Planning Officer / Senior Planning Officer

We are a large district authority, the first city in Essex, and it is an exciting and busy time to be joining us. In addition to the 2000+ planning applications that we receive each year we are also reviewing our Local Plan adopted in 2020 which sets out new proposed sites for strategic and local developments. The Chelmsford Garden Community is a growing development of 10,000 new homes and employment sites delivering new neighbourhoods, schools, country park and rail/bus/cycle connections. A second Garden Community to the East of Chelmsford is also proposed through the review of the Local Plan.

There is considerable pressure for development and the city is experiencing significant growth with new housing, commercial, leisure and retail developments taking place. We are passionate about quality and creating great places for our residents to live, work and play and are looking for an engaging and talented individual to join our busy Development Management Team to help us continue to deliver our residents ‘high expectations.

If you are an experienced and enthusiastic team player we can offer you opportunities to contribute to the continued success of our high performing planning service and allow you to develop your planning skills and career to achieve your full potential.

Salary will depend on qualifications and experience. Interviews are scheduled for 11/12 July.

Council benefits: competitive salary, career progression and training opportunities, professional fee payment, hybrid working, employee assistance package and generous leave entitlement

To find out more about this role please see the attached job pack. You can also call Sarah Hill-Sanders or Robin Hosegood on 01245 606826 for further information. 

As part of our accreditation with Essex Family Friendly Employers Charter, this full-time role can be offered on a job share or part-time basis, providing we are able to recruit to the remaining hours. Should this be of interest to you please state so in your personal statement. Further information on the family friendly charter can be found: https://www.essex.gov.uk/family-friendly-charter/family-friendly-employer-principles

Chelmsford City Council is committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups and expects all employees to share this commitment and have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services. The Council's Safer Recruitment process contains pre-employment vetting which includes safeguarding training, obtaining references and ensuring compliance with Disclosure and Barring Service process.