JOB TITLE Planning Officer
POST NUMBER 000591
WEEKLY WORKING HOURS 37
SALARY RANGE £33,699 to £37,105 pa – pro rata for hours worked
TYPE OF CONTRACT Permanent
LOCATION Stevenage / hybrid working.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is an exciting opportunity to work for an RTPI award winning team where by you can contribute to the sustainable development of the Country’s first New Town. The town is also going through significant transformation with a £1billion major regeneration project underway within Stevenage Town Centre. The Council is also embarking on the delivery of regenerating the towns local neighbourhood as well as deliver high quality, affordable homes for the local community. Therefore, you would play a key role in helping to deliver the Council’s aspirations.
Working within the planning team, you will predominantly be processing and determining planning applications, dealing with pre-application advice, certificate and other types of applications. You will be responsible for undertaking site visits, write reports and deal with planning related appeals. In addition, you will support the department in its function to enforce planning breaches and from time to time, to help support the Planning Policy team to deliver a new Local Plan as well as relevant policies and guidelines in order to guide the sustainable growth of the town.
ABOUT YOU
The successful candidate will have a qualification in Town Planning (or equivalent) or significant experience in a Town Planning Role. You will also need to demonstrate excellent customer care and demonstrate an aspect of high quality communication and organisational skills. The successful candidate must have the ability to present work of a high standard to strict deadline whilst under pressure. In addition, you must have excellent IT skills.
You will need to have a flexible and positive approach to work, along with some knowledge of planning legislation and guidance. We require a strong commitment to customer care and the ability to work effectively as part of a bust team.
OUR BENEFITS
• Pension Scheme: We offer a career average pension scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• Flexible working: available upon request, subject to operational requirements.
• Part time and Job share opportunities - all our full-time vacancies are open to job share unless otherwise stated.
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave, maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave.
• 25 days holiday rising to 31 days (depending on Local Government service)
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues
• Season ticket loans and discounts for public transport
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Stevenage Credit Union: secure savings, free life insurance and access to cheap loans.
• Employee Discounts: via monthly paid membership of the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
• Discounted Health and Fitness membership
• Trade Unions: For a small fee, all employees have the opportunity to join a Trade Union.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be made on online - please visit https://jobs.stevenage.gov.uk/StevenageBorough/Home
For an informal discussion about this role please contact
Name James Chettleburgh
Job Title Head of Planning and Enforcement
Phone Number 07593 528253
Email james.chettleburgh@stevenage.gov.uk
Closing date for receipt of applications: 7 September 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing: 15 September 2025
Please note that if we receive a large volume of applications for this role, we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the published closing date
Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, volunteers and recruitment candidates to share this commitment. SBC shall take all reasonable steps to employ staff who are safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. For posts identified with regular contact with these groups applicants will be required to undertake a Value Based Interview. The council supports the legislative requirements for employing and maintaining safer staff and the guidance specified by Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board
Stevenage Borough Council is committed to Equal Opportunities for All. For further information please click https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-the-council/equality-and-diversity
