working, offering the opportunity for our staff to work from home, but also from a base within your ‘patch’ to enable you to be fully immersed within the community in which you will provide your skills and expertise. Bases of work include Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate.

For more information about our planning service, visit our Planning Opportunities Page 

Role summary…

The role involves the provision of planning advice and managing a caseload of planning applications and related consents, including planning applications and appeals submitted under the Town and Country Planning Acts and other related legislation. In addition to attending Planning Committees and other relevant groups to present agenda items and represent the service. 

The post holder will help to deliver a proactive, customer focused and compliant ‘end- to-end’ development management service that meets statutory requirements. Including contributing to the delivery of excellent performance and customer service, planned outcomes, targets and objectives and continuous improvement.

Duties and responsibilities…

Planning Officer (Entry Level)

• Act as a case officer for householder, minor and other planning applications with often competing material considerations.
• Detailed assessment of application submissions, provision of advice on suitability for the proposed sites for the proposed development, advice on improvements to accord with national and local policies, sustainability and promotion of design and environmental quality.
• Undertake site inspections and attend site meetings as required.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post/grade as directed by your manager or any member of the Service Management Team.
• Keep up to date with planning regulations, policy and legislation.
• Promote excellent customer care that meets or exceed the expectations of stakeholders, Members, customers and the community, including advice to Members of the Council and the general public on planning and related matters.

Experience / Qualifications:

• Educated to A Level or equivalent
•  Ability to read and check accuracy of plans on site and in the office
•  Capability to work to tight timescales and to achieve targets
•  Good negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills
•  Preparing accurate and timely officer delegated reports and written responses.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise a workload.
• After the initial training provided to you, you will have an awareness and understanding of national and local planning legislation, policy and guidance and will have an understanding of key issues in planning and of the Council’s objectives.

Planning Officer (Higher Level)

• Preparation of reports for and occasional attendance at Planning Committee, Public Meetings, working parties, consultative fora and any other relevant groups, to present reports and represent the Service as required.
• Assist in dealing with planning appeal procedures, assist in the preparation of evidence and advice in respect of policy matters relating to appeals through Written Representations, Informal Hearing or Public Inquiry procedures.
• To negotiate community benefits from development proposals through legal agreements in line with Council policies including section 106 obligations and/or Community Infrastructure Levy payments
• Maintain continual professional development.

Experience / Qualifications:

•  A degree or qualification in planning or related subject.
•  Acting as a case officer on planning applications
•  Using experience of practical application to contribute to challenge, review and rationalise policies, procedures and work standards
•  Ability to resolve conflicting interests
•  Ability to interpret information and make balanced judgements in the public interest.
•  Ability to work under pressure and prioritise a workload
•  After your initial training with us, you will have a clear understanding of the role of planning and how it supports the delivery of the Council’s objectives, alongside an awareness of Council vision, values and priorities.

For more information, please visit our Campaign Site

What we can offer…

The service has embraced modern work practices, enabling colleagues to work from home, other offices and client premises. We come together as a team for development, connection and collaboration, otherwise we work where its most productive to do so. You will be provided with technology to enable efficient and effective work, ensuring that you are connected and well supported. You are provided with a comprehensive benefits package with an excellent employer defined pension scheme, enhance holidays, flexible working to help you thrive at home and well as work.

You will have the full support of the service to enable you to develop both knowledge and skills to help further progress your career.

Applying is easy, simply click on apply now, register your details, remove your personal details from your CV and upload by midnight on Monday 27^th May 2024.

Key Dates:

Closing Date: 27^th May 2024

Shortlisting: 29^th May 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 3^rd June 2024