Planning Officer
Guildford Borough is a regional centre for leisure, business, education, retail and culture. Guildford is a thriving market town that has maintained much of its historic character and is a principal shopping destination with a vibrant night-time economy. The town’s location provides excellent transport links as well as providing the balance of being surrounded by beautiful countryside, including the Surrey Hills National Landscape. All of these factors contribute to a quality of life that makes it one of the best places to live in the UK.
We want to appoint an enthusiastic and committed planning officer to join our skilled Planning Development Management Service which deals with a wide range of planning projects with a number of competing constraints including Green Belt, flooding, National Landscape and a significant number of Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas.
It is an excellent time to join Guildford, as we have a keen focus on preserving the Borough’s heritage and landscape whilst ensuring that the Borough provides high quality homes and access to employment. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of application types including householder applications and small minors. You may also have the opportunity to assist Principal Planning Officers on major projects and support team leaders in ensuring developments benefit the Borough and help maintain it as an attractive place to work and live.
What’s in it for you?
We are a diverse organisation, delivering a wide range of services and employing people with a broad range of skills. We want to attract the best staff, so we offer excellent benefits, including: a competitive salary; flexible working arrangements; an essential car user allowance; currently free staff parking, hybrid working, payment of one professional membership per annum, mileage allowance and training and development opportunities where required. See Staff benefits and pension - Guildford Borough Council for more information.
We also provide health and wellbeing initiatives, an employee assistance program and staff discounts off a range of well-known high street shops and supermarkets.
In this role you would:
- Be responsible for your own caseload of applications, pre applications and appeals and ensuring all developments are of the highest standard, with robust decisions.
- Present applications to Planning Committee and meet with prospective applicants and provide planning advice.
- Provide planning advice to internal and external stakeholders
- Be able to work independently and within a team.
- Ensure that you are meeting all Government and local deadlines for the determination of applications.
To succeed in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in dealing with people
- Proven ability to give sound advice and guidance
- Have an open minded and positive approach
- Excellent ability to reason, process information
- The ability to work independently and as part of a high performing team
- Excellent organisational skills
- The ability to adapt to change and use initiative
- The ability to learn and adapt to new systems and processes
- Be a good team player
Qualifications
Degree in a relevant subject is desirable or working towards one
RTPI membership desirable or eligible
Driving licence and eligible to drive in the UK
Interview date late March early April
If you do not hear from us within one week from the closing date you have not been successful on this occasion
If you would like an informal opportunity to learn more about the role, please email Justin Williams Area Team Leader justin.williams@guildford.gov.uk or John Busher Area Team Leader john.busher@guildford.gov.uk.
'From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley 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.
As we move toward this transition, we remain focused on delivering high‑quality, value‑for‑money services and staying true to our shared values: Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism.
Joining us at this point in our journey offers a unique opportunity. You will gain valuable experience, benefit from extensive training and development, and play an active role in one of the most significant local government transformations in the past 50 years. You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive organisation where your ideas and contributions will directly help shape the future of public services across West Surrey.
Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to provide excellent services for residents now and into the future.
If you’re looking for a role where you can grow, make an impact and be part of meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.'
Salary range
- £36,699 - £42,272 per year