Planning Specialist

Base: Taunton (Deane House), TA1 1HE

Salary: £36,922 to £38,890 per annum (Grade H)

Job Ref: PSH​

Somerset West and Taunton Council is a forward thinking Council. We operate over a geographic area that includes Minehead, Wellington and Taunton, which is our Garden Town, Our vision for Taunton as a Garden Town is owned by everyone with a stake in its future and one key theme is the quality of our places and neighbourhoods.

We are looking for an RTPI qualified Planning Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be experienced in Development Management with an up to date knowledge of national and local planning policy, case law and legislation and an ability to produce well-researched and justified planning reports and pre-application advice. The focus of the role will be the two Urban Extensions at Comeytrowe and Staplegrove, which form part of the Garden Town, so it is essential you can handle your own case-load of major and complex applications and appeals, as well as being able to deal with a range of planning applications.

This is a key post in the Planning team and will assist in the delivery of the Garden Town.

We encourage applications from experienced Planners with strong professional skills, sound planning judgement and a good eye for design, as well as a commitment to customer care. The successful candidates will play an essential part in ensuring that the Council’s performance record is maintained and that there is ongoing improvement in the delivery of the service.

We offer a friendly working environment and flexible working hours, as we have an agile approach to the working week. Taunton and the surrounding area is a fantastic place to live, work and visit.

For more information regarding this post, please contact Recruitment at recruitment@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk

Benefits of working with the Council

The Authority offers flexible and agile working, with excellent technology to support this. The council offices provide a pleasant, comfortable and modern working environment and a fleet of pool cars for use on official business. The Council offer a generous annual leave entitlement as well as an option to purchase additional annual leave. Other benefits include the Local Government Pension Scheme, payment of professional subscription if required for the role, an Employee Assistance Programme, access to My Staff Shop which include salary sacrifice schemes, discounts and deals. Employees also are eligible for free use of the gym and swimming pool during off peak times and discounted gym and swimming membership at peak times. A relocation allowance may apply if eligible.

How to apply:

To apply for this role, please view our website by clicking on the 'Apply Button' and download and complete the Application Form and Recruitment Monitoring forms, in line with the Job Description.

Completed Application Forms and Recruitment Monitoring Forms should be emailed to applications@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk quoting the relevant job reference.

Please note we do not accept CVs.

Closing date for application forms: 5 October 2020 at 12pm

Interviews: w/c 12 October 2020