Senior Planning Officer

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Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Do you want to work in a positive work environment where innovation is encouraged and celebrated? Would you like to work for a local authority which invests in its Team and is working hard to plan positively for the district’s future?

Who are we looking for?

We are an innovative authority investing in technology to support our journey, having recently launched ‘Let’s Talk Wealden’ to allow our communities to find out about the latest proposals for our area and let them ask us questions about what they think of our services.

Our Planning Hub is a new community space where people can come to view major planning applications and discuss their merits as well as Ask the Development Manager a question about Planning.

We publish frequent ‘Planning Pulse’ podcasts to get news and updates as we open up the conversation around planning, which includes Planning Policy and Development Management topics.

Located in East Sussex, close to Brighton and Eastbourne to the south and Royal Tunbridge Wells to the north, Wealden is a beautiful, predominantly rural area which includes small towns and picturesque villages, with a large part of the district being within the High Weald National Landscape. The combination of such an attractive area and proximity to larger urban areas in both Sussex and Kent present an interesting and challenging mix of planning issues to ensure that we provide for the needs of our residents both now and into the future.

What will the role involve?

We are looking for a Senior Planning Policy Officer who is enthusiastic, empathetic and an ambitious individual to join our busy team.

You will have a key role in the preparation and successful delivery of the Council’s new Local Plan and will be able to support both the Team Leader and Planning Policy Manager in managing new evidence base documents, drafting planning policies and considering development allocations.

We are developing innovative policies supporting our District’s journey to net zero as well as support for reversing the biodiversity crisis. We have enthusiastic, engaged communities, who are very active in Neighbourhood Planning who need support from us as they develop their plans.

What skills, knowledge and abilities do you require for the role?

You will be an experienced planning professional who has substantial experience in planning policy or development management setting with an excellent working knowledge of the planning system and specifically Local Plans.

As an individual, you will have the ability to work both independently and as a team, can maintain a positive and creative attitude to work tasks, as well as an ability to work well under pressure and meets deadlines.

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary & pension scheme.
• A friendly, supportive team.
• Opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Hybrid working.

For more information

For more information and an informal chat about the opportunities please contact James Webster on 07966 956815 or via e-mail at james.webster@wealden.gov.uk.

About Wealden

Wealden District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities, and all applications will be treated on merit.

Ethical Use of AI in Applications

We welcome innovation and do not automatically exclude candidates who use AI tools during the application process. However, we assess each application to ensure the candidate genuinely understands the role and its requirements.

AI may be used ethically and responsibly, provided it supports, rather than compromises our core values of integrity, transparency, and fairness. During assessments and interviews, candidates must present their own skills and experience without assistance from others, external resources, or AI, unless explicitly instructed otherwise.