Planner: £33,024 - £40,221 per annum (Career Grade)

Assistant Planner: £29,969 - £32,076 per annum

Would you like to help shape the future of East Suffolk?

We are currently looking for an Assistant Planner or Planner to join our Development Management Team.

With a population of a quarter of a million people, East Suffolk is a large and diverse district, ranging from the significant port towns of Felixstowe and Lowestoft to picturesque market towns, to stunning countryside and coastline, with a substantial part of the area falling within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Whether you are at the start of your career or looking for a change it is an exciting time to join us in East Suffolk. There are ambitious plans for growth coming forward across the district including new garden neighbourhoods and villages, regeneration projects and economic growth, alongside a number of nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects.

Working in the Development Management Team, you will be involved in a wide range and breadth of planning issues and with the proposed major changes to the national planning system it really is an exciting time to come and work with us.

Working alongside a number of other planning professionals, you will manage and assess planning applications and pre-application submissions and appeals in accordance with planning law, national and local policy and guidance. It will require good customer service skills working with applicants, other professionals and communities to negotiate and achieve good quality planning outcomes. The post will require some planning enforcement duties, as assigned, taking account of relevant legislation, policies and procedures of the Council. At Planner level you will take a central role in projects, alongside and supported by Senior Planners and Principal Planners in the team. At Assistant Planner level you would be involved in a similar range of projects at an appropriate level and with the support of the team to develop your planning knowledge and skills.

The Assistant Planner role provides an opportunity for you to attain a planning post-graduate qualification providing access to progress to Planner level and to become a full member of the RTPI. If you have a first degree in geography, social sciences or a related subject (other disciplines will also often be considered) this is an exciting opportunity to take forward your existing knowledge, skills and interests and embark on a career as a planner.

You will be an enthusiastic and committed individual, who has the ability to deliver in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

If you think you might have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all of the essential requirements, we want to hear from you and look forward to having the opportunity to consider your application.

The majority of our teams are working in an agile way, with a mixture of home and office working, depending on individual preferences and service requirements. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements if you were the successful candidate, please contact the recruiting manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

In addition to the rural and urban diversity of East Suffolk itself, the district is close to the large urban centres of both Norwich and Ipswich, with rail services providing access to the Council’s offices by train.

Why work for us?

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
• Local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes
• Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

To find out more

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Steve Milligan, Senior Planner, by either calling 01394 444416 or emailing steve.milligan@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Complete the online application and upload your supporting statement on our website by clicking on the 'apply button'

Closing date: 1 pm, 1 September 2024.

Interview date: TBC 

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.

We hugely value our staff and know that in order for us to remain successful, it is essential for us to recognise talented employees, developing and retaining them within the organisation. We are therefore committed to investing in our staff and providing first-class support to ensure a positive culture and rewarding careers.